Tarik is the first Director of Music Programs for The ELMA Philanthropy Services. Tarik will be leading the expansion of The ELMA Music Foundation’s portfolio, reach, and impact, in the United States and South Africa with organizations that are using music as an effective youth development tool.

Tarik brings to the role a robust career in the public, private and non-profit sectors in the U.S. He also brings a passion for the role music can play in education and youth development.

Tarik’s career includes seven years as a  Flight Controller for the International Space Station with NASA, two years consulting at Deloitte, including a focus on consulting with  education and early childhood development non-profits, and  two years as COO of The Commit! Partnership, a Dallas-based collective impact non-profit focused on expanding access to quality education for all children and youth from cradle to career.

Tarik has a BS in Aerospace Engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and an MBA and MA in Education from Stanford University. He plays the trumpet and has amassed a digital music collection that includes nearly 100,000 songs.