Meet Our Staff

Christopher McLaurin, Executive Director of the Abraham Path Initiative, is an innovative and creative leader in the nonprofit community. Having spent his career building and supporting projects that bring people from diverse communities together, he strongly believes in API’s vision of a future in which the Middle East is known as a world class destination for walking trails, hospitality, and transformative experiences. 

Previously the Executive Director of the California Youth Symphony, under his leadership the organization had unparalleled success in both expanding its programs and representing Silicon Valley’s commitment to arts education internationally through its tours and live-streamed concerts. During his tenure, CYS both dramatically increased applications and quadrupled financial aid along with restoring the orchestra to robust financial health after the effects of COVID-19. McLaurin secured the largest gift in CYS’s history, along with creating CYS’s first endowed scholarship fund. McLaurin increased the organization’s contributed income threefold and led the update of the organization’s governance and administrative structure, including the adoption of new by-laws, policies, and new committee structures.

A former musician in the Kansas City and New World Symphonies, having served as a board member for three years in the former, he has performed on three continents as well as on Grammy nominated recordings. Mr. McLaurin is a graduate of the Juilliard School and San Jose State University.

Ravenel Khashram, Director of Communications and Operations, is a key partner to the Executive Director and the primary liaison to API’s contractors, consultants, and board of directors. She brings regional expertise and a deep commitment to cross-cultural storytelling to the team. At API, she leads content strategy, digital outreach, and program development, with a focus on amplifying the stories and impact of the organization’s grantees, Fellows, and partners.

Originally from South Carolina (USA), Ravenel is based in Jerusalem, where she has previously worked with Churches for Middle East Peace, the Polis Institute, and the Bookshop at the American Colony Hotel. She holds an MA in Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and a BA, Phi Beta Kappa, from the University of South Carolina.

Reilly Tifft, Grant Writer, supports the Executive Director as a frontline advocate for API, writing grant applications and reports, conducting prospect research, and developing relationships with philanthropic foundations.

Reilly is a native Virginian now based in Massachusetts (USA). He previously worked in fundraising at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum and Casey Trees, an urban forestry non-profit. He has a BA, International Honours, from the William & Mary (USA) –  University of St. Andrews (UK) Joint Degree Programme. Outside of work, he enjoys running, backpacking, and walking on trails both remote and close to home, as well as reading everything from general history to nature writing to literary classics.