Title: Executive Director / President
Organization: Islamic Speakers Bureau of Atlanta/Khalifa Consulting
Areas of Expertise: Interfaith Issues, Women's Issues
Media Experience: TV, Print, Radio

Location: Atlanta, GA
Contact: Leah Borkin, Fenton Communication
Email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it   Phone 212 584 5000 x 206

As founder and Executive Director of the Islamic Speakers Bureau of Atlanta (ISBA), Soumaya Khalifa brings an array of corporate and non-profit experience to her role. Her professional background in human resources, diversity and talent management for several Fortune 100 companies helped in starting and growing the ISB.

Through the leadership of Ms. Khalifa, the Islamic Speakers Bureau of Atlanta volunteers have presented to thousands in metro Atlanta and surrounding areas about Islam and Muslims. The presentations and workshops are interactive and help bring a better understanding of how practicing American Muslims live their lives.  The ISB is an affiliate of the Islamic Networks Group in California.  The ISB holds an annual Building Bridges Awards dinner featuring keynote speakers and awards given to Atlanta area individuals and organizations working with the ISB towards building bridges of understanding between all.   Past recipients of the Building Bridges award include WABE radio, Atlanta Journal Constitution, Emory University, Youth Theological Initiative, Atlanta Interfaith Broadcasters, Temple Emanu El and several area schools.

Ms. Khalifa co-founded an interfaith women's baking group in Atlanta.  The purpose of the group is for women of different faith traditions to come together and connect.  Ms. Khalifa took the lead in forming the Fayette County Interfaith Network.  The Network is inclusive of different faith traditions within the Fayette County, Georgia area.  In 2008, they organized an interfaith Thanksgiving service for the community where they also collected food for the Fayette Samaritan.

Ms. Khalifa was born in Alexandria, Egypt and raised in Texas. She holds an undergraduate degree in Chemistry from the University of Houston and a masters degree in human resources from Georgia State University.  She is fluent in English and Arabic and has studied French, Spanish and German.  Outside of the bureau, Soumaya is President of her consulting firm Khalifa Consulting specializing in Diversity, Training and Human Resources.  In addition, Ms. Khalifa teaches classes at Emory Center for Lifelong Learning titled "Arab World Insider: Secrets to Successful Business in the Arab Countries" and "Human Resources Certification".  Ms. Khalifa is a sought after speaker on interfaith and women in Islam.

She serves as Vice President of the Anti-Prejudice Consortium, Board member of Kids4Peace and Secretary of Atlanta Interfaith Broadcasters.  Soumaya is also a member of the FBI's Multi-Cultural Advisory Committee.  Soumaya appeared on BBC, NPR, AIB, CBS, Fox, PBS, and the Atlanta Journal Constitution.  Soumaya has received many awards for her work with the Islamic Speakers Bureau of Atlanta.