Physician | Philanthropist | Impact Entrepreneur
Biography
Tariq H. Cheema, is a renowned philanthropist and impact entrepreneur, best known for founding the World Congress of Muslim Philanthropists and the Global Donors Forum. Opting to leave behind a promising surgical career in 1997 to address global disparities, he has since established himself as a leading innovation expert and strategist, specializing in public, private, and corporate giving programs. Dr. Cheema has spearheaded numerous social initiatives, adeptly managed substantial grant portfolios, and collaborated with esteemed leaders and grantmakers to devise strategic philanthropy and impact investing frameworks. Embodying a visionary approach to promoting equitable economic empowerment and social progress, he seamlessly integrates the forces of philanthropy, business acumen, and political influence. His groundbreaking efforts to modernize and institutionalize Muslim philanthropy globally have earned him international acclaim. Dr. Cheema ranks among the top 500 Most Influential Muslims shaping our world today.
Recognition
The Muslim 500
2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
Ukraine, Chernivtsi Oblast Commendation
2002
Governor of Punjab Commendation
2021, 2022
Pride of Pakistan – Hall of Fame
2018
UNAOC, Global Expert
2013
Louis T. Delgado “Social Justice in Philanthropy” Award
2010
APPNA Presidential Award
2009
US Congressional Commendation
2007
Asian American Community Service Award
2005
Northwestern University, Kellogg Entrepreneur Mentor Award
2004
Indo-Pak Peace Building Award
2003

Assignments
ALIGHT (Formerly American Refugee Committee)
Executive Director, Pakistan-Afghanistan, 2013-Present
National Disaster Management Authority
Isolation Hospital & Infection Treatment Center, Islamabad, Project Director, 2020 – 2021
EAA-Educating One Million Out-of-School Children Project, Pakistan
Chief of Party, 2018 – 2021
Association of Pakistani Physicians of North America (APPNA), USA
Executive Director, 2006 – 2010
Nonprofit Empowerment Group, United States
President, 2003 – 2006
Doctors Worldwide, United States Founding Executive Director
Executive Director, 2006 – 2010
WHO-Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), Switzerland
Civil Society Advocacy Coordinator, 1999 – 2000
Islamic Medical Association of North America (IMANA), United States
Associate Director, 1997 – 1999
Karachi Chamber of Commerce Hospital
Project Director, 1995 – 1996
South East Business Group, United States
Associate Director, 1997 – 1999
Fellowships
Indiana University, Lilly Family School for Philanthropy-MPI, United States
Senior Philanthropy Leadership Fellow, 2023
Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE)
Visiting Senior Fellow, 2021
El-Hibri Foundation, United States
Adaptive Leadership Fellow, 2022
Public Narrative Fellow, 2019
Salzburg Global Seminar, Austria
Philanthropy Studies Fellow, 2012
The Bellagio Initiative, Italy
Philanthropy & Development Fellow, 2012
Madinah Institute of Leadership & Entrepreneurship, SA
Advanced Leadership & Management Fellow, 2011
Rockefeller Foundation, United States
Next Generation Leadership Fellow, 2001-2003

Academics
Indiana University, Lilly Family School for Philanthropy-MPI, United States
Certificate in Fundraising Management, 2012
The University of Illinois at Chicago, United States
Executive Education, International Health Leadership, 2006
Loyola University Chicago, United States
Graduate Certificate, Advanced Study in Philanthropy, 2000 – 2001
American College of Physician Executives (ACPE)
Member, 1995
İstanbul Üniversitesi-Cerrahpaşa Tıp Fakültesi, Türkiye
Doctor of Medicine, 1987-1993
Ankara Üniversitesi-TÖMER, Türkiye
Diploma in the Turkish Language, 1983 – 1984
Forman Christian College, Lahore, Pakistan
Higher Secondary Education, 1995
Publications
Global Solutions Journal (THINK20)
Contributor
Global Solutions Summit Edition 2021
Journal of Muslim Philanthropy & Civil Society
Member, Editorial Board
Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, IUPUI, 2018
Global Best Practices for CSO, NGO, and Other Nonprofit Boards
Co-Author
Board Source, Wiley, 2018
Global Fundraising: How the World is Changing the Rules of Philanthropy
Co-Author
Wiley, John & Sons, 2013
Alliance Magazine: Special Feature on Muslim Philanthropy
Guest Editor
September 2018
Global Philanthropy: The Past and Present
Co-Author
Mercator Fund, 2010

Affiliations
Founder
- World Congress of Muslim Philanthropists (MuslimFunders)
- Global Donors Forum (GDF)
- US National Network of Diaspora Giving
- Medical Tourism Association of Pakistan
- Pakistan Alliance for Girls Education (PAGE)
- HEED Foundation
Co-founder
- OrthoPak
- Diversity Forums
- Doctors Worldwide
- Academy of Philanthropy
- Policy and Research Institute of Zakat Economics (PRIZE)
- Pakistan Philanthropy Forum
- Pakistan Action Consortium for Education (PACE)
- Health For All Collective (HFAC)
Trustee
- Islamic Medical Association of North America
- Momina Cheema Foundation
- Doctors Worldwide Trust Hospital
- Taaleem Foundation
- Pakistan Children Heart Foundation
- Kashmir Education Foundation
- Food Security & Agriculture Center of Excellence (FACE)
Advisor
- Lingshan World Philanthropy Forum, China
- International Zakat Organization, Malaysia Finocracy, UAE
- Ali Vural Ak Center for Global Islamic Studies at George Mason University, US
- AFG College, Qatar
- Spark, Netherlands
- American Islamic College, US
- Nonprofit Empowerment Group, US
- Zakat Foundation Institution, US
- Shifa International Hospital, Pakistan
- IU Muslim Philanthropy Initiative, US
- Development Strategies, Pakistan
- Chicago Clerkships, US
Member
- APPNA
- Hayat Sağlık Vak
- IMANA
- Lahore Gymkhana
- Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry
- Istanbul University Alumni
- Loyola University Chicago Alumni
- Forman Christian College Alumni

Humanitarian Response
Gaza Humanitarian Mission
2023
Türkiye -Syria Earthquake
2023
Pakistan Floods
2022-2023
Ukraine-Russia Conflict
2023
Afghan Refugee Crisis
2022
The Covid-19 Pandemic
2020-2021
Pakistan FATA IDPs Crisis
2015
Pakistan Floods
2010-2011
Pakistan Swat IDPs Crisis
2009
Pakistan Earthquake
2005
Hurricane Katrina
2005
Indian Ocean Tsunami
2004
Kosovo Medical Mission
2000
Turkey Izmit Earthquake
1999
Chechen-Russia Conflict
1999
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Medical Mission
1997-1998
Turkey Erzincan Earthquake
1992
Coverage

+1 312 715 8061 | tcheema@muslimfunders.org