Tarik is the first Director of Music Programs for The ELMA Philanthropy Services, leading the expansion of The ELMA Music Foundation’s portfolio, reach, and impact, in the U.S. and South Africa with organizations that are using music as an effective youth development tool. This portfolio has grown to include over 40 partner organizations across the U.S. and South Africa, totaling over $14M in commitments. He also leads ELMA’s global operations team across its New York, Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Kampala offices. He recently led the acquisition and development of a new ~18,000 sq. ft. office in New York.
Tarik’s career also includes seven years as an Attitude Determination Control Officer Flight Controller for the International Space Station at NASA; two years consulting at Deloitte, including a focus on consulting with education and early childhood development nonprofits; and two years as COO of The Commit! Partnership, a Dallas-based collective impact nonprofit focused on expanding access to quality education for all children and youth from cradle to career.
Tarik has a BS in Aerospace Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and an MBA and MA in Education from Stanford University. He (kinda) continues to play the trumpet, has amassed a music collection that includes over 100,000 digital songs and dozens of vinyl and CD collectibles, and frequently DJs his Zoom calls.