Zeenat Rahman

University of Chicago Institute of Politics

Zeenat Rahman is the director of the Inclusive America Project at the Aspen Institute, where her work focuses on how America’s diverse faith communities can play a key role in fostering pluralism, building bridges across differences, and supporting a strong civil society and a vibrant democracy.

Rahman previously served as a presidential political appointee, as a special advisor to Secretaries Clinton and Kerry on global youth issues at the U.S. Department of State. In this position, she encouraged foreign governments to respond to youth issues through policy changes and created opportunities for young people to pursue their economic and civic aspirations. She created private-sector partnerships focused on youth employment and skill development, worked with U.S. embassies to create an extensive network of more than 75 youth councils worldwide, and built global entrepreneurship programs to support nascent entrepreneurs in emerging economies.

Prior to this appointment, she served as director of the Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships at the U.S. Agency for International Development. In this role, she led external engagement efforts with various faith-based and community organizations to build support for USAID priorities.