Najam is a consulting firm that partners with funders to walk the justice talk, share power, and get things done. We strive to center clarity, authenticity, and joy in everything we do.
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Clarity
Many challenges stem from unclear language, unchecked jargon, or vague purposes. Building on that observation, we seek clarity in terminology, purposes, and processes whenever possible, and name ambiguity if that’s where we are at. Our belief is that seeking clarity leads to more intentional collective purpose and action.
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Authenticity
To us, authenticity means the ability to say what we mean and mean what we say. At times, it also means openly discussing diverging opinions or values, and deeply listening. In everything we do, we strive to seek authentic relationships and design authentic spaces because we believe that authenticity allows groups and individuals to move through conflict, find the most creative solutions, and grow.
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Joy
We think progress and transformation come when there’s joy in the process, so why not aim for that? By joy, we envision a practice rather than a feeling. A practice of remembering to engage our whole bodies (not just our minds) when having difficult conversations, connecting data to stories, or simply remembering to laugh.
Kheira Issaoui-Mansouri, Founder and Managing Director
Photo by Courtney Morrison
Kheira Issaoui-Mansouri is a philanthropic advisor, facilitator, and advocate for racial and economic justice. Over the course of her 15+ years career, she has supported dozens of organizations and leaders in clarifying their goals, interrogating their assumptions, and acting with intention.
When a vision is present but the plan for action is fuzzy, Kheira excels at illuminating the way to thoughtful implementation, designing processes to get things done, and ensuring there’s community accountability and learning along the way. As the founder and managing director of Najam Consulting, she leads a portfolio of work across sectors including gender and reproductive justice, environmental justice, and democracy. Kheira’s prior roles include serving as Director and Equity Lead at Arabella Advisors, leading an early childhood mental health portfolio as Program Officer at the Irving Harris Foundation, and navigating the waters of corporate social responsibility at the Ford Center for Global Citizenship.
Kheira holds a MA in political science from University of Montreal and a BA in economics from Laval University. She is an alumna of the Just Economy Institute and serves on the boards of the Chicago Abortion Fund and Groundswell Fund. When she’s not supporting clients and volunteering, she enjoys watching stand-up comedy, eating carbs in all their variations, and having impromptu existential conversations.
“I have worked with many consultants and Kheira was the most proactive communicator and effective collaborator I have had the privilege of working with. She is thoughtful, perceptive, and deeply rooted in equitable, liberatory, and decolonized practices that make working together a truly transformative experience!”
-Makkah Ali, former Director of Racial Equity Initiatives at Borealis Philanthropy