Naveed
Salim Ramji comes from an Ismaili Muslim family, the Shia community led by the Aga Khan. He was born in Tanzania in 1970 to parents of Indian heritage and grew up in British Columbia, Canada. He has not spoken publicly about his personal practice.
| Religion | Islam (Ismaili family background) |
|---|---|
| Status | Reported: Ismaili community media profiled him; no personal statement |
| Full name | Salim Ramji |
| Born | 1970, Tanzania |
| Raised in | British Columbia, Canada |
| Profession | CEO of Vanguard since July 2024 |
| Family background | Ismaili Muslim family of Indian heritage |
What Religion Is Salim Ramji?
Ramji’s family belongs to the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslim community, whose spiritual leader is the Aga Khan. When he was named Vanguard’s CEO in 2024, the Ismaili community blog Ismailimail profiled him as one of its members. He does not discuss his personal faith in business interviews.
From Tanzania to Vanguard
Ramji was born in Tanzania to parents of Indian heritage, part of the East African Ismaili community, and grew up in British Columbia, Canada. He studied economics and politics at the University of Toronto, began his career as a lawyer at Clifford Chance, then became a senior partner at McKinsey and spent about a decade at BlackRock.
On July 8, 2024, he became Vanguard’s chief executive, the first outsider to run the firm in its history.
FAQ
Is Salim Ramji Muslim?
He comes from an Ismaili Muslim family and was profiled by Ismaili community media.
What is an Ismaili?
A member of the Shia Imami Ismaili branch of Islam, led by the Aga Khan.
Where is Salim Ramji from?
He was born in Tanzania and grew up in Canada.
Related Celebrities
Sources
- Ismailimail: Meet Salim Ramji (2024)
- Philadelphia Inquirer: Vanguard chooses former BlackRock executive as its next CEO
- Vanguard: Management team
Last updated: September 24, 2026.
