Siamak Namazi endured a challenging 2,898 days of captivity in the infamous Evin Prison before his release in September 2023, earning him the unfortunate distinction of being the longest-held American hostage in Iran. Prior to this ordeal, his career spanned various sectors, including consulting and non-profit work. He provided assistance to major multinationals in strategy development, market entry, and external affairs across the MENA region while also engaging in track-2 diplomacy and championing human rights initiatives. He has been a fellow at the Wilson Center for International Scholars, CSIS, and the National Endowment for Democracy. He has also appeared as a commentator in the international media, including CNN International, BBC World, The New York Times, The Financial Times, Fortune Magazine, Forbes Magazine, The Washington Post, and Business Week, among others.