SALDEF Hires Executive Director, Begins Third Decade

SALDEF Appoints Professional with Nonprofit, Academic and Military experience

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Deepinder Singh—an accomplished academic, nonprofit trail-blazer, and U.S. Army veteran—was recently chosen to lead the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF) into its third decade. Most recently, Deepinder served as Director for the Center for Catholic Studies and Interfaith Dialogue and a full-time faculty member in the Philosophy and Religious Studies Department at Madonna University in Michigan. “Deepinder stood out among a number of impressive candidates during our search because of the depth and breadth of his experience,” said SALDEF Board Chair Manjit Singh (no relation), who serves on President Obama’s Advisory Council on Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships. “We are thrilled that Deepinder will be leading SALDEF into its third decade so we can continue developing innovative programs to create a more inclusive society.” “I am honored and privileged to join an organization with such a phenomenal record of empowering the Sikh Americans–and, indeed–all Americans,” said Deepinder. “All the volunteers, board members, and staff during the last two decades have created the ideal conditions to make the organization even more impactful.” Deepinder Singh succeeds Jasjit Singh (no relation), who immediately followed his seven-year tenure at SALDEF by becoming a Senior Policy Advisor at the White House Advisory Council on Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships in Washington, DC earlier this year. Deepinder Singh’s bio appears below. He is available for TV, print, and web interviews. — Deepinder Singh has played an important role in academics, advancement, policy research and implementation in the roles of professor, academic administrator and director for numerous centers in the fields of academics and nonprofit, civil-rights advocacy. Deepinder comes to us from Madonna University in Michigan, where he was concurrently Director for the Center for Catholic Studies and Interfaith Dialogue while serving as a full-time faculty member in the Philosophy and Religious Studies Department. Deepinder has a B.A. in history and philosophy and a Masters in philosophy from Western Michigan University. His doctoral dissertation and research is in political philosophy. Deepinder has presented his research at academic conferences, held workshops at major research institutions, and has been the recipient of numerous grants and awards. Outside of academics, Deepinder is a United States Army Veteran and has served honorably in numerous areas of conflict. He is from Chelsea, Michigan. -End-