Berkley Center

Filiz Odabas-Geldiay is the executive director of International Association for Human Values and the director for government relations for the Art of Living Foundation, both founded by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and affiliated with the United Nations. Odabas-Geldiay also serves on the board of The Office of His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. Formerly Washington correspondent for a Turkish daily and executive director of an international NGO, she worked closely with UNICEF in mobilizing children globally to help the needy in their communities. She is the recipient of the American Hero award from American University (Washington DC), was nominated for the People Who Make a Difference Award by Helena Rubinstein, Inc. and was most recently honored with the Vishalakshi award by the Art of Living Foundation. She received her MA and BA from American University (Washington, DC) and studied Economics and History at St. Aldates College in Oxford, England.