Khadija Shariff is an international education, gender, and economic empowerment specialist with over 15 years of experience working across East Africa and the United States. She has partnered with community organizations, schools, and NGOs to advance education, youth development, and women’s empowerment. Khadija is a leader of the Assessment of Life Skills and Values (ALiVE) initiative in Zanzibar, Tanzania, and serves as the Country Lead for the Regional Education Learning Initiative, with a focus on socio-emotional learning and life skills development.
As the Executive Director of Milele Zanzibar Foundation, she leads programs that improve maternal health, education outcomes, and livelihoods for rural and underserved communities. Passionate about equity and social justice, Khadija is committed to empowering women and youth as agents of change and building resilient, inclusive systems that enable communities to thrive. Through her strategic leadership and community-centered approach, she continues to drive sustainable solutions that create lasting social impact.