Azim Khamisa
on TED WOMEN 2017
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Join the Peace Thru Forgiveness Movement! Find Strength in Shared Humanity. Connect with a global community of individuals inspired by Azim Khamisa’s message of hope and healing. Share your stories, learn from others, and together, create a world where forgiveness paves the path to a brighter future.
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Early Life and a Global Career
Hailing from Kenya with Eastern roots, Azim Khamisa embraced a multifaceted upbringing nurtured by mathematics, economics, and finance. This foundation propelled him into a thriving career spanning over 45 years in the world of international investment banking. His expertise traversed continents, connecting him with diverse cultures and economies across Africa, the Middle East, Canada, the USA, Europe, and Asia. Azim’s success in navigating complex financial landscapes laid the groundwork for his future journey of immense social impact.
Confronting Tragedy and Choosing Forgiveness:
In 1995, Azim’s life took an unimaginable turn when his son, Tariq, was tragically lost to a gang-related incident. Grief could have easily consumed him, but Azim embarked on a remarkable path – one of forgiveness and transformation. He channeled his pain into positive action and a life of purpose, founding the Tariq Khamisa Foundation (TKF) in his son’s memory. This organization became a beacon of hope, fostering safer schools and communities by instilling in youth the powerful principles of forgiveness, restorative justice, and compassion.
From Personal Healing to Global Inspiration:
Azim’s story resonated deeply, transcending personal tragedy to become a message of universal relevance. He and Ples Felix, the grandfather of the young man who took Tariq’s life, forged an extraordinary bond, sharing their journey of shared loss and forgiveness with millions through TKF’s Peacemaker Assembly. Their impact stretched far and wide, touching now over 2 million individuals and demonstrating the transformative power of understanding, forgiveness and reconciliation.
Legacy of Peace and Advocacy:
Azim’s unwavering commitment to social change has earned him over 80 prestigious awards, including recognition from esteemed figures like Attorney General Janet Reno. He has engaged in dialogue with His Holiness the Dalai Lama and collaborated with global icons like Desmond Tutu and Muhammad Ali. His TED Talk, viewed by over a million people, continues to inspire hope and courage, echoing his message of healing and personal growth. Through five poignant books on redemption, forgiveness, and leadership, Azim shares his wisdom, solidifying his role as a leading voice for positive societal change.
Towards a World of Forgiveness & Global Peace:
Azim’s vision extends beyond TKF’s invaluable work. He has embarked on a bold initiative called the “Peace Thru Forgiveness” Project (PTF), driven by a transformative vision – a world united by forgiveness and bathed in the radiant glow of global peace. This audacious pursuit, born from inspiration manifested during his meditation practice over ten years ago, seeks to ignite the spark of forgiveness within each individual, aiming to weave a tapestry of world peace one heart at a time. In Azim’s words, “TKF is Tariq’s legacy; PTF is mine.” His story showcases the extraordinary power of human resilience and the transformative potential of choosing forgiveness even amidst unimaginable pain. He stands as a testament to the possibility of healing, growth, and creating a better world – a world where forgiveness becomes the bridge to a future brimming with hope and peace.
PEACE THRu FORGIVENESS TEAM
Azim Khamisa
Founder/Chief Executive Officer
Azim Khamisa is a peacemaker who rose from tragedy to inspire millions. Following the loss of his son in 1995, he founded the Tariq Khamisa Foundation, sparking a global forgiveness movement. His dream of world peace through forgiveness is now becoming a reality with the team featured on this website. Azim is an award-winning author, speaker, and media personality, having received over 80 awards, delivered over 700 keynotes, and reached millions through his presentations and TED Talk. He is an emissary of peace, a beacon of hope, and a testament to the power of forgiveness.
Alejandro Hierro
Chief Digital Officer
Alejandro Hierro has over 17 years of career experience in the field of social work. He graduated from the SDSU School of Social Work Bachelor’s program and is the founder of “Mente Abierta” podcast and “Knowmad Prjct” coaching & consultation. His expertise covers human behavior, peak performance, mindfulness, social entrepreneurship, and social media marketing. Alejandro’s focus remains on growing and strengthening his projects, and continuing cross-border collaborations that drive change, personal growth, and social innovation.
Dianne McKay
Chief Operating Officer
Dianne McKay is happily retired, after 30 years as a legal secretary. Ever since meeting Azim in a personal development seminar on Mother’s Day 1998, she has been in service to him, the Tariq Khamisa Foundation, and now Peace Thru Forgiveness. Dianne, husband Ken, and adult son Ian treasure their friendship with Azim, which has enhanced their lives in many ways over the years. Dianne’s personal growth from her work with Azim reinforces her passion to help others find forgiveness and peace.
Meesha De Rumi
Meesha DeRumi holds a master’s degree in English literature and serves clients in the global consciousness community as a freelance Marketing Communications expert and Director of Operations. She met Azim and joined his inspired movement to create world peace in 2018. Meesha is incredibly passionate about sharing Azim’s unique wisdom (achieving Peace Thru Forgiveness) with the world as she has witnessed transformational healing breakthroughs for dozens of people through his guidance.
LIZ RAMOS
Podcast Producer
Liz Ramos is an experienced and dedicated yoga instructor based in Encinitas, CA. With over two decades of teaching experience, she has worked with numerous studios and institutions, including the Sean O’Shea Foundation and the Magdalena Ecke YMCA. Liz’s work with the Sean O’Shea Foundation, where she was an instructor and advisor to the Board of Directors for 12 years, has had a significant impact on underserved San Diego schools and at-risk youth. Her efforts include developing training curriculums, conducting orientations for new yoga teachers, supporting pediatric oncology patients at Rady Children’s Hospital through specialized yoga sessions, and introducing yoga and mindfulness to teens at Kearney Mesa Juvenile Justice Center. She also developed the CALM curriculum – Chair-based Activities for Learning Mindfulness – to help teachers incorporate mindfulness into their classrooms.
Ashley Sharp
Director of Special Projects
Ashley Sharp is a single mom with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology, a lifelong passion for world peace, and a strong belief that humanity is capable of achieving it. She first met Azim in 2021 when he was a guest speaker at a Klemmer leadership and character development seminar she attended. Through casual conversation, they discovered their mutual love and passion for creating world peace, and he invited her to join the Peace Thru Forgiveness project. Azim’s personal success in creating peace through forgiveness has validated Ashley’s own beliefs, inspired her to understand and practice forgiveness, and fueled her commitment to share knowledge and tools with the world to collectively achieve peace.
PEACE THRu FORGIVENESS Intern TEAM
Farideh Albornoz
Farideh Albornoz was welcomed into Peace Through Forgiveness as one of the program’s first interns and has continued her service by helping with research and development efforts. She is a veteran of the United States Navy and a current student at San Diego State University. She will be graduating in the Spring of 2025 with a bachelor’s degree in international business and a minor in accounting.
Marcus Bonner
Marcus Bonner is a dedicated international business student focusing on Japan and a strong passion for global diplomacy. With proficiency in Japanese at the N3 level—on track for N2— he has completed multiple semesters of language study and is eager to apply his cross-cultural communication skills professionally. His academic background, coupled with interests in international trade, diplomacy, and global mobility, aligns with his aspirations of working in government or corporate roles that involve international engagement. He hopes to gain hands-on experience through this internship and further develop the skills necessary for a future career in the Foreign Service or international business.
Matthew Kamienski
Matthew Kamienski is from San Mateo California and currently attending Loyola Marymount University double majoring in marketing and psychology. He loves exercising, playing video games, listening to and making music, talking about philosophy, and helping others. He is excited to be working with PTF because of their mission of forgiving others to achieve a world full of peace. Hearing stories of forgiveness is inspiring, and he strives to follow the organization’s beliefs in his everyday life.
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