Mark Arabo

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Mark Paul Arabo (born February 17, 1983) is a Chaldean Catholic businessman, San Diego community leader, and global humanitarian. He advocates for Iraqi Christians and greater US engagement in Iraq, and he has spoken to national media about the plight of religious minorities there.

Arabo rose to prominence for his humanitarian work. He founded the Minority Humanitarian Foundation to help Iraqis safely leave the country and to provide aid to those who stay. The foundation has helped thousands of people in Iraq and Syria and has connected with tens of thousands of displaced Assyrians since ISIS attacked the region. He has pressed the US government to recognize and protect minority communities, including efforts that contributed to the State Department’s 2016 designation of Christians as genocide victims.

In addition to his humanitarian work, Arabo has been a strong advocate for small businesses. He led efforts in the Neighborhood Market Association, focusing on supporting local retailers against large corporate interests. He has also pushed for public safety measures, such as body cameras for police, and he has spoken out on issues like immigration reform and local governance.

Arabo has held several public service roles. In 2019, Governor Gavin Newsom appointed him to the California Workforce Development Board to help implement federal workforce programs. In 2023, he joined the board of the 22nd District Agricultural Association, which oversees the Del Mar Fairgrounds, and in 2024 he was appointed to the State Racetrack Leasing Commission, which operates the Del Mar Racetrack.

Politically, Arabo has supported President Joe Biden since early in his campaign, serving on the Biden fundraising committee and as a California delegate at the 2020 Democratic National Convention. He also served as a 2024 at-large delegate for Vice President Kamala Harris at the Democratic National Convention.

Arabo comes from an Iraqi Christian family that immigrated to the United States. His family ran a chain of supermarkets in San Diego, and he trained in marketing and advertising after earning a Bachelor of Science in Integrated Marketing Communications from San Diego State University. He earlier attended Valhalla High School and began his career with Anheuser-Busch in San Diego.

In 2025, San Diego State University awarded him an honorary doctorate, and he delivered the commencement address for the Fowler College of Business. He lives in San Diego with his wife, Randa, and their four children. His brother, Auday Arabo, ran for the California State Assembly in 2008.