I’m a philanthropic pracademic here to harness the power of giving through knowledge and practice. I invite you to join me and, together, let’s make the world a better place.
Nausheena Hussain is on a mission to create a philanthropic legacy for change in the Muslim community. She is reimagining a world where Muslims will draw from their heritage, history, and intersectional identities in order to make the world a better place.
Career Trajectory
Her career started out at UnitedHealth Group, working as a Sales Administration Manager for a preventive care model servicing nursing home residents known as EverCare. She then moved into the world of consumer electronics and worked for Best Buy in multiple capacities including loyalty marketing, direct marketing and multicultural marketing. This led her to finding her purpose in life and transitioning into the nonprofit sector. Nausheena served as the Deputy Director for the Minnesota Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, a civil rights advocacy group, from 2011-2015. It was during several Pollen events that Nausheena started to dream a vision for Muslim women and launched Reviving the Islamic Sisterhood for Empowerment. As the founder and Executive Director, she built a movement empowering Muslim women to reclaim their narrative, develop leadership skills and participate in democracy. Oh, and did we mention she modeled for Alice Riot, co-produced and co-hosted a radio show on AM950?
Civic Engagement
Nausheena slowly began to realize that power is held by those who show up. So, she began to show up. She showed up in her city as a commissioner, an election judge and a delegate. In 2014, she was appointed as a Commissioner on the Charter Commission for the city of Brooklyn Park. In 2018, she began her service on the Human Rights Commission. She serves as an election judge, was a 2016 Minnesota Delegate to the Democratic National Convention and a 2018 delegate to the Hennepin County Convention. In 2020, Nausheena served as a Presidential Elector for the State of Minnesota, casting her vote for the electoral college.
Philanthropy
Nausheena’s philanthropic journey began when she served on the Headwaters Foundation for Justice Community Innovation and Social Change Fund committee from 2011-2016 reviewing and approving grant requests. She received her Certificate in Fund Raising Management (CFRM) from the Lily School of Philanthropy and continued her education by completing a M.A. in Philanthropic Studies. She currently serves on the board of Center on Muslim Philanthropy helping Muslim nonprofit leaders upskill, collaborate and improve their fundraising impact. She recently began her service as board member at the St. Paul and Minnesota Community Foundation. Nausheena is now pursuing her doctorate in Philanthropic Leadership at IUPUI in hopes to build a vibrant Muslim philanthropic community collectively advancing prosperity and equity by deepening relationships among the Muslim philanthropic community, amplifying their voices through collective action, and strengthening the sector.
Nonprofit service
Because of her unique lived experiences, Nausheena often is at the table where decisions are being made, bringing a voice and a different perspective to the conversation. She served on the advisory board for the Women’s March of Minnesota and the MNxMN Conference. Her philanthropic work includes service on the Advancement Committee for the Charities Review Council. Nausheena is a co-founder and Board Secretary of the Brooklyn Park Islamic Center. In 2004, Nausheena co-founded the Muslim Youth Leadership Award and served on its board of directors.
Qualifications
One of Nausheena’s top strengths is that she is a learner. So naturally, she’s always on the path to increase her knowledge and better her skills. Nausheena graduated from the University of Minnesota cum laude in 2003 with her MBA in Marketing and Healthcare Administration. She holds a M.A. in Philanthropic Studies from Indiana University. Nausheena is a doctoral candidate in Philanthropic Leadership at the Lily School of Philanthropy at Indiana University with an expected graduation date of 2026. She holds certificates in Executive Leadership from Stanford and Harvard Universities. She is a fellow graduate from the American Muslim Civic Leadership Institute, Studio/E entrepreneurial program, Rockwood Institute Fellow and is a 2016 Bush Foundation Leadership Fellow.
Awards
Because of her hard work and dedication, Nausheena has been recognized for her achievements. She was named the 2012 Catalytic Leader by the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits. In 2016, the Minnesota Women’s Press named her “Changemaker of the Year.” In 2018, Diversity MBA recognized Nausheena in its annual list of “Top 100 MBA under 50.”
Personal Life
Nausheena recognizes the importance of self-care, most importantly spiritual self-care. She enjoys reading, traveling, writing, and spending time with friends and family. Married, with two (adult) children, and her sweet cat Khushi, she lives in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota.