Leadership Circle

Agnes Chong has dedicated her career to serving the nonprofit sector and understanding its dynamics, particularly in Muslim communities.  She has most recently served as Vice President and Board Member of the American Muslim Community Foundation (2017-2023).  Agnes earned her doctorate and master’s at Stanford Law School, researching the impact of post-9/11 counter-terrorism measures on Muslim community organizations in the U.S., U.K., and Australia and exploring how legal frameworks shape community organizations.  Passionate about interdisciplinary scholarship, Agnes co-founded the Stanford Program in Law and Society to promote socio-legal research. She has held leadership roles in many organizations including CAIR and the Australian Muslim Civil Rights Advocacy Network. In her hometown of Sydney, Australia, she worked in the community law sector as an attorney, policy officer, and community legal educator.

Eaman Shebley is a CPA and founder of TACS, a boutique firm providing Tax, Advisory, and Fractional CFO services to entrepreneurs, family offices, and nonprofits. With over 20 years of experience, she has helped clients grow with confidence – guiding some from W-2 employees to 8-figure business owners.
Eaman holds a Master’s in Accounting and Financial Management and leads with a values-based approach rooted in faith and equity. She integrates Islamic finance principles and works closely with clients to build legacy through purpose-driven strategy – including philanthropic tools like Donor Advised Funds to make giving both impactful and intentional.
She is also passionate about financial education, especially for women and underserved communities. Through workshops and speaking engagements, Eaman helps demystify business finance and equip leaders with tools to thrive. She works closely with philanthropists and nonprofit leaders to make giving not just generous but strategic – guiding clients in setting up structures like Donor Advised Funds (DAFs) that align with their values and expand their impact.
Eaman brings a grounded, empathetic approach to her work, blending technical knowledge with purpose-driven leadership to help communities grow with intention.

A Women’s Giving Circle member, she provides grant writing services and communication strategies to community-based nonprofits. She earned her M.A. in Writing, Rhetoric, and Technical Communication from James Madison University, her B.A. in International Studies and Religious Studies from Towson University, and is currently a PhD student in Technical Communication and Rhetoric at Texas Tech University. Her diverse academic and professional experiences in peace building efforts, human rights, and community building are key to her work in supporting nonprofits serving marginalized and underrepresented communities.

Zahra brings over 15 years of dedicated experience in the philanthropic sector, specializing in strategic fundraising to support mission-driven organizations. In her current role at Candid, Zahra builds vital relationships with institutional funders to secure the resources that empower nonprofits with data, tools, and training. Previously, she provided fundraising expertise as a consultant for the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists and the World Food Program USA, and served as a program associate at the Greater Washington Community Foundation. She holds an MPA in human rights and humanitarian policy from Columbia University and a BA. in economics and mathematics from NYU. Zahra’s diverse experience highlights her commitment to advancing meaningful causes through strategic fundraising.