NCI's Founding Board Members

Peter F. Asaad, Chairman of the Board
Attorney At Law

President and Managing Member of the law firm Immigration Solutions Group, PLLC, Peter F. Asaad, is a recognized and trusted authority on complex areas of U.S. immigration law.  Listed in the 2006-2007, International Prestige Who's Who of Outstanding Professionals, Mr. Asaad has been recognized "for his demonstrated leadership and achievement in his profession."  Mr. Asaad has been invited to present and speak on various complex immigration law issues for the Washington Post, the District of Columbia Bar, the American Immigration Lawyers Association, as well as for other institutional bodies and news media groups.  He has been a guest for numerous radio shows and television news media as an expert on immigration.  Previously, Mr. Asaad served as Lead Counsel for WJLA ABC News Legal Resource Center.

Currently, Mr. Asaad represents U.S. companies and multinational corporations to help manage effective streamlined immigration programs.  He advises clients on all business-related and employment-based visa matters including various I-9 compliance issues on a day-to-day basis.  Also, Mr. Asaad regularly advises congressional staff on behalf of his clients on what companies need to facilitate their goal in securing and maintaining the best and brightest talent for innovation and corporate economic growth.

On the forefront of immigration law and policy, Mr. Asaad provides guidance to the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Immigration regarding employer related issues and concerns which arise out of balancing labor, security and immigration laws.  Also, Mr. Asaad Chair's a committee of the American Immigration Lawyer’s Association for the District of Columbia to further education for new immigration lawyers.  Additionally, Mr. Asaad serves on a DC Bar Steering Committee and is an appointee of the U.S. attorney defense panel of the District of Columbia – selected to the position by judges of the Court.  Born in Chicago as a first generation American to Egyptian immigrants, Mr. Asaad brings personal insight to the issues confronting foreign nationals from various countries and cultures and the employers who employ them.

Vaishali Udupa, Vice Chair
Attorney At Law

Ms. Udupa practices in the area of intellectual property law, with primary emphasis on IP litigation at the law firm of Jones Day. She has been involved with patent prosecution matters including utility and design applications in many different product fields. She also has significant experience in litigation matters involving patent infringement and defense in cases concerning consumer products, bar code scanners, and wireless communications. Ms. Udupa gained technical experience prior to her law career when she worked as a project engineer for a mechanical contracting firm in Alexandria, Virginia. She is admitted to practice in Virginia, the District of Columbia and before the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

Michelle O. Crosby, President/Executive Director

Michelle Crosby has extensive knowledge of business and nationality visa processing. She is a graduate of The American University School of International Service focusing on International Economic Relations with a minor in Violin Performance. Ms. Crosby’s writing is published in the critical thinking journal Inquiry for her co-authored article “Nurturing the Relational Promise of Critical Thinking.” In addition to her academic and professional pursuits, she is an accomplished professional violinist. She has been concertmaster of several area orchestras and recently performed Max Bruch’s Violin Concerto No.2 with The American University Symphony Orchestra. Ms. Crosby speaks advanced level French and basic level Turkish.