Penny Appeal, the Muslim international humanitarian charity based in Wakefield, Yorkshire, is pleased to announce the appointment of Ridwana Wallace-Laher as its new Chief Executive Officer.
Ridwana, a former teacher at the Yorkshire (Bradford) Co-op Academy Grange, is well-versed in empowering and mentoring people from all sorts of backgrounds. Ridwana’s appointment comes after being part of the Penny Appeal team for three years, with experience of working in various roles, including her most recent position as Senior Director of Growth. She has a strong track record of leading diverse teams, building relationships with stakeholders, and encouraging collaboration.
Penny Appeal CEO, Ridwana Wallace-Laher says: “It has been an honour to have been part of the core unit that has led the positive change Penny Appeal has made in the faith-led charity sector globally. My commitment to greater governance, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement, combined with my background as a senior teaching professional, make me confident that I can drive Penny Appeal’s success even further in the future.
Mohammed Jahangir, Chairman of Trustees, said: “I am delighted to welcome Ridwana Wallace-Laher as new CEO of Penny Appeal. She stood out against all other candidates through a tough selection process, and I am proud to have her as our new CEO of Penny Appeal,”
Jahangir continues, “Ridwana Wallace-Laher is the first Muslim woman to hold the CEO position at a major international charity; may she be the first of many Muslim women to do so! At a time when the world is facing a global economic crisis, when many in the UK and abroad are struggling to feed themselves and pay electricity bills, and when people in Turkey and Syria are suffering due to the recent earthquake, we at Penny Appeal are trying our best to help those who need it by supporting them and providing aid during these times or events. The trustees are confident that Ridwana is woman who will take Penny Appeal to new heights in order to help those in need! We believe she will transform and grow the charity for the digital age whilst staying true to our core values of helping those in need. I look forward to seeing the positive impact that Ridwana will have on the charity and her leadership to make the world a better place!”
