The Religion News Foundation (RNF) and its wholly owned subsidiary, Religion News Service (RNS), today announced the appointment of two new members to the RNF Board of Trustees, Shahed Amanullah and Robyn Tomlin.
“I’m delighted to welcome Shahed Amanullah and Robyn Tomlin to RNF’s Board of Trustees,” said RNF/S’s CEO and Publisher Deborah Caldwell. “Both bring unique and exceptional skills and experiences that will contribute greatly to our work shining a light on the importance of religion and spirituality in today’s world.”
Shahed Amanullah is Managing Director of Frost Capital, a Palo Alto-based private equity fund manager and investment advisor. He also co-founded Affinis Labs, an award-winning social innovation firm that was acquired by Frost Capital in 2019. Shahed also co-founded Zakatify, a social impact fintech startup in partnership with the PayPal Giving Fund. From 2020-2023, he served as SVP of Digital Products and interim SVP of Marketing at growth strategy consulting firm Frost & Sullivan. From 2010-2014, Shahed served in President Obama’s administration as Senior Advisor for Technology at the US Department of State, working under Secretary Hillary Clinton on entrepreneurship & technology initiatives. In 1998, he created Zabihah, the world’s first global Halal restaurant guide (acquired 2023), and founded Altmuslim, an online magazine with 2.5 million annual unique users, serving as its editor-in-chief (acquired 2011). He serves on the boards of the Muslim Public Service Network and the Islamic Scholarship Fund, and serves as an Entrepreneurship Mentor at the Aspen Institute, advising Aspen Digital on their Digital Equity Accelerator.
“Religion is a key factor in many of the top issues of the day in the United States and internationally,” said Shahed Amanullah. “RNF/S plays an essential role in exploring the issues that need to be explored and telling the stories that need to be told. I look forward to contributing to this vitally important effort.”
Robyn Tomlin is the chief news officer for McClatchy, overseeing all news, opinion and multimedia content created across the network’s 30 local news sites and affiliated brands. She previously was vice president of local news for McClatchy and former president/executive editor of The News & Observer (Raleigh, N.C.), for which McClatchy is the parent company. Prior to joining McClatchy, Robyn was VP/managing editor for The Dallas Morning News, chief digital officer/VP of communications at the Pew Research Center, editor of Digital First Media’s Project Thunderdome and an executive editor at several other local newspapers. Robyn is also currently a faculty/coach in Poynter’s Media Transformation Challenge program.
“RNF/S stands out in today’s changing media environment by producing intelligent and independent journalism that people trust,” said Robyn Tomlin. “I’m excited to work with the board to help support an organization that seeks to create community and enhance conversations about religion.”
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About Religion News Foundation
Religion News Foundation (RNF) is a nonprofit organization founded in 1999. Its purpose is to enhance understanding and drive conversation about religion, and support independent journalism that produces these stories. RNF views religion as an evolving landscape that spans belief and non-belief; long-established communities and emerging spiritual innovators; communal practices and customs; and individual searches for meaning.
About Religion News Service
Religion News Service (RNS) is a wholly owned subsidiary of RNF. It is an independent, nonprofit source of global news on religion, spirituality, culture and ethics, reported by a staff of professional journalists. Founded in 1934, RNS informs readers with objective reporting and insightful commentary. It does not endorse or promote any particular belief system or point of view. RNS is relied upon by readers, listeners and viewers in the United States and around the world. Visit ReligionNews.com.
