Farida Kathawalla is a passionate non-profit consultant and philanthropist with a breadth of international and philanthropic experience. Born in India, Farida came to the U.S. for college in 1984 but has enjoyed giving back to her native country through her long-term engagement with the American India Foundation (AIF). She is the co-founder of AIF Circle of Hope, a women-funded philanthropic giving circle. Her passion is to empower women and girls – especially those who live in the most marginalized areas of the world.

Farida served as a Board member at World Education for 6 years and is also an active member of the New England International Donors Global (NEID). She has been a Charter Circle member of the United Nations Association of Greater Boston because she believes that it is imperative to build a global community. She is also on the Board of Trustees at the Woodlands, where she resides, as her focus is always to give back to the community. She is also the chapter leader of Together Women Rise.

Farida’s dedication to the many charitable causes she supports was recently recognized when she was nominated for 2016 Woman of the Year by INDIA New England.