Coordinator, New American Initiative

Abdirizak Farah
Abdirizak Farah was born, raised and educated in Somalia.  Mr. Farah worked for a British Community Development Organization before he joined the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO), the Political Affairs Division, as a Political Officer.  He worked on the humanitarian, peacekeeping and institution building efforts in Somalia.  During his tenure with United Nations Operations in Somali, he participated in the nation building and reconciliation efforts and was part of the UNOSOM’s policy and planning group and the final liquidation team.  He also worked in various other countries in Africa including Kenya and Rwanda.  

Mr. Farah Migrated to the United States in 1997 where he started working as an operations manager for Avis Rent a Car and also ran a trucking business. 

In 2006, he joined Mayor Michael Coleman’s New American Initiative, under the Community Relations Commission, as coordinator.