Rafia Khader

Director of Religion Programs

Religion — Programming

About Rafia

Rafia Khader joined Chautauqua Institution in August 2023. As director of religion programs, Rafia oversees the development, implementation, and management of the Interfaith Lecture Series, the cornerstone of the Department of Religion’s work during the Summer Assembly. In addition, she oversees and directs the development of online open enrollment courses, custom workshops, and special studies offerings for the Institution’s Department of Religion.

Prior to joining the Institution, Rafia most recently served as program manager at LaunchGood, overseeing the crowdfunding platform’s Ramadan, Dhul Hijjah, and Giving Tuesday campaigns. She also served as a program manager at the Lake Institute on Faith & Giving and the Muslim Philanthropy Initiative at the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University. While there, she was also the managing editor and book review editor of the Journal of Muslim Philanthropy & Civil Society, published by Indiana University Press. Rafia has a bachelor’s degree in economics from Benedictine University and a master’s degree in religious studies from the University of Chicago Divinity School.

Why did you choose to work at Chautauqua? What do you like about working at Chautauqua?

Religion is one of Chautauqua’s four pillars. As someone who has devoted most of her academic and professional career to examining the continued importance of religion in the world, I am excited about the opportunity to convene conversations around faith with some of the nation’s most profound thinkers and emerging new leaders. And what a joy it is to be able to talk about theology with my colleagues!

Personal Interests

Reading, writing, running, history, political theory, and of course, all things religion. I also really love cows and a good chocolate cake (I’m really picky)!