Israeli Arab Entrepreneur Reem Younis visited Chicago last week on business and was gracious enough to spend June 17th and 18th making presentations and attending meetings facilitated by the Consulate. The highlight of the visit was a presentation and discussion, Chaired by CEO Howard Tullman, at Chicago’s premier start up hub, 1871. Ms. Younis spoke about her hi-tech company, Alpha Omega, whose technology helps surgeons implant electrodes in the brain that can significantly reduce the tremors of Parkinson’s disease. The company has been extremely successful, with clients in major hospitals and medical centers around the world.
Ms. Younis and her husband Imad, both graduates of the Technion, (where they met), also spoke about the obstacles she Imad faced back in 1993 when they were trying to work in Israeli hi-tech companies but could not because at that time most of those companies were involved in developing technology for the military. Since they could not find a job in existing companies, they decided to start their own: Alpha Omega, in their home town of Nazareth.
Ms. Younis is also very focused on and concerned with the advancement of the Israeli Arab community through education which will lead to good jobs in the hi-tech industries. She sits on many boards and is active in community organizations in Nazareth and the Galilee.
Besides 1871, Ms. Younis also toured and met with representatives of MATTER, a new community of health care entrepreneurs and industry leaders (also located in the Merchandise Mart) who have joined to fuel the future of heal care innovation.
Ms. Younis also met with leaders of Jewish organizations, representatives of Christian organizations as well as several Israeli universities with offices in Chicago. There was also a meeting with a select group of Arab Americans who are also interested in helping Arab communities in Israel.
Ms. Younis welcomes visitors to Nazareth, both to tour Alpha Omega and to meet the local Christian community. Ms. Younis’ e-mail logo reads: Dreaming of a better tomorrow for all…”
She impressed everyone with whom she met in Chicago, that these are words she lives by and does her utmost to transform dreams into reality.