Meet Rafia Khader, one of the newest staff members of the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy.
Roles: Program Manager at Lake Institute on Faith & Giving and Research Assistant & Managing Editor at the Muslim Philanthropy Initiative (MPI)
Responsibilities: “As a program manager at Lake Institute, I will assist in planning the logistics for the Executive Certificate in Religious Fundraising (ECRF) seminars and trainings. As the managing editor for the MPI, I will work with Dr. Shariq Siddiqui, the Director of the MPI, in compiling articles about Muslim philanthropy in the United States and worldwide, as well as philanthropic interactions between Muslims and non-Muslims.”
Goals: “I hope that we can build long-term resources, institutions, and knowledge for the future.”
Work experience: College Preparatory School of America, Administrator at the Mohammed Webb Foundation in Chicago, Illinois (The Mohammed Webb Foundation is named after one of the first Anglo-American converts to Islam)
Educational background: B.A. Economics from Benedictine University, M.A. Religious Studies from the University of Chicago Divinity School
Most excited for: Learning more about philanthropy at the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy.
“I want to deepen my knowledge about philanthropy. I’ve become really interested in this field and how it is so multidisciplinary. I studied economics, then I studied religion. It wasn’t until I came here that I realized how those two seemingly divergent fields might go hand-in-hand through the study of faith and giving.
“I’m also excited and humbled to be here and I’m looking forward to the work that my supervisors have been working on for the past couple of years. I think the work we are going to do will resonate with a lot of people.”
Favorite things about Indianapolis: “I like that in Indy, you get a taste of city life but it’s smaller as well. People are also incredibly friendly.”
Fun fact: “I love Cake Bake and Quirky Feather Confectionary. I enjoy sweets in general!”
Stay tuned for Friday’s post, which will feature Rafia’s reflections from a recent Executive Certificate in Religious Fundraising course.
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