Farah Pandith — SPARQNOW

At-a-Glance

Served as the first-ever Special Representative to Muslim Communities for the U.S. Department of State (2009-2014)
Adjunct Senior Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations
Head of Strategy for the London-based Institute for Strategic Dialogue
Senior Fellow with the Future of Diplomacy Project at the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at the Harvard Kennedy School
Author of 'How We Win: How Cutting-Edge Entrepreneurs, Political Visionaries, Enlightened Business Leaders and Social Media Mavens Can Defeat the Extremist Threat'
Developed the concept of 'open power,' defined as the ability to solve critical human challenges through peer-to-peer exploration, collaboration and ownership
Awarded the Secretary's Distinguished Honor Award in January 2013

Biography

Farah Pandith is an American academic and diplomat, notably serving as the first-ever Special Representative to Muslim Communities for the U.S. Department of State. Appointed in June 2009 by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, a position created specifically for her, she traveled to nearly 100 countries to engage with Muslim communities globally.