Irfan Kovankaya

Irfan Kovankaya is a changemaker with years of experience in community organizing, nonprofit and social justice spaces. He’s passionate about storytelling and building community.

At Spitfire, Irfan is a Senior Account Executive focusing on decarceration, civil rights for Muslim-American communities and affordable housing. He combines policy enterprise with strong writing and communication skills to meet the needs of clients. He views the work as a means of empowering communities and community groups to liberate themselves. He hopes to put them in positions to succeed – however they define and choose to build it. Passion and humility guide Irfan’s approach to this work.

Prior to Spitfire, Irfan spent several years organizing with the Dream Defenders and worked as a Program + Policy Manager at Miami Homes for All. He was also involved with the Tallahassee Bail Fund, Students Organize for Syria, and Students for Justice in Palestine. Irfan is a freelance writer published in the Tallahassee Democrat, Orlando Sentinel, and Independent Florida Alligator.

He graduated from the University of Florida with a double major in political science and international studies with a focus on the Middle East, and a minor in history.