Ahmed Shehata

Ahmed Shehata is an American nonprofit executive and philanthropic leader, currently serving as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Islamic Relief USA (IRUSA), a leading humanitarian and advocacy organization based in Alexandria, Virginia. Shehata has played a pivotal role in expanding the organization’s impact and revenue, particularly through his expertise in fundraising and community development.
==Early Life and Education==
Ahmed Shehata earned a bachelor's degree in business management from Strayer University, where he also completed a Master of Science in Management. He furthered his education with a Master of Arts in Philanthropic Studies from the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University. Additionally, Shehata holds several certifications in fundraising and management, including a certification in Fundraising Management from the Lilly School of Philanthropy.
==Career==
===Islamic Relief USA===
Shehata began his career at Islamic Relief USA in 2004 as a development coordinator in the Midwest office based in Chicago. In this role, he organized fundraising activities, conducted outreach, and cultivated relationships with donors. His success in these endeavors led to his promotion to Midwest Regional Manager in 2008. He subsequently served as Community Relations Manager, where he led wide-reaching educational sessions and collaborated with NGOs, faith-based communities, local businesses, and foundations to boost fundraising efforts. In 2018, Shehata was appointed as the Director of Fund Development, a position in which he significantly enhanced IRUSA’s fundraising capacity. Under his leadership, the organization doubled its annual fundraising revenue, surpassing $135 million. Shehata's initiatives included establishing a Major Gifts Department, which transformed mid-level donors into major contributors and accounted for more than 40% of the organization’s annual revenue.
In January 2024, Shehata was appointed as the CEO of Islamic Relief USA. As CEO, he oversees more than $250 million in funding for domestic and international emergency relief and development projects, including water and sanitation, health, education, and disaster response. His leadership is focused on driving programmatic impact, expanding revenue sources, and cultivating diverse partnerships to address complex humanitarian crises around the world.
==Philanthropic Leadership==
Ahmed Shehata is recognized as a leading figure in Muslim-American philanthropy, humanitarian relief, and community development. His expertise in nonprofit development and fundraising has been instrumental in positioning IRUSA as one of the most prominent Muslim nonprofit organizations in the United States. Shehata is known for his innovative approach to fundraising, including cross-channel donor cultivation and securing funds from major corporations such as Nike, Walmart, and Apple.
==Personal Life==
Ahmed Shehata is committed to his faith and humanitarian work, often integrating his personal beliefs with his professional responsibilities. He and his family are actively involved in philanthropic activities, dedicating their efforts to various causes, particularly in support of Palestine and other regions facing humanitarian crises.
==References==
==External links==
* Ahmed Shehata on Medium
* Company website
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* Ahmed Shehata on Facebook
* Ahmed Shehata Facebook page
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* Ahmed Shehata on X
Category:American nonprofit executives
Category:American philanthropists
Category:Strayer University alumni
Category:American businesspeople