As the CEO of Islamic Relief USA (IRUSA), Ahmed Shehata draws upon more than two decades of community development and fundraising experience to oversee more than $250 million in domestic and international development and emergency relief programs. IRUSA is the largest Islamic NGO in the country and facilitates critical emergency response efforts, as well as refugee aid, health and education, and hunger relief. Ahmed Shehata has worked in several leadership roles with IRUSA since 2004. 

In his previous role as director of fund development, Ahmed Shehata oversaw all strategic fundraising goals and worked to ensure long-term viability for the nonprofit by growing its donor base and annual contributions. Among other successful projects, he created a cross-channel donor cultivation strategy that generated donations from high net-worth individuals and corporations, such as Walmart, Apple, and Avery Denison. Mr. Shehata also prioritized and improved donor retention and commissioned the first-of-its-kind national report "Muslim American Giving." He played a key role in nearly doubling IRUSA's fundraising revenue from $70 million to more than $135 million through five years in this position. 

Mr. Shehata has also worked at IRUSA as community outreach manager, Middle East national campaign manager, regional manager of the Midwest office in Chicago, Illinois, and development coordinator. Through these roles, he garnered valuable experience in public relations, capital campaign development, and leadership and management. He has planned and facilitated several fundraising events, including dinners and concerts, and represented IRUSA in local and external groups. 

Complementing his experience, Ahmed Shehata is pursuing a master's degree in philanthropic studies from Indiana University and holds a graduate certificate in fundraising management. He also earned a master's degree in management and bachelor's degree in business management from Strayer University. He is fluent in English and Arabic.