Nora is an experienced leader, a notable groundbreaker, who established Cell Marque Corporation. For 20 years, she led her biotechnology company into global acclaim, becoming one of America’s great success stories. It was recently acquired and now is a division of Merck Pharmaceutical. With a lifelong passion for Assyrian traditional arts, Nora strongly believes that the arts are a powerful bridge connecting the past to the present. Having a clear vision and time, she was inspired to establish AAI, after receiving enormous encouragement from exceptional individuals and scholars, who are now serving on AAI’s Board of Directors and Advisors. Nora commits 100% of her time increasing awareness of the vast Assyrian cultural legacy, to create understanding and appreciation for the world’s oldest civilization and its relevance for today. She promotes up and coming Assyrian artists and produces an innovative platform to showcase talent. Nora is married to Dr. Michael Lacey and has 2 daughters, Sarah and Roshel Aghassi.