Newport Global Summit Delegation Joins ABANA Dinner in Celebration of Global Dialogue
Lotfi Karoui, Chairman of ABANA, Dina Powell McCormick, Vice Chair, President & Head of Global Client Services of BDT & MSD Partners, and His Excellency Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, Managing Director and Group Chief Executive Officer of Mubadala Investment Company at the ABANA 2025 Achievement Awards Dinner
The Newport Global Summit delegation was honored to join global leaders at the recent ABANA Dinner, supporting ABANA’s mission to build bridges of understanding and alignment through business opportunity. The evening was a celebration of shared values—dialogue, innovation, and cross-cultural collaboration.
We were proud to feature the exquisite fashion of AVA (Ala Von Auersperg), whose designs reflect the grace and strength of women leading with purpose.
The evening was further enriched by the presence of Carolyn Rafaelian, steward of Belcourt of Newport—a living symbol of heritage and reinvention. Her commitment to preserving and reimagining Newport’s cultural landmarks mirrors the Summit’s mission to honor legacy while advancing innovation.
The delegation was proudly supported by leading Rhode Island startups, including REGENT, whose pioneering work in sustainable maritime mobility is actively shaping business opportunities in the Middle East. Their engagement reflects the spirit of bold entrepreneurship and global connectivity that defines the Newport Global Summit.
Together, we continue to champion purposeful leadership, elevate meaningful partnerships, and celebrate the power of shared vision.
Guests at the Newport Global Summit table included (Left to right): Aaron Guckian (front row); Dwane Shillings (top row), Managing Director at Raymond James; Erin Donnovan Boyle, CEO of Greater Newport Chamber of Commerce; Ralph Isham, Founder and Managing Director of GH Partners, LLC; Stuart Sundlun; Robert Agresta, Partner, McLaughlin & Stern, LLP; Ala Isham, Founder of AVA (Ala Von Auersperg) and Co-Founder of National Center for Victims of Crime; Kitty Cushing, Founder and President of Newport Global Summit, and Carolyn Rafaelian, Founder of Rafaelian, Inc. and owner of Belcourt of Newport.
Special thanks to those who attended and supported our table at the ABANA Annual Dinner. We look forward to continuing these conversations and building bridges between Newport, New York, and the Middle East!
