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.

Alice Clough, Development Coordinator, focuses on supporting API's Membership programme. She has a professional background in development and humanitarian organisations, as well as an academic background in heritage, with a particular focus on long-distance cultural routes. She is an avid hiker and passionate about the power of long-distance trails and their stories in fostering intercultural connections.

Before joining API, she worked for the World Food Programme (WFP) in Italy and Kenya, and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Iraq and Panama.  She has recently completed her studies for an MSc in Cultural Heritage Futures at the University of Edinburgh. Alice also holds a Master's degree in International Cooperation and Development from Università Cattolica del Sacre Cuore, Milan and a BA in History from the University of Bristol.