THE TEAM

Jim Arkedis, El Jefe

Chief Executive Officer & CO-FOUNDER

Jim Arkedis' career blends foreign policy, human rights, and politics as an activist, film producer, and political operative.

He currently spends the majority of his time running an international political campaigning firm, counting NGOs, political parties, and candidates among his clients in the United States, Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East.

From 2002-2007, Arkedis was a counter-terrorism and counter-intelligence analyst at the Pentagon. From 2007-2012, he ran the Progressive Policy Institute's National Security Project, a center-left think tank specializing in US foreign policy. In 2014, he published his first co-authored book Political Mercenaries in 2014 by Palgrave MacMillan.

Daniel Dart, The Wildcard

Chief Strategy Officer & CO-FOUNDER

Daniel is an accomplished changemaker and entrepreneur. He has created some of the world’s most significant national and global initiatives for the world’s most prestigious institutions. These include the White House under the Obama Administration, Bezos Family Foundation, United Nations Refugee Agency, and more.

Daniel has worked on-the-ground helping build equity and social movements in Western Sahara, Gaza, Syria/Lebanon, among others. He has worked on electoral campaigns in the United States, as well as directed a feature-length documentary on Tunisia’s transformation to democracy following the Arab spring. He is a true multi-hyphenate, always using his creative industry skill-set to develop robust platforms to drive systems change.

Before getting involved in social change work, Daniel was a singer, producer, and music composer who contributed to multiple blockbuster hits (including Stepbrothers with Will Farrell & Get Him To The Greek with Jonah Hill & Russell Brand). He also conducted publishing and management services for the likes of Seal, Weezer, & Crash Kings. He is also the founder and singer of rock band ‘Time Again’ which earned a Gold Record, toured the world dozens of times, and built a legion of loyal fans.

Shaun Michel, The Dot Connector

Head Of Strategic Partnerships

I am a Southern California native who believes that every voice, however small or marginalized, has the potential to shape our communities. And, that voices united together can create real change no matter where they are in the world. From growing up playing basketball all over California – playing in the richest to the most underprivileged neighborhoods – to leading people from all walks of life in during my time in retail management, I am blessed to have been given the opportunity to build connections with people from all walks of life. These perspectives shape everything I do, from my current career in business consulting to the work we do here at Indispensable.

Miguel Torres, The Journeyman

Head of Production

Miguel Torres is a multi-award winning Producer & Camera Operator with over 25 years of video production experience. Miguel graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Radio, Television & Film from California State University, Northridge with a concentration in Film Production. His valuable expertise as a Camera Operator, Editor, and Producer, as well as a Public Relations figure has led him to produce and shoot all across the United States. In 2008, he formed Angel Flight Media, a multi-media video production company that has produced nationally recognized memorable moments for major clients.

Mac Dressman, The Young Gun

Research Associate

Mac Dressman is an enterprising journalist, researcher and activist focused on North Africa. He is an undergraduate senior at Georgetown University pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service with a major in International Culture & Politics and a minor in French. Although early in his career, Mac has done regional development work in in Saint-Omer, France, research on the Iraq War for the National Security Archive in Washington, D.C., and freelance journalism in Morocco. Mac helps secure funding and does research for Indispensable’s documentary on Tunisia’s transformation to democracy.

Advisory Council

“If You Want to Go Fast, Go Alone. If You Want to Go Far, Go Together”

— African Proverb

These are the people who help guide us, push us, and keep us accountable along the way.

We are infinitely thankful for them.

Mike DerhamMichael Derham is a Partner with Novam Portam. He has previously covered Emerging Markets at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, as well as on Wall Street, and began his career as a journalist with LatinFinance magazine. Additionally, M… — **Mike Derham**
Michael Derham is a Partner with Novam Portam. He has previously covered Emerging Markets at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, as well as on Wall Street, and began his career as a journalist with LatinFinance magazine. Additionally, Michael has advised political campaigns in the US and the Emerging Markets on economic policy and strategy. Michael is a Term Member of the Council on Foreign Relations, and a Fellow of the Truman National Security Project.

Sidney OlinykSindey Olinyk is the Founder and CEO of Duco. Sindey's career spans national security, technology, and organizational management. Sidney is a former Obama Administration political appointee and mostly recently served as the Chief of Sta… — **Sidney Olinyk**
Sindey Olinyk is the Founder and CEO of Duco. Sindey's career spans national security, technology, and organizational management. Sidney is a former Obama Administration political appointee and mostly recently served as the Chief of Staff for Middle East Policy in the Office of the Secretary of Defense. She holds an M.Sc. in Global Politics from the London School of Economics and dual B.A. from American University in Washington, DC.

Stacy ClossonDr. Stacy Closson is a non-resident Global Fellow with the Wilson Center's Kennan Institute and a Senior Adjunct Professional Lecturer at American University. She has been a Senior Fulbright Scholar in, Taiwan, worked as a political mil… — **Stacy Closson**
Dr. Stacy Closson is a non-resident Global Fellow with the Wilson Center's Kennan Institute and a Senior Adjunct Professional Lecturer at American University. She has been a Senior Fulbright Scholar in, Taiwan, worked as a political military analyst in the Department of Defense, and as a professor in academic institutions in the UK, US, and Taiwan. Dr. Closson received her PhD in International Relations from the London School of Economics and has published articles and papers on geopolitics, energy security, and state building. Her newest co-authored book with MIT press is 'Energy, Economic Growth, and Geopolitical Futures: Eight Long-Range Scenarios.'

Kristina WilforeAs Principal of Karakoyun Strategies, Kristina has worked with a diverse set of political leaders and change agents in over 25 countries throughout Europe, Eurasia, the Middle East and Africa -- in hotspots such as Ukraine, Syria, Ke… — **Kristina Wilfore**
As Principal of Karakoyun Strategies, Kristina has worked with a diverse set of political leaders and change agents in over 25 countries throughout Europe, Eurasia, the Middle East and Africa -- in hotspots such as Ukraine, Syria, Kenya and Afghanistan. She teaches grassroots organizing, political party development, and how to win campaigns from East to West. With a special emphasis on women’s political participation, she works all across the globe to help women find success in politics.