Sada Cumber is a Pakistani–American entrepreneur, philanthropist, and diplomat. He is an expert on US foreign policy and national security issues. In 2008, President George W. Bush named him the first U.S. special Envoy to the Organisation of the Islamic Conference, which promotes Muslim solidarity in social and political affairs. In that capacity, Cumber advanced United States interests among the OIC's 57 members nations, including promoting mutual understanding and dialogue while combating intolerance, extremism and the conditions which create it.
Early history
Mr. Cumber was born in Karachi, Pakistan in 1951. He holds a bachelor's degree in commerce and a master's degree in history, both from the University of Karachi. As a young adult, he worked in his family's photo studio.
Mr. Cumber came to the United States in 1978 with his wife, Mumtaz, and has been an American citizen since 1986.
Business and entrepreneurship
Cumber is an entrepreneur and investor. His business background is in senior management, marketing, and imaging technology. As an entrepreneur, Mr. Cumber specializes in national and global network strategy, strategic marketing, business planning and institution building.
After briefly residing in New York, Cumber moved to Miami where he operated a sundries store, a custom mailbox business, and worked nights as a photographer. He acquired a photo lab in Midland, Texas before expanding to Austin, eventually owning seven photo labs in the city.
From small business ownership, Cumber transitioned into entrepreneurship, using his background in photography and photo processing as starting point. Together, Cumber his wife founded more than a dozen enterprises, predominantly in the tech sector, some of which were acquired by Fortune 500 companies.
Diplomatic service
In 2005 Cumber made his first foray into the diplomatic world as honorary Consul General for the Republic of Malta. He later served two terms as president of the Aga Khan Council for the Southwestern United States.
On March 23, 2008, the Bush named Cumber as special envoy to the Organization of the Islamic Conference, the second-largest intergovernmental organization in the world His responsibilities included improving the dialogue between the United States and the world's 1.6 billion Muslims and enhancing the perception of the United States in the Muslim world. During his term, he traveled to over 40 Muslim countries.
Cumber's accomplishments as special envoy included:
Playing a central role in persuading the OIC leadership to publicly condemn terrorism and suicide bombing Representing the United States in religious freedom and religious rights issues at the United Nations Promoting interfaith dialogue as tools for peace with King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia and Pope Benedict XVI Working with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on issues between Lebanon and Israel Securing increased international recognition for the Muslim-majority nation of Kosovo Arranging the first-ever visit of OIC leadership to the White House
Public service and post-state department career
After leaving his state Department post, Cumber resumed an active role in public service and philanthropy, both domestically and internationally.
In 2014, he was named to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board which oversees all public post-secondary education in the state, including setting policies and efforts to improve higher education., Gov. Rick Perry appointed him to the position because of Cumber's global perspective and ability to apply international best practices to higher education.
Cumber has also served on a diverse range of boards, civic/community organizations, advisory councils, and foundations.