A native of Pakistan, Anila Ali is a retired California public school teacher, Muslim philanthropist, author, and women rights advocate. She served as a delegate representing the 45th Congressional District at the Democratic National Convention in 2012 and 2016 – the first Pakistani Muslim woman to be elected from Orange County.
Anila co-founded CalPak a non-profit promoting education for at-risk girls in Pakistan. The organization sponsors schools in remote areas as well as an online certificate program in conjunction with Cal State Fullerton University. She also co-founded AMMWEC (American Muslim & Multifaith Women’s Empowerment Council). She and her board guide AMMWEC’s unique initiatives to uplift Muslim-American women, including a career internship partnership with Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department and a helpline for women in need. 
In 2015 she presented at the Obama White House Summit on Countering Violent Extremism. Anila lives in Washington D.C. and is the mother of Sara and Danyal.