About Us
The Alliance for Intercultural Understanding (AIU) is an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening communication, understanding, and collaboration among cultures—both within the United States and globally. We believe in the power of dialogue and education to break down cultural barriers and create a foundation for peaceful and sustainable coexistence.
Our team is made up of professionals with decades of experience in education, program management, community development, and humanitarian work. Together, we support and implement projects focused on social justice, education, and intercultural exchange.
Our mission is clear: to build bridges between nations, support vulnerable communities, and create space for every voice to be heard.
Our Board
The strength of our organization lies in the dedication, expertise, and shared vision of our board members. Each member brings a unique background and a deep commitment to fostering intercultural understanding, educational equity, and community empowerment.
With decades of combined experience in education, international development, technology, and public service, our board leads with purpose and integrity. Together, they guide our mission and ensure that every initiative we pursue reflects our core values of compassion, collaboration, and global awareness.
Anthony Agnello
Founder and President
Anthony Agnello is the founder and president of the Alliance for Intercultural Understanding. The AIU aims to bridge divides in America and enhance international communication. Mr. Agnello also serves as the president of the Friends of Afghanistan, supporting veterans’ organizations and US-based NGOs in Afghanistan. Throughout his lengthy career as an educator and community advocate he has served as a school board trustee and union president, managing multimillion-dollar budgets on both sides of the negotiating table. As a retired educator, he co-founded his community’s Veterans Memorial Park Committee and received their Post of Fame Award. Mr. Agnello was selected as the Buffalo Bills/M&T Bank Teacher of the Year for his international efforts during Operation Enduring Freedom, which included the construction of six schools for Afghan girls. Additionally, he received the Dr. Clifford Harkins Distinguished Citizen Award from his undergraduate alma mater, Northern Arizona University, recognizing his lifetime of humanitarian service.
Terry Dougherty
Co-Founder and Vice President
Terry Dougherty, our Vice President and Treasurer, brings over 40 years of diverse experience in teaching, sales, and technology management across various industries, including higher education and consulting. His extensive background includes roles as Chairman of the Board for the Indiana Center for Middle East Peace and Treasurer for Friends of Afghanistan, Inc. Additionally, he has contributed as a founding board member of SOLA School of Leadership Afghanistan and provided volunteer support for Afghan Refugee Resettlement with Catholic Charities Fort Wayne, Indiana, showcasing his commitment to humanitarian efforts. Terry is highly skilled in developing and managing distance education, information systems, and administrative services in higher education, along with successful implementations of internet systems and expertise in information services managemen
Elia Ahadi
Vice president
is an experienced AI Product and Program Manager with a proven track record of delivering scalable AI solutions across government, healthcare, and tech sectors. With expertise in leading cross-functional teams and deploying cloud-native AI systems, Elia has launched machine learning products from 0 to 1 and scaled them organization-wide—driving measurable improvements in efficiency, data quality, and cost savings. He has held leadership roles at the USDA, Bayer Pharmaceuticals, and Moov Fitness, and brings a global perspective from working in the U.S., China, Japan, and Afghanistan. Elia holds advanced degrees in engineering from Stanford and Johns Hopkins, and is certified in AWS, PMP, and AI product management.
AIU Inc
About Us
We assist organizations that promote mutual understanding, global cooperation, and peaceful solutions to complex issues; our goal is to connect hearts beyond borders.