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Humzah, CEO at Farrukh Foundation: Advize Career Interview

Farrukh Foundation CEO Humzah's career journey offers inspiring insights into the nonprofit sector.

The interview reveals a dynamic role characterized by international collaborations, strategic planning, and a deep commitment to improving children's lives through education and infrastructure development, particularly in underserved communities.

Humzah's leadership emphasizes the importance of strong communication, impactful relationships, and persistent dedication to achieving sustainable change.

The interview highlights the value of undergraduate experiences, including internships and a sociology background, in preparing for a career in this field.

Humzah's personal journey as a first-generation college student and child of immigrants directly informs Farrukh Foundation's mission, demonstrating how personal experiences can fuel powerful social impact.

The work emphasizes celebrating small victories along the way, understanding that even seemingly small actions can create significant, lasting change.

The interview ultimately stresses the significance of collaboration, resourcefulness, and a passionate commitment to social justice as keys to success in this rewarding yet challenging field.

Advizer Information

Name

Job Title

Company

Undergrad

Grad Programs

Majors

Industries

Job Functions

Traits

Humzah Farrukh

CEO

Farrukh Foundation

UCLA

N/A

Anthropology, Sociology

Nonprofit

Business Strategy

Honors Student, Scholarship Recipient, Pell Grant Recipient, Worked 20+ Hours in School, Greek Life Member, Transfer Student, First Generation College Student

Watch all of this Advizer's videos below

Career Path Of A CEO At Farrukh Foundation

As CEO of Farrukh Foundation, Humzah's main responsibilities include setting the organization's vision and driving strategic growth, encompassing both domestic and international initiatives such as supporting schools in Pakistan and Morocco and water well projects in Sindh; the daily work involves ensuring the safety and well-being of children and the financial health of the foundation's various programs, "making sure that the mission...is being set forth and being completed on time."

Career Path Of A CEO At Farrukh Foundation

Main Responsibilities of a CEO at Farrukh Foundation

Humzah, CEO of Farrukh Foundation, describes a dynamic and evolving role with "no such thing as a typical day," encompassing international and domestic team calls, donor/client meetings, program performance reviews, and brainstorming sessions. The core of the CEO's daily activities focuses on reviewing impact reports and advocacy efforts to ensure the organization's impact remains "at the forefront of the mind."

Main Responsibilities of a CEO at Farrukh Foundation

A Day in the Life of a CEO at Farrukh Foundation

Humzah, Farrukh Foundation's CEO, emphasizes that strong leadership, defined as ensuring "any individual...leaves feeling that they had some sort of impact," is paramount, alongside effective communication of organizational values to diverse stakeholders. Developing this leadership, however, requires experience and "connecting with other human beings," while practical skills like strategic thinking and financial acumen are also valuable but secondary.

A Day in the Life of a CEO at Farrukh Foundation

Most Important Skills For A CEO At Farrukh Foundation

Humzah, CEO of Farrukh Foundation, finds the greatest fulfillment in "shaping the future of the organization" and witnessing the transformative impact of their work on children's lives. The joy of seeing children "light up with the joy of having learned something new," knowing that Farrukh Foundation's intervention made this possible, is the most rewarding aspect of Humzah's leadership.

Most Important Skills For A CEO At Farrukh Foundation

Favorite Parts of Being a CEO at Farrukh Foundation

Humzah, CEO of Farrukh Foundation, identifies "sustainability" as the biggest challenge, citing the lack of infrastructure in the communities they serve and the consequent difficulty in securing "sustainable funding." This requires "constant innovation" and strategic fundraising to reach vulnerable children in diverse and resource-scarce environments.

Favorite Parts of Being a CEO at Farrukh Foundation

Biggest Inspirations For A CEO At Farrukh Foundation

Humzah, CEO at Farrukh Foundation, finds the greatest inspiration in witnessing "the power of education to transform lives," a daily experience fueled by a collaborative pursuit of "a more inclusive world, a more equitable world" through education. This passion drives their work, hoping to cultivate love and inspire future leaders to build a better world.

Biggest Inspirations For A CEO At Farrukh Foundation

Favorite Parts Of Working In The Non Profit Industry As A CEO

To thrive in the nonprofit sector, a deep passion for social justice and belief in education's transformative power are crucial, coupled with a balance of "idealist and pragmatist"—dreaming big while being resourceful and data-driven. The most impactful change begins with small, sustainable actions, as Humzah notes, "changing the life of one person," ultimately building towards a larger vision.

Favorite Parts Of Working In The Non Profit Industry As A CEO

What Type Of Person Thrives In The Nonprofit Industry According To A CEO At Farrukh Foundation

Humzah, CEO of Farrukh Foundation, emphasizes the critical role of relationship building in the nonprofit sector, stating that "this industry really thrives on human relationships," requiring collaboration with diverse stakeholders. Success hinges on building trust through transparent communication and fair reporting to donors, community partners, and governments.

What Type Of Person Thrives In The Nonprofit Industry According To A CEO At Farrukh Foundation

What a CEO at Farrukh Foundation Wishes They Had Known Before Entering the Nonprofit Industry

Humzah, CEO at Farrukh Foundation, advises undergraduates to seek entry-level roles in "fundraising, campaign management, program development, or communications," emphasizing the transferability of skills from other sectors. The ability to demonstrate "critical thinking and problem-solving," perhaps gained through experiences outside the nonprofit world, is equally valuable.

What a CEO at Farrukh Foundation Wishes They Had Known Before Entering the Nonprofit Industry

Entry-Level Positions For Aspiring CEOs

Humzah's significant career lesson is that "impact takes time," requiring long-term commitment and celebrating "small wins" daily; these small, private victories accumulate into large-scale, public achievements, ultimately demonstrating the value of perseverance in the nonprofit sector.

Entry-Level Positions For Aspiring CEOs

College Experiences That Helped A CEO At Farrukh Foundation Succeed

Humzah's significant career lesson is that "impact takes time," requiring a long-term commitment and celebrating small wins daily; the accumulation of these "private victories" ultimately leads to large-scale positive change, exemplified by projects like building water wells or opening schools.

College Experiences That Helped A CEO At Farrukh Foundation Succeed

How Identity Has Influenced A CEO At Farrukh Foundation's Career

Humzah's undergraduate sociology major provided a strong foundation for understanding "social and economic factors" impacting educational attainment, proving invaluable in building Farrukh Foundation. The CEO emphasizes the importance of internships, leveraging college resources and connections to launch impactful projects, advising students to "take advantage of the health, the time, and the energy" available during those formative years.

How Identity Has Influenced A CEO At Farrukh Foundation's Career
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