Known for her compassion, dedication to making a difference, and commitment to operational excellence, Lina Hourani-Harajli joined ACCESS, the most comprehensive Arab American community nonprofit in the nation, in 2000.
Since joining the administrative team, she has represented the agency in progressively increasing capacities and was named Chief Operating Officer (COO) in 2014. As COO, Lina oversees all of ACCESS’ program and operational areas, encompassing 120 programs that provide more 1 million services per year to the diverse communities the agency serves.
Her accomplishments with ACCESS include the creation of the Business Operations division; the negotiation of many sizable contracts that resulted in millions of dollars in savings for the organization; leading the migration of the agency to a cloud-based IT infrastructure; spearheading the implementation of an integrated Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA); and leading purchases and renovations of numerous facilities. Lina also oversees ACCESS’ Diversity, Equity, Inclusion (DEI), and belonging initiatives with the aim of ACCESS’ mission of a fair and eqitable society with the full participation of Arab Americans.
Before joining ACCESS, Lina worked in the private sector for over 10 years. She received her bachelor’s degree in business administration, with a concentration in accounting, from the University of Michigan-Dearborn, and is active in various community, cultural and educational organizations.
Lina has been appointed by the Governor of Michigan to multiple terms on the Executive Board for the State of Michigan’s Commission on Middle Eastern American Affairs (CMEAA) as treasurer. The Commission, housed within the Office of Global Michigan, operates in an advisory capacity to the Governor on issues of economic development, coordination of state services, public awareness and combatting discrimination within Michigan’s Middle Eastern communities.
Lina earned her Strategic Perspectives in Nonprofit Management certification from Harvard University Business School in 2022. She is a Leadership Detroit XXXV graduate and is a current serving member on the Community Catalyst Board and Finance Committee; Wayne State University Advisory Board; Greenlight Fund Detroit Selection Advisory Council; and the Comerica Community Development Advisory Council. She previously served on the JPMorgan Chase Community Advisory Board and with the Girl Scouts of America Middle Eastern Advisory Committee.
Lina resides in Dearborn, Michigan with her husband and wonderful four children. She is a voracious reader, loves traveling and being a Mom.