Amed Khan
Amed Khan is a human rights advocate, political activist, and philanthropist. Amed has two decades of experience working in conflict zones and humanitarian relief. Following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in August of 2021, Amed led extensive efforts to evacuate vulnerable women leaders and human rights defenders from Afghanistan. Khan successfully managed evacuations for over 1,500 Afghan evacuees and funds and provided lodging, food, medical and legal services for them.
He has been working on the ground in Ukraine since Russia’s invasion in February of 2022. His efforts have included organizing refugee evacuations, distributing humanitarian aid and raising international awareness of the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Ukraine. He is the founder of Elpida Home, an innovative non-profit in Thessaloniki, Greece, which helps Syrian, Iraqi, and Afghan refugees access humane international protection and dignified essential services they deserve. As the Founder and President of the Zaka Khan Foundation, he also invests in reconstruction projects in Iraq and throughout the surrounding region. Amed also seeks to raise awareness about complex emergencies and human rights violations through international campaigns, media appearances, and creative projects.
Amed also seeks to raise awareness about complex emergencies and human rights violations through international campaigns, media appearances, and creative projects.
Amed held several positions in the United States Government. From 1993-1995, as Special Assistant, he represented the Director of the United States Peace Corps on policy and administrative matters and served as White House Liaison. In 1997, he was Director of Operations for the G-7 Summit of Industrialized Nations. His political experience includes service as Deputy Director of Administration for the 1992 Presidential transition team; Deputy Chief Operating Officer, Clinton/Gore 1996 Presidential Campaign; and Chief Operating Officer and Director of Administration, 1997 Presidential Inaugural Committee.
Amed was the Chief Administrator/Logistician for the International Rescue Committee (IRC) in Tanzania where he oversaw overall refugee camp administration and financial management at a series of refugee camps situated along the Rwanda/Tanzania border after the Rwandan genocide.
Amed currently sits on the Board of Directors of the International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP), The Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, and the Board of Visitors of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Political Science Department.
A graduate of the University of Wisconsin, Madison, Amed lives in New York, New York.
