Kemal A. Birru, Treasurer

Mr. Kemal Birru is a senior humanitarian programs and management professional with over 25 years of experience in managing and coordinating projects in over 30 countries that touched the lives of millions of needy and vulnerable people. He has worked in both the governmental and non-governmental organizations, including Save the Children USA, the World Bank, Zakat Foundation of America and held key positions of Programs Director, Programs Coordinator, Monitoring and Evaluation Manager, Policy Advisor and Grants Manager etc. Mr. Kemal holds two master’s degrees: Human Ecology from Free University of Brussels- Belgium and Development Studies from the Institute of Social Studies – Netherlands. He graduated from Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia in Agro Economics and has attended multifarious developmental and leadership courses.

RUKHSANA AYYUB, VICE PRESIDENT

Rukhsana Ayyub is a development professional with over 25+ years’ experience in Program Management. She graduated from New School for Social Research in Psychology and obtained certification in addiction treatment from Adelphi University. She began her career in New York as an addiction specialist by providing counselling to to those affected by addiction and trauma. In 2001 she shifted her prevention work to development sector. She has worked in  the US as well as in the Asia Region (Pakistan, Bangladesh and Thailand) for leading International development organizations like ChildFund International and CARE USA at senior leadership positions.  She is committed to addressing all forms of discrimination and has devoted her life to supporting the marginalized and the vulnerable achieve their rights. Ms Ayyub has written and published articles on gender based violence and addiction and is a public speaker and has spoken at various public, private and international forums. She is a proud mother of two sons and a doting grandmother to her granddaughter. She is an avid reader and loves to read poetry and biographies.

STEVEN D. BOTKIN, BOARD MEMBER

Steven Botkin founded the Men’s Resource Center of Western Massachusetts (MRC) in 1982 and received his doctoral degree in Social Justice Education from the University of Massachusetts several years later. In 2004 Steven founded Men’s Resources International to support the development of masculinity awareness and men’s engagement as allies and partners with women on a global level. Since then, Dr. Botkin has provided training and technical assistance in the development of men’s engagement initiatives in Zambia, Nigeria, Liberia, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, Burundi, Niger, the Netherlands, the Philippines, Albania, Ireland, Myanmar, Nepal, Lebanon and the United States. He has been instrumental in the formation of many local, national and global men’s groups, organizations and networks, including the Rwanda Men’s Resource Centre, the Congo Men’s Network and the MenEngage Network. Dr Steven has provided consultations to a range of organizations including YMCA, CARE International, UN Women, Concern Worldwide, International Planned Parenthood Federation, Save the Children, the International Rescue Committee, RutgersWPF, and the Women’s Peacemakers Program. Steven currently works as an independent consultant and psychotherapist, Senior Trainer for MERGE for Equality, and serves as Co-Chair of the Steering Committee of the North America MenEngage Network.

Dr. MOHAMED AL-HAJAJI – BOARD MEMBER

Dr. Mohamed Al-Hajaji, was born in 1972 in Yemen, is the President and CEO of Pure Hands, a US based distinguished non-profit organization that delivers humanitarian aid to those in need in Yemen. Pure Hands’ projects focus on alleviating poverty, providing economic opportunities, and delivering emergency relief (https://www.purehands.org/).

With extensive experience and advanced academic qualifications, Dr Mohamed has led numerous Non-profit organizations for more than twenty years. His key leadership roles include CEO of Pure Hands organization, Chairman of the Owais Al-Qarni Endowment in the United States, and a trustee for several other organizations. Dr. Al-Hajaji holds a PhD and master’s degree in Islamic law, as well as a Higher Diploma in Strategic Management.

His expertise in strategic planning, operational efficiency, and successful fundraising initiatives significantly contributes to the organization’s sustainable growth and success.

DR. ARIF MEHMOOD, FOUNDING PRESIDENT & CEO

Dr Arif has 25+ years of work experience with international relief and development organizations including Care International, Oxfam GB, Concern Worldwide, and UK’s Department for International Development/British Council. As Director of Programs, Arif provided strategic and managerial leadership to Islamic Relief USA, Zakat Foundation of America and United Muslim Relief in the United States. Dr Arif is a creative thinker, strategic planner, and decision maker with a track record of designing and implementing sustainable programs for ending poverty, hunger and suffering. Arif has lived and worked in the US, Asia and Africa, and has diverse headquarters and field-based operational experience. His areas of expertise include Program Design and Management; Disaster Preparedness and Response, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL), Knowledge Management, Strategic Planning, Partnership Management, and Grant Writing. Arif has been successful in securing major donor funding by designing multi-disciplinary projects, both for sustainable development and for humanitarian response. Dr Arif is a strong advocate of working together with the government, corporate sector and non-profit organizations for improving the quality of life of the impoverished and at risk communities.