Mirza Family Foundation
The Mirza family Foundation was represented by Dr. M. Yaqub Mirza who was a foundingboard member of MPI- he recently passed away in December 2025. Dr. Mirza was a founder and President of the Center for Islam in the Contemporary World at Shenandoah University. He was also a founder, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Sterling Management Group, Inc. In addition, Dr. Mirza had more than forty years of experience in stock investments and portfolio management.
He was the author of Five Pillars of Prosperity: Essentials of Faith-Based Wealth Building, published by White Cloud Press in 2014.
Dr. Mirza was a founding trustee and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Amana Mutual Funds. He also served on the boards of numerous other organizations, including several for-profit and not-for-profit entities, as well as academic institutions. He was a member of the International Advisory Council of the International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilization (ISTAC) at the International Islamic University Malaysia. He occupied multiple roles at Shenandoah University and, among other responsibilities, was a member of the Board of Advisors of the Byrd School of Business, as well as a member of the Board of Trustees.
Dr. Mirza received numerous awards and widespread recognition for his work in entrepreneurship and community service. These included the 2002 Entrepreneur Award from the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry (San Jose, California); the 2006 and 2017 Byrd Distinguished Entrepreneur Speaker Series awards from the Byrd School of Business at Shenandoah University; the 2012 Recognition Award for Community Service from the American Muslim Alliance; a 2013 award from the Muslim American Coalition Council and Public Affairs Council; and the ISNA Community Service Award in 2015. The Board of Trustees of Shenandoah University recognized Dr. Mirza’s contributions with a “Resolution of Appreciation” in October 2018.
Dr. Mirza held an MSc from the University of Karachi (1969), a PhD in Physics (1974), and an MA in Teaching Science (1975) from the University of Texas at Dallas.