Meet the new Chief Executive Officer of AKF USA
The leaves are changing and so are the faces around the office at Aga Khan Foundation U.S.A. This month, we welcome our new Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Mirza Jahani (pictured above on right), who brings with him fresh ideas and energy to strengthen the growing U.S. branch led by Iqbal Noor Ali (pictured above on left) for the past 25 years.  Dr. Tom Kessinger, General Manager of Aga Khan Foundation, based in Geneva, is pictured above in center.

Mirza has a rich and extensive history in the development field with experience working in government and in nonprofit management.  As a former AKF CEO in Kenya, London and Tajikistan, he is well-versed in the values motivating the work of the Aga Khan Development Network and the complexity of issues surrounding the work we do. After 15 years with AKF, Mirza went on to work in the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development, tackling similar international problems from a different angle. However, soon Mirza began to see a discrepancy between the large-scale strategies of government policy and the changes taking place on the ground. He became infused with a desire to dissect and understand the recipe for aid effectiveness – how can we ensure that our efforts are helping those who need them most? This aspiration coupled with his familiarity with the holistic project approaches implemented by the AKDN ultimately drove him to return to the AKF family this month.

Returning to AKF, Mirza finds an unchanged sense of purpose, resolve and enthusiasm in the organization’s work and extensive volunteer network. “Volunteer service is an expression of humanity,” Mirza says, and he is continually amazed by the dedication of the AKF volunteers throughout the world. Informed by his previous roles in international development, Mirza returns to the Foundation with a vision for rigorous and accountable programs, for a work environment that fosters learning and growing, and for a two-way knowledge bridge connecting Aga Khan Foundation U.S.A. with the developing world.

Atlanta and Los Angeles Walks
In Atlanta, this year’s Partnership Walk quickened its pace, adding a 5K Run around Centennial Olympic Park to its normal list of Walk Day activities, and 322 runners met the challenge. Simultaneously, on the other side of the country in Los Angeles, Partnership Walk celebrated its 15th anniversary on the historical Santa Monica Pier. Between these two events alone, 10,000 participants raised over $1,000,000 for AKF programs that fight disease, hunger and illiteracy in developing nations.

View press releases and highlights from these successful events.

Eco-friendly Development in Pakistan
The problems faced daily by communities we serve are often complex, like in the story of Safina, a 32-year-old housewife in Pakistan. Safina wasted precious time and money collecting fuel and firewood for her household’s firewood stove, and the house’s poor ventilation led to sanitary and health issues for her and her children. Thankfully, Aga Khan Planning and Building Services had developed an affordable, fuel-efficient stove for those in Pakistan like Safina. After making the investment, Safina’s children had fewer health problems, and their household fuel-wood consumption dropped by 60%.
Read Safina's story

PartnershipsInAction Initiatives
Aga Khan Foundation U.S.A.
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Phone: 1-888-253-9255
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An initiative of AKF USA and its volunteers in communities across America. A tax-exempt organization under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code. ©2009 Aga Khan Foundation U.S.A.