Irfan Hasan '85

After graduating from UWC-USA, Irfan earned a Bachelor's degree in Sociology from Northeastern University in Boston, MA and was awarded a Master's in Public Administration from New York University's Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service.

Currently, Irfan is a program officer for the Health and People with Special Needs program area at The New York Community Trust, New York City's community foundation. The trust has assets of about $1.9 billion and made grants totaling about $135 million in 2005. One of two staff members in the health area at the trust, Irfan oversees grantmaking programs in the areas of health services, systems, and policy; children and youth with disabilities; mental health and mental retardation; and services for the blind and visually impaired.

Following September 11, 2001 Irfan was instrumental in developing and launching the mental health services and training program for The September 11 Fund, created the day of the attacks by The New York Community Trust and the United Way of New York City. This $20 million program trained mental health professionals, clergy, doctors, child-care providers, and other social service personnel to provide counseling and support to people affected by the events.

Before joining the trust in May 2000, Irfan spent eight years at Greater Boston Rehabilitation Services, a not-for-profit that helps people with disabilities and other barriers to employment begin or return to work. When he left GBRS in 1998, he was Vice President for Client Services. While in Boston, Irfan spent eight years as a volunteer in the Buddy Program for the AIDS Action Committee and, in 1994, was a founding member of MASALA-Massachusetts Area South Asian Lambda Association.

Irfan currently serves as secretary of the board of directors of the Disability Funder's Network and is chair of its executive search committee. He served as a member of the Council on Foundations Annual Conference Planning Committee for 2004 and 2005.

While living in Boston , Irfan started to help with UWC interviews and, in 1999, was invited to join the U.S. Selection Committee for the United World Colleges. He was appointed co-chair of the committee in 2004 and continues to serve in that role.