I have spent 25 years working to build knowledge and know-how at the intersection of religion, values, and social change. With a unique expertise that bridges academic research, community understanding, and real-world applications, I have led initiatives across a variety of sectors, including higher education, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and philanthropy.
Currently affiliated with the Center for the Study of Religion and Culture at the University of Notre Dame, I contribute to a multi-institutional effort focused on mapping and analyzing the diverse landscape of congregational life in Chicago. This work builds on previous leadership roles, including serving as the inaugural executive director of the Martin Marty Center for the Public Understanding of Religion at the University of Chicago and the executive director of the Center for Religion and Civic Culture at the University of Southern California, which was recognized as a Pew Center of Excellence.
At these institutions, I explored the intersections of religion, public life, and social transformation, working closely with communities, governments, and philanthropic organizations to translate academic research into actionable insights for broader public impact. Notably, I co-founded programs including as the American Muslim Civic Leadership Institute and the Cecil Murray Center for Community Engagement at USC, both of which have empowered leaders to transform under-served and ignored communities, and to enhanced their ability to contribute to the broader pluralistic landscape in the US.
In collaboration with organizations like the United States Institute of Peace, I have spent over a decade designing and implementing peacebuilding programs, particularly those focused on youth leadership, organizational capacity, and conflict resolution. I have also worked with corporate, educational, and government leaders to integrate inclusive leadership practices, helping institutions navigate complex challenges while building sustainable and impactful organizations.
A thought leader and educator, I have contributed to various public-facing initiatives, including collaborations with journalists to produce materials that enhance public understanding of religion and its role in society. Additionally, I have been an instrumental figure in disaster preparedness and response efforts, co-developing training programs and tools including a religious literacy and competency course for FEMA’s Emergency Management Institute and a groundbreaking religious literacy app.
My commitment to leadership extends to board service, where I have advised on the intersection of religion, pluralism, and community development. Currently, I serve on advisory boards for the Crossroads Project at Princeton University, the Los Angeles Emergency Preparedness Foundation, the religion task force for the Council on Foreign Relations, and the Faith in Action advisory board for the World Economic Forum. Previous board service includes leadership roles with NewGround: A Muslim-Jewish Partnership for Change, Religion Dispatches magazine, Mayor Eric Garcetti's Interfaith Collaborative, Listos Preparedness Program for the State of California, Philanthropy Active in Civic Engagement, the Aspen Institute's Inclusive America project, and Jewish World Watch, where I chaired the Solar Cooker Project that provided sustainable solutions for displaced Darfuri communities in Chadian refugee camps.
My contributions have been recognized with awards and fellowships including being named a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader in 2017, the GLOW Award from CityLight International Assembly in 2023, the Trailblazer Award from NewGround in 2021, and the inaugural El Hibri Foundation Fearless Ally award.
I hold a BA in Religion and History from the University of Southern California, an MA in Judaic Studies from Hebrew Union College, and executive certificates from USC and Harvard Kennedy School in Counter-Terrorism and Global Leadership respectively.
Currently affiliated with the Center for the Study of Religion and Culture at the University of Notre Dame, I contribute to a multi-institutional effort focused on mapping and analyzing the diverse landscape of congregational life in Chicago. This work builds on previous leadership roles, including serving as the inaugural executive director of the Martin Marty Center for the Public Understanding of Religion at the University of Chicago and the executive director of the Center for Religion and Civic Culture at the University of Southern California, which was recognized as a Pew Center of Excellence.
At these institutions, I explored the intersections of religion, public life, and social transformation, working closely with communities, governments, and philanthropic organizations to translate academic research into actionable insights for broader public impact. Notably, I co-founded programs including as the American Muslim Civic Leadership Institute and the Cecil Murray Center for Community Engagement at USC, both of which have empowered leaders to transform under-served and ignored communities, and to enhanced their ability to contribute to the broader pluralistic landscape in the US.
In collaboration with organizations like the United States Institute of Peace, I have spent over a decade designing and implementing peacebuilding programs, particularly those focused on youth leadership, organizational capacity, and conflict resolution. I have also worked with corporate, educational, and government leaders to integrate inclusive leadership practices, helping institutions navigate complex challenges while building sustainable and impactful organizations.
A thought leader and educator, I have contributed to various public-facing initiatives, including collaborations with journalists to produce materials that enhance public understanding of religion and its role in society. Additionally, I have been an instrumental figure in disaster preparedness and response efforts, co-developing training programs and tools including a religious literacy and competency course for FEMA’s Emergency Management Institute and a groundbreaking religious literacy app.
My commitment to leadership extends to board service, where I have advised on the intersection of religion, pluralism, and community development. Currently, I serve on advisory boards for the Crossroads Project at Princeton University, the Los Angeles Emergency Preparedness Foundation, the religion task force for the Council on Foreign Relations, and the Faith in Action advisory board for the World Economic Forum. Previous board service includes leadership roles with NewGround: A Muslim-Jewish Partnership for Change, Religion Dispatches magazine, Mayor Eric Garcetti's Interfaith Collaborative, Listos Preparedness Program for the State of California, Philanthropy Active in Civic Engagement, the Aspen Institute's Inclusive America project, and Jewish World Watch, where I chaired the Solar Cooker Project that provided sustainable solutions for displaced Darfuri communities in Chadian refugee camps.
My contributions have been recognized with awards and fellowships including being named a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader in 2017, the GLOW Award from CityLight International Assembly in 2023, the Trailblazer Award from NewGround in 2021, and the inaugural El Hibri Foundation Fearless Ally award.
I hold a BA in Religion and History from the University of Southern California, an MA in Judaic Studies from Hebrew Union College, and executive certificates from USC and Harvard Kennedy School in Counter-Terrorism and Global Leadership respectively.
