Frank F. Islam is an entrepreneur, philanthropist, civic leader and writer. Frank has a special commitment to civic, educational and artistic causes. In all ofhis endeavors, he strives to create opportunities that are sustainable and uplifting for humanity — guided by the virtues of hard work, focus, quality, innovation and kindness.
Frank currently heads the FI Investment Group, a private investment holding company that he established in 2007 after he sold his information technology firm, the QSS Group. Frank founded the QSS Group in 1994 and built it from 1 employee to more than 2,000 employees and revenues of approximately $300M before its sale.
Frank devotes the majority of time currently to a wide variety of civic and philanthropic activities. He serves and has served on numerous boards and advisory councils including the following:
Artistic Involvement
- Board of Trustees of the JohnKennedyCenter for the Performing Arts ( 2013 to 2019)
- Board of Directors, StrathmoreCenter for the Arts (2008 to 2012)
- Kennedy Center International Committee on the Arts (2013 to present)
Civic Involvement
- Brookings Institution Council (2010 to present)
- Member of Center of American Progress ( CAP) Foreign Policy Advisory Council ( 2015 to Present)
- Woodrow Wilson Center National Cabinet ( 2012 to Present)
- International Advisory Council of the U.S. Institute of Peace (2009 to present)
- National Democratic Institute (NDI) Chairman’s Council (2013 to 2016)
- Maryland Governor International Advisory Council (2011 to present)
- Department of Commerce Industry Trade Advisory Committee (ITAC) (2010 to present)
- Advisory Committee of the Export-Import Bank of the United States (2010 to 2011)
Higher Education Involvement
- Member of the advisory board at the School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) Johns Hopkins University Advisory Council (2013 to present)
- Member of the advisory board of the University of Maryland Smith School of business (2009 to present)
- Member of the JohnsHopkinsCareyBusinessSchool Dean’s Advisory Council (2014 to present)
- George Mason University School of Management Dean’s Council (2012 to present)
- American University School of International Service Dean’s Council (2013 to present)
- University of Malaysia (UTM) International Advisory Panel (2012 to present)
- Board of Trustees of the AmericanUniversity in the Emirates (AUE) (2012 to present)
- Board of Trustees of the American University of Afghanistan
- Board of Trustees of Marymount University.
Charitable Involvement
- The Frank Islam & Debbie Driesman Charitable Foundation ( President – 2007 to present)
- Board of Directors, Potomac Charities, Inc. ( Founding chairman – 2008 to the present)
Business Involvement
- Board of Maryland-India Business Roundtable ( Founding member -2003 and 2004)
- Board of Directors, The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE), Washington, C. chapter (2007 to 2009)
- SouthAsiaCenter at Atlantic Council (Founding member)
Over the past several years, Frank has established a reputation as a writer and thought leader. He has authored two books: Working the Pivot Points: To Make America Work Again (2013); and, Renewing the American Dream: A Citizen’s Guide for Restoring Our Competitive Advantage (2010). He is presently writing a third book with the working title: Education: Creating and Connecting All the Dots.
Frank blogs regularly for The Huffington Post and also writes occasional columns and articles for publications such as the Foreign Policy, the International Business Times and the Economic Times of India.
He hosts his own TV show “Washington Current Review” on MHz Networks and is called upon to speak frequently in a variety of business, education and non-profit venues.
In 2014 he was awarded The Indus Entrepreneurs (Tie) Legends Award
In 2015 he was awarded Martin Luther King Jr. Legacy Award for International Service.
Frank was an active participant in the information technology, aerospace engineering services, and systems integration business for more than twenty-five years. During his professional career, he garnered multiple industry awards for leadership, entrepreneurship and excellence. He was recognized by the Ernst and Young as Maryland Entrepreneur of the Year and the US Small Business Administration selected him as the Small Business Person of the Year of the Washington DC Metropolitan Area in 2001.
Frank received his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Computer Science from the University of Colorado.