Obama appoints Indian-origin philanthropist Azita Raji

Washington, Sep 7: President Barack

has appointed

-origin philanthropist Azita Raji, who reportedly raised more than $3 million in contributions for his 2012 re-election campaign, to a key administration post.

San Francisco-based Azita Raji, a trustee of Barnard College, and a founding co-chair of the Athena Leadership Council of Barnard's Athena Centre for Leadership Studies, has been appointed as Member of the President's Commission on White House Fellowships.

"I am honoured that these talented individuals have decided to join this Administration and serve our country. I look forward to working with them in the months and years to come," Obama said in a statement announcing her appointment with nine others.

According to the White House announcement, Raji is also co-chair of Barnard's development committee, and is a member of the executive committee, the investment committee, and the strategic planning advisory group.

Earlier in her career, Raji, a chartered financial analyst, held senior positions at firms including JP Morgan Securities, Solomon Brothers, and Drexel Burnham Lambert. She was National Finance Vice-Chair for Obama for America in 2012 and is a member of the Advisory Board of the Social Enterprise Programme at Columbia Business School.

Raji received a BA in Architecture and French from Barnard College and an M.B.A. in Finance from Columbia Business School.

IANS