Open to opportunities

Nadia Ilahi

@nadiailahi

Message

Donor relations and strategic communications leader with 10+ years driving donor stewardship and impact storytelling.

United States

Message

What I'm looking for

I’m looking for a role where I can lead donor stewardship and strategic communications across complex, multi-stakeholder environments—translating programs into compelling impact narratives, strengthening retention, and partnering cross-functionally.

I’m an international communications and donor relations leader with over a decade of experience directing high-impact programs across the U.S., East Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America. I combine communications depth with operational experience and cultural competence to deliver clear, relationship-driven messaging in headquarters, field, and remote environments.

As Donor Relations Manager at Zakat Foundation of America, I drive communications strategy for a $47M donor portfolio—crafting tailored stewardship messaging across individual, foundation, and corporate giving to deepen engagement and improve retention. I supervise 2 staff and lead donor communications workflows, donor acknowledgment communications, and audience-appropriate impact reporting.

Across consulting and communications roles, I’ve developed multi-channel strategies that strengthen positioning across web, email, and social. I draft press releases, statements, media kits, and outreach messaging, and I translate business priorities into clear, audience-ready narratives for internal and external stakeholders.

I also bring deep expertise in refugee and humanitarian operations, including USRAP, IOM, and RSC Africa. From change management communications and survivor-sensitive language to capacity-building and fraud-prevention outreach, I focus on message discipline, accessibility, and trust—so teams can execute quickly and donors understand the impact.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Donor Relations Manager

Current

Zakat Foundation of America

Apr 2026 - Present (2 months)

Direct donor communications strategy for a $47M giving portfolio, tailoring stewardship messaging to improve engagement and retention. Supervise 2 staff and lead cross-functional donor reporting and external communications, producing acknowledgments and donor impact reports.

Acknowledgments Communications Strategy Cross functional Coordination Stakeholder Management

Strategic Communications Consultant

London Moore & Associates

Jun 2025 - Apr 2026 (10 months)

Developed multi-channel communications strategies across web, email, and social to strengthen client positioning. Produced press releases and messaging guidance to support partnership cultivation and aligned internal and external audiences with leadership priorities.

Strategic Communications Media Relations Narrative Development Stakeholder Engagement Web Content Email

Communications & Marketing Consultant

Mizizi Learning Hub

Aug 2025 - Dec 2025 (4 months)

Led external communications for education and community-facing initiatives, building campaign messaging and content plans to support partner and donor engagement. Drafted press releases, media kits, and external statements with consistent, audience-appropriate messaging across web, social, and email.

External Communications Content Planning Social Media Content Email Marketing

Communications & Content Consultant

Robin

Jun 2025 - Sep 2025 (3 months)

Produced multimedia content and channel-specific messaging to support audience growth, brand visibility, and engagement. Built content calendars and adapted copy by platform and audience segment to improve clarity and conversion.

Multimedia Content Channel Specific Messaging Copywriting Segmentation

Strategic Messaging Consultant

Info Gain Consulting

Feb 2025 - May 2025 (3 months)

Developed external messaging and capability narratives for U.S. government and multilateral audiences. Crafted go-to-market narratives for AI and data analytics procurement and translated technical inputs into clear client-facing value propositions.

Capability Narratives Government Procurement Communications Multilateral Messaging AI And Data Analytics Positioning Narrative Development

Change Management & Comms Analyst

Devis

Jan 2022 - Feb 2025 (3 years 1 month)

Produced time-sensitive communications and user guidance for distributed stakeholders in a high-stakes operational environment. Created portal content and adoption materials translating policy requirements for non-technical users using survivor-sensitive, compliant language.

Change Management Communications Adoption Materials Survivor Sensitive Language Technical Writing

Communication Consultant

International Organization for Migration

Jan 2021 - Jul 2021 (6 months)

Audited and improved digital communications workflows to increase clarity, accessibility, and speed across remote teams. Created SOPs and onboarding materials to standardize messaging and strengthen execution.

Accessibility SOP Development Onboarding Remote Team Workflow Optimization Content Operations

Communications Manager

The Network

Jan 2021 - Mar 2021 (2 months)

Led external communications aligned to advocacy and fundraising priorities, including newsletters, supporter updates, and campaign messaging. Managed Mailchimp communications for donor-facing appeals and action alerts to drive clear calls to action.

Advocacy Communications Fundraising Communications Newsletters Mailchimp Action Alerts Email Copywriting Supporter Updates

Public Information Manager

Resettlement Support Center Africa / Church World Service

Oct 2015 - Sep 2016 (11 months)

Directed regional public information and outreach across 9 countries, leading a 12-member communications unit delivering consistent messaging at scale. Developed public-facing communications and fraud prevention materials and coordinated messaging with U.S. embassies and government stakeholders to ensure accuracy and trust.

Embassy Communication Outreach Team Leadership Multi Country Messaging

Senior Programme Officer

IREX

Aug 2013 - Jan 2014 (5 months)

Designed and launched integrated campaigns using digital storytelling, email outreach, and social media to build engagement and participation. Used analytics and performance metrics to optimize reach and results, and facilitated Training of Trainers workshops to strengthen partner outreach capacity and message discipline.

Digital Storytelling Campaigns Campaign Analytics Performance Metrics Training Facilitation Integrated Communications

Senior Programme Officer

Legacy International

Apr 2012 - Aug 2013 (1 year 4 months)

Oversaw exchange placements, youth civic engagement campaigns, and global partnerships across 21 countries. Partnered with major tech companies including Google and helped secure $10K in new program funding while leading storytelling initiatives amplifying youth voices.

Partnerships Exchange Placements Coordination Storytelling Cross Country Program Delivery