Ms. Foundation for Women has named Anika Rahman as its new president and CEO. Rahman will join the staff of the Ms. Foundation for Women in February of 2011.

Rahman comes to the Ms. Foundation for Women from Americans for UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund), where she served as president for six years. In her tenure, Rahman was able to significantly increase United States funding for the UNFPA from both public and private sources and made a powerful impact on American awareness of the global issues facing women.  Rahman is a graduate of Princeton University and Columbia Law School. She practiced law, served as director of International Programs for the Center for Reproductive Rights where she led global programs and managed the policy team. Rahman was drawn to Ms. Foundation for Women’s charge of ending violence, increasing participation in democracy, creating economic justice and ensuring women’s health.

Interim president Susan Wefald will work closely with Rahman to ensure a smooth transition and then will continue in her role as chief operating officer.

The Ms. Foundation for Women helps more than 150 innovative grassroots organizations nationwide fight for changes like good paying jobs, reproductive health and justice, prevention of violence against women and the inclusion of women at decision-making tables. The Ms. Foundation for Women has invested over $50 million and influenced other funders to support solutions from the ground up. The Ms. Foundation for Women delivers funding, builds skills and connects social justice trailblazers with allies to create change that benefits women, families and communities. For more information please visit www.ms.foundation.org.