DEARBORN – ACCESS CEO Hassan Jaber announced today that Maha Freij, previously the organization’s deputy executive director and chief financial officer, has been appointed to serve as the executive director of the 48-year-old organization.

Former finance director Wisam Qasem Fakhoury has been promoted to CFO, and Jaber, who has been at the helm for the past 12 years, will remain as CEO.

“For the past 39 years, it has been an honor to work with this talented and dedicated team of change makers,” Jaber said. “Maha is an incredible leader whose innovation has been the driving force behind the development and growth of ACCESS’ national institutions and initiatives. This was an effortless decision for me as Maha and Wisam have been doing this work for years and these changes reflect their leadership and scope of work. Maha’s vision for an empowered and engaged Arab American community and both her and Wisam’s commitment to maintaining a robust and sustainable institution will allow us to serve our constituents for years to come. I look forward to our continued growth with them in these new roles.”

Freij began her tenure at ACCESS in 1991 and was promoted to deputy executive director and CFO in 2007. She led all fundraising and capital campaigns for the organization for both brick and mortar projects and endowments, including the first-ever Arab American National Museum, and also founded the Center for Arab American Philanthropy (CAAP) in 2005.

“I am honored and thrilled to have been appointed to this new role and look forward to continuing to work diligently with Hassan, Wisam and the rest of the remarkable leadership team to build on the momentum of ACCESS’ values, mission and vision,” said Freij in a press release.

“With such a devoted and passionate team, I am confident that we will achieve our strategic priorities while continuing to take our work from the neighborhood to the nation.”

“Leading ACCESS’ financial systems into its next chapter and continuing to build on Maha and Hassan’s legacy is an incredible honor,” Fakhoury said. “Maha has set an amazing example in driving innovation and long-term sustainability. I look forward to growing this work even further.”

Both will assume their new roles effective immediately. For more information about ACCESS and its programs, visit ACCESSCommunity.org.