Kimahli Powell, CEO of Rainbow Railroad, joins the Concordia Leadership Council

Concordia is pleased to announce the joining of Kimahli Powell to the Leadership Council, a wonderful addition to our esteemed panel of advisory experts.

As a senior leader in the INGO field with a focus on international development, law and policy, HIV/AIDS, and internally displaced persons, Kimahli Powell is an invaluable expert on community building and strategic advocacy.

Since joining Rainbow Railroad as CEO, Kimahli has led the organization through transformational growth, helping thousands of people in the process. Under his leadership, Rainbow Railroad expanded its international reach and completed successful crisis interventions in Chechnya, Egypt, Uganda, and more recently Afghanistan and Ukraine.  Kimahli and Rainbow Railroad have been recognized with several awards, including the International Lesbian & Gay Travel Association’s Pathfinder Award, the Mark S. Bonham Centre for Sexual Diversity Studies’ 2018 Award, and the 2018 Inspire Award for Community Organization of the Year. Kimahli has served as a board member for ILGA, former Chair of the Dignity Network and is a current board member of the Foundation for Black Communities and Refugee Council USA. Kimahli is a regular contributor to international media with appearances on CNN, MSNBC, CBC, BBC and a profile on 60 Minutes.

“I’m pleased to join the Concordia Leadership Council and welcome the opportunity to learn from, and work alongside, distinguished leaders from around the world. As CEO of Rainbow Railroad, our work takes place at the heart of the global refugee crisis, and brings the expertise of LGBTQI+ forcibly displaced persons to the forefront of the conversation. I look forward to working with colleagues on today’s most significant global challenges,” commented Powell.

Kimahli completed his undergraduate studies in Political Science at the University of Ottawa. He holds a Doctor of Laws from the University of Victoria. Among his career highlights is supporting Dignitas International’s innovative work in supporting community based – system health strengthening in Malawi, as well as helping launch the HIV Legal Network’s constitutional challenge to Jamaica’s anti-sodomy law while developing a monitoring and evaluation framework on legal advocacy.

“Kimahli’s leadership qualities and deep understanding of the importance of inclusivity in global cooperation make him an invaluable partner to Concordia,” said Hanne Dalmut, Senior Director of   Partnerships  at   Concordia.   “We   are   confident   that   Powell’s   wealth   of   expertise   and knowledge will serve as a valuable asset in our endeavors to embrace the power of advocacy and demonstrate the true value in bringing people and communities together around the crucial issues of the day. We are excited to draw on Powell’s wisdom and know he will bring a much-needed perspective.”

To view the complete list of Concordia leadership Council members, click here.