Amed Khan is a human rights advocate, political activist, and philanthropist. Amed has a vast range of experience working in conflict zones and humanitarian assistance. He is the founder of Elpida Home, an innovative non-profit in Thessaloniki, Greece, which has helped thousands of Syrian, Iraqi, and Afghan refugees access the humane international protection and dignified essential services they deserve. As the Founder and President of the Zaka Khan Foundation, he supports reconstruction projects in Iraq and throughout the Middle East.
Amed also seeks to raise awareness about complex emergencies and human rights violations through international campaigns, media appearances, and creative projects. He has collaborated with leading musicians and artists on efforts to bring attention to the world’s most vulnerable people.
Amed held several positions in the United States Government. He served as Deputy Director of Administration for the 1992 Presidential transition team. As Special Assistant to the U.S. Peace Corps Director, he oversaw policy and administrative matters. In 1997, he was Director of Operations for the G-7 Summit of Industrialized Nations.
Shortly after the Rwandan Genocide, Amed went to work for the International Rescue Committee as Chief Administrative Officer at the Ngara Refugee Camps in Tanzania. Amed also worked at the Baghdad Zoo just after the tragic 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq.
His political experience includes Deputy Chief Operating Officer, Clinton/Gore 1996 Presidential Campaign; Chief Operating Officer and Director of Administration, 1997 Presidential Inaugural Committee; and several leadership positions in the 1992 Clinton Presidential campaign.
Amed is a member of the Board of Directors of the International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP) and the Board of Visitors of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Political Science Department. Previously, Amed was Senior Advisor to the Clinton Giustra Enterprise Partnership and also a member of the International Advisory Council for the International Crisis Group. Amed received a B.A. in American Foreign Policy and American History from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.