Ali Noorani (’99) Named ‘Rising Star and Provocateur’ for Issue Advocacy Skills.

As executive director of the National Immigration Forum, Ali Noorani (’99) is at ease navigating Washington’s corridors of power. But a recent Ozy digital magazine profile of Noorani reveals how the former Bostonian uses a deft combination of humor and pop-culture swagger to build bridges between opposing sides in the immigration debate.

The article names Noorani one of Ozy’s “Rising Stars and Provocateurs” and highlights his unusual and timely talent for bringing people together for substantive talks about a traditionally contentious issue:

Perhaps it’s his wit; perhaps it’s his laid-back demeanor. But whatever his charm, this Kanye-listening liberal has found a way to get conservatives to listen to him—and on a pretty touchy subject too. Indeed, since taking the helm in 2008 at the National Immigration Forum, a traditionally left-leaning outfit, he has managed to bring together everyone from conservative Southern Baptists to tax-abolitionist Grover Norquist to the usual liberal suspects. A debate that so far had been waged from the corners is now taking place in the middle. “Ali has done a fascinating thing,” Norquist says. “With him, the many quieter voices that weren’t heard before now outweigh the loud voices.”

Before moving to DC, Noorani was executive director of the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition, the state’s largest organization promoting the rights and integration of immigrants and refugees. Noorani served as the director of public health for the Dorchester House Multi-Service Center and Codman Square Health Center, large community health centers that serve one of the most diverse neighborhoods in Boston.

The California-born Noorani is the son of Pakistani immigrants and one of the few immigration leaders of Muslim heritage. While still a student in the School of Public Health, Noorani was a leader in local efforts for social justice, first as acting director of Boston’s Environmental Diversity Forum and then as director of the Greater Boston Urban Resources Partnership.

Noorani, who earned a master’s in 2000, is a recipient of the Alfred L. Frechette Award from the Massachusetts Public Health Association for exceptional leadership in promoting social justice and a winner of a 2007 Boston University Young Alumni Award.