Amina came to America to study business at George Washington University a few weeks before 9/11. After witnessing widespread confusion about Islam and a growing anti-Arab sentiment, she decided to become active in the Muslim Student Association, which introduced her to the power of student activism. Her involvement in this group and another Arab student association that she founded helped solidify her desire to promote justice, basic human rights, and greater understanding among people with very different viewpoints. Amina considers herself equally wedded to passion and objectivity, and derives satisfaction from big picture thinking and strategy development, as well as doing work on the ground. While she thinks of herself as a global citizen who will always have an eye for issues on a global scale and a personal attachment to the Middle East, she is delighted to make America a new home and become actively engaged in her local reality.

Prior to New Profit, Amina worked as a Research Analyst at the Middle East Youth Initiative (MEYI) at the Brookings Institution. Her research focus included education and institutional reform, private sector engagement in development, and social entrepreneurship and investment. At MEYI, she co-authored two flagship publications, Missed by the Boom, Hurt by the Bust: Making Markets Work for Young People in the Middle East and Social Entrepreneurship in the Middle East: Towards Sustainable Development for the Next Generation. Before joining Brookings, Amina was a Program Assistant at the Middle East and North Africa division of the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE). She has an M.A. in Arab Studies with distinction from Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service and a B.A. in Business Administration from George Washington University.

Amina lives with her husband, Faris, in Cambridge, MA. They love trying different cuisines, seeking out world/international music concerts, watching foreign movies, BBC documentaries, and her husband's ever-expanding collection of stand-up comedy.

What book(s) are you currently reading?
The Life of Milarepa (Tr. Lobsang Lhalungpa) and A Man Without A Country (Kurt Vonnegut's last book)

What is your favorite quote?
"When you see the Hour approaching, plant a tree." - Prophet of Islam

What three things are on your bucket list?
Learn Spanish (one day...)
Go to India
Learn to cook (sigh...)