Kalia Abiade

Kalia Abiade is the Executive Vice President at Pillars Fund, which amplifies Muslim leadership toward opportunity and justice for all people. Before joining Pillars, Kalia served as an organizer and policy advocate, advancing media accountability, immigrant and refugee rights, religious freedom, voter access, and civic participation. Through the Federal TRIO Programs—Upward Bound and Talent Search—she worked closely with high school students in Southwestern Virginia in their pursuit to become the first members of their families to graduate from college. Kalia began her career as a newspaper journalist and editor, and her analysis has been cited in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Nation, National Public Radio, and the Associated Press, among other outlets. Kalia currently serves as the co-chair of the board of Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees, on the board of Inner-city Muslim Action Network (IMAN), and on the policy committee of Independent Sector. She is also a Change Leaders in Philanthropy Fellow with Grantmakers for Effective Organizations. Kalia was raised in California, is a graduate of the University of Florida, and lives with her family in Chicago.