Amyn Kassim-Lakha is a senior staff member at the Department of Jamati Institutions at the Diwan (Seat) of the Ismaili Imamat, based in Portugal, where he is responsible for co-ordinating the activities and programmes of the Ismaili community’s institutions around the world.

He has served previously in several professional capacities at the Secretariat of His Highness the Aga Khan in France, and the Aga Khan Foundation’s Head Office in Switzerland.

Mr Kassim-Lakha serves on several Executive and Advisory Committees within the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), in the domains of education, scholarships, health and habitat. He organised the Enabling Environment Conference, a high-profile initiative aimed at enhancing effective private-sector contribution to development in Afghanistan (June 2007, Kabul). Prior to joining the AKDN, he was a consultant with McKinsey & Company in North America, and has also held management positions in the technology and hospitality industries.

In keeping with the Ismaili community’s long-standing tradition of voluntary service, Mr Kassim-Lakha has held numerous voluntary leadership positions in Canada, Kenya, Switzerland and France. Mr Kassim-Lakha was awarded an MBA by Harvard Business School and an SB (Engineering Science) degree, summa cum laude, by Harvard College.