Erum Hanif

Erum Hanif, Chief Executive Officer of APNA Brooklyn Community Center, has dedicated her career to social services, women empowerment, diversity, equity, and inclusion. Her journey showcases resilience and dedication, offering inspiration to many. As an immigrant, Erum arrived in the United States with her family, driven by the promise of the American dream. Her work at APNA opened her eyes to the stark realities faced by underserved and unrepresented communities. This realization motivated her to dive into the non-profit sector, engaging with city, state, and federal policies to foster community education, engagement, and empowerment. Her commitment to uplifting women and embracing cultural diversity has been a key part of her efforts, ensuring inclusivity with all partners and community members.

Erum’s inspiration stems from her personal experiences and the unmet needs of the community. She emphasizes the importance of advocacy and representation for historically marginalized groups. Her unwavering dedication to community development, equity, and inclusion has earned her the admiration of many. For Erum, social services are vital for immigrants, low-income families, and non-English speakers in New York. Her role as an advocate is to amplify her community’s voice in decision-making spaces, motivating her relentless efforts to uplift and empower.

Erum believes that broader community impact can be achieved through strategic planning, clear goals, and objectives. At APNA, each social service program starts with a community needs assessment, similar to market research in the corporate world. Understanding the community’s needs and aligning them with the organization’s mission is crucial. Every program requires meticulous planning and securing adequate funding, which is a constant challenge for minority-led non-profits. Data-driven approaches help measure the impact, showing how many lives have been touched by each service. Clear and honest communication is key to connecting with the community and stakeholders, ensuring the message resonates and drives support.

At APNA, diversity and inclusion are fundamental values. The organization offers equal employment and volunteering opportunities to individuals from various ethnicities, languages, cultures, and ages. Volunteers at APNA speak multiple languages, including English, Urdu, Punjabi, Bengali, Russian, Uzbek, Pashto, Spanish, Arabic, and Chinese. The diverse team includes students, young adults, and seniors, both male and female, all treated with dignity and respect. This inclusive environment fosters a sense of belonging and community within the organization.

Erum has developed a robust system for managing grants, ensuring transparency and compliance. Each grant has unique guidelines and requirements, including scope, budget, and reporting. Erum has trained her finance and program teams to understand these requirements in advance. The program implementation plan is designed to ensure compliance, with each grant separated by its purpose and scope. This systematic approach ensures effective and efficient grant management, aligning with the organization’s mission and goals.

Erum firmly believes in the transformative power of technology. APNA uses various software for case management, food pantry operations, and finance, streamlining processes and reducing turnaround time. APNA’s Food Pantry is the first in NYC to become 100% digital for client check-ins. Data is used to ensure programs meet grant requirements and to share the impact with stakeholders and the community. Digital media is also utilized to engage and inform the community about current and future programs, enhancing outreach and engagement.

When implementing new processes or policies, Erum follows a structured approach. She identifies areas where changes would be beneficial, defines clear objectives, engages stakeholders, designs simple and clear processes, communicates effectively, prioritizes training, and monitors the implementation to gather feedback. This ensures smooth transitions and effective adoption of new initiatives. The success of each program at APNA is measured by key performance indicators (KPIs), reflecting the number of clients served. Data plays a crucial role in acquiring necessary funding and driving community upliftment. Accurate data collection and analysis help in understanding the program’s impact, ensuring that resources are used effectively to meet community needs.

Erum believes in staying informed about policy and legislative changes is crucial. She actively participates in coalitions advocating for immigrant and marginalized communities, as well as those addressing food insecurities and senior issues. These coalitions provide valuable insights, helping integrate changes into APNA’s strategic plans. Erum advises aspiring leaders to understand that community advocacy is about making real change. She emphasizes the importance of strategic approaches and connecting with like-minded groups to form powerful coalitions. Rather than duplicating efforts, joining forces can create a stronger impact. Erum’s key advice is to embrace continuous learning and development to bring transformative change.

Erum has been honored with numerous accolades, including the Non-Profit 40 Under 40 Rising Star award from City and State New York in 2021, the AAPI Leadership Award by the New York State Senator during the 2024 Asian American and Pacific Islanders Celebration in Albany, and selections for the CORO and NYIC-Immigrant Civic Leadership Program in 2022, and the New American Leaders training program in 2024. She has also received multiple awards from Federal, State, and City representatives for her dedicated work for marginalized communities in NYC.

Erum ensures that community representation aligns with business growth by building strategies with the community. Inclusive engagement, reducing barriers to participation, and amplifying the community’s unique attributes are essential steps. She emphasizes the importance of diverse voices in developing the organization’s future vision and strategy.

Erum is a determined, career-focused woman and a dedicated community advocate who works tirelessly to uplift underserved communities, especially Muslims and black and brown communities in NYC. She has brought essential services and programs to these communities and is active in civic bodies like the NYC Civic Engagement Commission and Community Board 13. A lifelong learner, Erum has an advanced certificate in Immigration Law from CUNY, is preparing for the NY bar exam, and holds degrees in business administration and law.

Erum’s key goals for APNA in the upcoming years include expanding programs for Youth Empowerment, Career and Job Readiness, Advocacy efforts, and Mental Health and Substance Abuse prevention services. These initiatives aim to address critical needs and foster community growth. Erum Hanif’s journey and leadership at APNA Brooklyn Community Center exemplify the power of dedication and vision in driving community empowerment and advocacy. Her work continues to inspire and impact many, setting a benchmark for effective community leadership.