Samar Ali

Vice-Chairperson
Development Committee Chair

Samar Ali holds professional experience as a lawyer, conflict mediation practitioner, social entrepreneur, and CEO. Currently she works with Millions of Conversations as the Founding President and CEO, with Vanderbilt University as a Research Professor in Political Science and Law, and as the Co-Chair of Unity Project & American Democracy. She is the vice-chairperson of GFP USA.

Samar also sits on several board communities including: WinROCK International; Council on Foreign Relations; Young Global Leader at the World Economic Forum; Foundation for Society Law & Arts in South Africa; Nashville Metro Council Human Relations Commission; Tennessee World Affairs Council; NPR’s Nashville Affiliate, Nashville Public Radio; and Vanderbilt Law School Board of Advisors.

In addition to her current roles, she also works as the Director for Lodestone Advisory Group. Her past experience includes: International Counsel at Bass Berry & Sims (2016-2021); Partner at Bone, McAllester, Norton PLLC (2014-2016); Adjunct Professor & Visiting Scholar at Vanderbilt University, School of Arts and Sciences (2012-2017); Legal Advisor at Baker Donelson (2014); Assistant Commissioner for International Affairs at State of Tennessee, Department of Economic and Community Development (2012-2013); Advisor/Senior Staff at United States Department of Homeland Security (2010-2012); White House Fellow at The White House (2010-2011); Associate Corporate Group at Hogan Lovells US L.L.P. (2007-2010); Law Clerk at South Africa Supreme Court of Appeal (2007); Law Clerk at U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit (2006).