AJ

Board Treasurer

Neema Nazem

Co-founder & Board President

A.J., a Chicago native, has worked in multiple roles in a variety of industries. These include project management, program management, training director, as well as a multitude of engineering and management roles in semiconductor manufacturing, electrical construction, as well as water purification for the city of Chicago. A.J. holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Illinois at Chicago. In each role, he is focused on professionalism, and delivering clear, concise, and no nonsense solutions. 

 
A.J. also has extensive experience helping agencies achieve their initiatives such as implementation of its Enterprise Resource Program, pilot development aimed to sustain ridership, as well as to expedite project deliveries and grant spend downs. Additionally, he is a graduate of the American Public Transportation Association's (APTA) Emerging Leaders class of 2022.
 
In his free time A.J. can usually be found spending time with his friends and family, playing drums, or watching movies. When he is not out and about, he can usually be found woodworking or hanging out with his nieces and nephew. 

Neema Nazem is driven by a deep understanding of the immigrant experience, as he has dedicated his career to building strong communities and managing complex projects. His parents, who immigrated from Iran, instilled in him the values of hard work and compassion. His father, a lifelong cab driver, and his mother, a baker, were pillars of support for numerous family members growing up, opening their home to relatives to help them acclimate to their new lives in America. This childhood of witnessing his father provide employment and community for diverse refugee backgrounds shaped his perspective and ignited a lifelong passion for supporting displaced populations.

 

His professional journey, from a union electrician to a project manager overseeing multimillion-dollar projects, has provided him with a unique blend of practical skills and strategic expertise. He holds an MBA, and over the past decade, he has honed his ability to lead teams, manage budgets, and navigate complex logistical challenges—skills directly transferable to the governance of a nonprofit. He will apply his firsthand experience with immigrant integration and his professional acumen to the mission of Risheh Institute, ensuring it has the operational strength and community focus to continue its vital work.

Risheh INSTITUTE

✉︎ info@rishehinstitute.com

📞 +1 (312) 937-5091

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