By Airik Myers, Northwest Region

When Hakim talks about service, he starts long before his time with the Red Cross. He traces it back to Mumbai, where he grew up in a family that treated helping others as a daily practice rather than an occasional act. His parents taught him to give fully, even when it meant stepping outside his comfort zone. Those early lessons stayed with him when he moved to the United States, a place that felt unfamiliar at first but soon became home through community and connection.

After joining Microsoft, Hakim learned about a Red Cross recruitment effort tied to Ready When the Time Comes, a program preparing volunteers for a potential flooding event in South Seattle. He completed the training and officially became a volunteer. The flooding never happened, but the experience opened the door to something larger. He began signing up for more activities and, through events like the October Giving Campaign and Missing Maps, he met volunteers and staff who helped him feel rooted in the mission. One step led to another, and by September 2022, he had joined the board.

Finding Meaning in Preparedness and Support

Hakim volunteers through Sound the Alarm and as a Transportation Specialist, roles that have shown him the depth of planning behind every Red Cross effort. What stands out most to him is how supported volunteers feel from the moment they arrive. Clear documentation, accessible points of contact, and thoughtful structure make it easy to step in and serve.

“That sense of preparedness allows me to focus on contributing rather than feeling uncertain,” he said. “Behind all of that structure is strong leadership and incredibly passionate individuals who create an environment where volunteers feel confident and ready to help.”

Creating Connection Through Culture

Anyone who has attended a board meeting with Hakim knows he brings something extra to the room. His inclusiveness in cultural practices and icebreakers have become a small but meaningful tradition. For him, these moments are about helping people show up as themselves, not just as representatives of their roles.

“Meetings can sometimes feel transactional,” he said. “These moments help create shared experiences that build trust and make collaboration easier. Even small, intentional moments can shift the energy and open the door for more genuine conversations.” Over time, he has seen how these simple gestures help people feel more comfortable, more engaged, and more willing to contribute.

Staying Connected to the Work

On board meeting days, Hakim often works from the Red Cross office. Those informal interactions with staff have become an important part of his service. A quick check-in, a personal story, or a conversation about challenges on the ground helps him stay connected to the day-to-day work behind the decisions the board makes.

“Every time I’m in the office, it feels less like visiting a workplace and more like coming home to family,” he said.

Hakim has also helped mobilize support through the Microsoft Giving Campaign. He has found that people are most inspired to give when they understand the real impact of their support. Sharing stories, connecting, giving to meaningful moments, and leading by example have all helped spark engagement.

His faith community, the Dawoodi Bohras of Seattle, recently made its first donation to support flood response. The recent flooding in Washington created a moment of connection as his community stepped in to support residents in Duvall. Hakim used that momentum to inspire support for the Red Cross mission.

He was also on the ground working during the floods. On Christmas Eve, Hakim spent time thanking deployed volunteers. Those conversations left a lasting impression.

“I was reminded that many volunteers, with decades of service, willingly step away from their families and holidays to support communities in need,” he said. “The Red Cross is built on people who consistently put others first, often at personal cost. That level of commitment is truly inspiring.”

Leading with Empathy and Presence

Hakim is known across the organization for building genuine relationships. His approach is guided by empathy, consistency, and authenticity. He prioritizes listening, following through, and showing up. Those simple actions create trust and lasting connections. Looking back on his time on the board, he is proud of the impact he has had in raising awareness through diversity and inclusion efforts and helping create space for more open and authentic conversations.

“I hope my leadership shows that combining inclusive thinking with innovative approaches can strengthen both culture and mission delivery,” he said.