Leila Bekri,
Executive Director
Leila Bekri is executive director of International Focus, where she works closely with the organization’s board, staff and partners to foster multicultural understanding. Since assuming her current role in 2020, Leila has led International Focus through a strategic plan, staffing expansion and organizational restructuring to better align the group’s activities with its vision and goals.
Leila’s career spans more than 20 years in international educational and cultural exchanges in the nonprofit sector in Raleigh and the surrounding Research Triangle area. She has managed numerous short and long-term programs and built strong partnerships with local, national, and international stakeholders. She works closely with the U.S. Department of State on its premier professional exchange program, the International Visitor Leadership Program. IVLP has brought hundreds of emerging leaders from around the world to N.C. to learn from area business leaders, journalists and government officials.
In recognition of her role in expanding awareness of cultural diversity, The News & Observer named Leila as a “Tar Heel of the Week.” International Focus also has won various awards and nominations for peace, diversity, mentorship, and programming excellence under her leadership.
Leila holds an M.A. in International Studies from North Carolina State University and B.A. in legal studies from the Faculté des Sciences Juridiques, Politiques et Sociales de Tunis. She enjoys the arts, road trips, and volunteering with local nonprofits. A native of Tunisia, Leila is fluent in English, French and Arabic.
John Thoma
Accounting
John Thoma, retired Chief Executive Officer, joined the nonprofit Transitions LifeCare in 1991 as the Director of Finance and Information Systems. John became CEO in 2002 and served on the Board of Directors and Board of Trustees.
John graduated from Boston University with a degree in Spanish Language and Literature and has continued his education and training at the Tufts University Department of Urban and Environmental Policy and the Harvard Business School.
John is passionate about maximizing the impact nonprofit services bring to diverse communities and the importance of thriving mission-driven organizations. John is very active at the regional, state and national level, and has served on numerous boards and committees including the United Way of the Greater Triangle, the Association for Home and Hospice Care of North Carolina, and the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization.
Samuel Josephson
IVLP Program Coordinator
Samuel Josephson, a native of North Carolina hailing from Cary, holds a dual bachelor's degree in political science and international studies, specializing in Global Governance, Human Rights, and International Law from Western Carolina University in Cullowhee. Currently serving as the IVLP Program Coordinator at International Focus, he spearheads the design and execution of International Visitors Leadership Program visits to the Triangle region, while also contributing to social media, website, and newsletter development. Samuel's passion for international affairs, citizen diplomacy, and cultural exchange led him to International Focus, where he's driven by a deep appreciation for the organization's mission, values, and community. Beyond his professional endeavors, Samuel dedicates time to his fiancé and training his beloved dog, Lulia, whilst also indulging in his love for reading.
Leila Bekri
Executive Director
Leila was born in New York City and raised in Tunis. Her father’s diplomatic service took her family to the U.S., Europe, and West Africa before moving back to Tunisia. Being exposed to a multitude of cultures and places at an early age, she cultivated a pluralistic perspective which she later reinforced through her education, work, and passion for world affairs.