Siamak Namazi

Siamak Namazi endured a challenging 2,898 days of captivity in Iran’s notorious Evin Prison before his release in September 2023, earning him the highly uncoveted distinction of being the longest-held American hostage in Iran.

Before his captivity, Siamak held executive roles advising multinational firms on market entry, risk mitigation, and public affairs across the U.S., Middle East, and Africa. He has led strategic planning for an Emirati energy company, headed two consulting firms, and co-founded an NGO focused on entrepreneurship training. He has also held fellowships at the Wilson Center, the National Endowment for Democracy, and the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). Additionally, Siamak has contributed chapters on energy and geopolitics in six books and is a frequent media commentator.

Today, Siamak is dedicated to advocating for the release of hostages and for the need to put in place policies that deter hostage diplomacy. He also speaks on resilience, leadership, and the management lessons drawn from his years in captivity.

Siamak holds an MBA from the London Business School, an MS in Urban Planning & Policy Development from Rutgers University, and a BA in International Relations from Tufts University.