Our Team

Parvin Dhanji is a business leader and strategic advisor with extensive experience in advertising, marketing, and corporate management. She has led multiple organizations, including serving as President and CFO of Imagineering, Inc., where she oversees strategy, finance, and operations. A Certified Mediator from DePaul University, she brings expertise in conflict resolution and governance, along with an academic background in English Literature and Advertising.

Born in Nairobi, Kenya, she moved to Toronto in 1974 and later to the United States in 1980. She attended the University of Texas, graduating in 1984 with a degree in Arts. She began her career at Citibank (1986-1989), working in sales focused on data capture solutions and credit card processing systems. In 1990, she transitioned into real estate, becoming a licensed agent and starting to invest in multifamily properties in Dallas, Texas. Today, she owns and manages a portfolio of approximately 500 units across five residential complexes in Dallas.

Ahmed Gulamali is a retired management and project professional with extensive experience leading strategic initiatives across the fintech, telecom, and IT consulting sectors. He holds degrees in Computer Information Systems and an MBA. Alongside his professional career, he has dedicated over two decades to volunteer service in community institutions.

Sadiq Ali is an entrepreneur and investor with extensive experience in commercial real estate and retail, having grown his business from a single store to over 55 locations across the U.S.. Beyond his business ventures, he is a dedicated philanthropist and youth advocate, actively supporting community development and education initiatives. He serves on the board of the Worldwide Education Foundation (WEF) and continues to advance global educational opportunities through his work.

Karishma Ismail is an executive coach, speaker, and leadership advisor with over 15 years of experience in leadership development and high-performance coaching. She works with founders, executives, and investors to help them scale with clarity, confidence, and alignment. She is also the founder of Live Your Legacy and Empowered Desi, focused on leadership growth, financial independence, and women’s empowerment.

A tenured leader with over a decade of experience building organizations and leading high-performing teams of 200+ people toward a shared vision. He has led fundraising, strategic leadership, and operations managing budgets of over $70M, while recruiting top talent and driving organizational performance. His core focus is strengthening grassroots power and advancing the public good through community organizing and policy.

Alisha Daya is a nursing leader and change agent focused on transforming nursing education and advancing professional practice excellence. She is a strategic leader and strong communicator with a proven ability to guide interprofessional teams through complex change. She has led large-scale programs, aligning education with organizational goals and evidence-based strategies to improve outcomes and impact.

Shairoz Mistry is an education and community impact leader with expertise in early childhood development, parent education, educator coaching, quality improvement systems, and culturally responsive programming. She currently serves as Senior Director of Community Impact at Children's Museum Houston, where she leads early childhood initiatives, community outreach, and evaluation efforts serving more approximately 1 million children and families annually.

Her career spans leadership roles in the United States and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), including Head of the Aga Khan Education Portfolio for the GCC, Curriculum Developer for the Aga Khan Education Portfolio (GCC), Manager of Mentors at Collaborative for Children, and National Project Manager for Pre-primary Teacher Mentoring and Coaching program at Ismaili Tariqa and Religious Education Board (ITREB) USA. At Collaborative for Children, she led a team of mentors supporting teaching and administrative quality improvement systems across 13 counties surrounding Greater Houston, primarily serving child care programs in low-income communities.

Shairoz is passionate about ensuring all children have access to high-quality early learning experiences and enter school ready to thrive, regardless of their socioeconomic, cultural, or linguistic background.

As a Worldwide Education Foundation Board Member, she is committed to advancing equitable educational opportunities and strengthening systems that support children, families, and educators worldwide.

Dr. Anita Hasni Mohammad is a developmental psychologist, researcher, and international development consultant with deep expertise in early childhood development, child psychology, and education systems. She holds a PhD from Georgia State University, where her research examined the cognitive and social foundations of early childhood — including original work on Theory of Mind in preschoolers, investigating how young children develop social awareness and make sense of the world through visual and auditory experience. Her academic work spans developmental milestones, sensitive learning periods, and the ethical dimensions of research with children.

Bridging research and public policy, Dr. Mohammad worked as a Lead Research and Policy Analyst with the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL), where she led continuous quality improvement initiatives for state-level early education programs. She managed and evaluated Early Head Start–Child Care Partnerships, with a particular focus on sustaining high-quality services for vulnerable families during the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2021, Dr. Mohammad founded Tesseract Global Consulting, a research and evaluation firm dedicated to translating complex data into accessible, actionable knowledge for practitioners, policymakers, and institutions. Through Tesseract Global, she has partnered with multiple United Nations evaluation offices — including contributing to system-wide gender integration evaluations and analyzing global progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 5: Gender Equality. She also serves on Georgia Tech's College of Sciences Advisory Board and on community advisory committees focused on maternal and infant health, reflecting her commitment to science in service of human potential and well-being.

Dr. Mohammad brings to the Herzing-Daya Research and Learning Hub a rare combination of rigorous scholarship, on-the-ground policy experience, and global development perspective. Her expertise in early childhood frameworks and systemic education evaluation makes her an invaluable guide as the Hub works to generate knowledge from the mountains — and translate it into impact for the world.

Khairunnisa Veerjee is an executive coach and healthcare management leader with over 16 years of experience in strategic transformation and operational excellence. She advises founders and executives through a people-centered, systems-based approach. A longtime community leader, she has served across education, social welfare, governance, and civic organizations. She also owns and manages approximately 500 residential units across five complexes in Dallas.

Mahnaz R. Charania, PhD, serves as Chief Transformation Officer at TNTP, where she leads national research and innovation initiatives focused on transforming education systems and expanding opportunities for learners from Pre-K through postsecondary education. Her work brings together research, strategy, and innovation to help educators and institutions use evidence to improve learning experiences, strengthen meaningful relationships, and expand social and economic mobility for historically underserved learners. She is a Pahara Fellow and holds a PhD in Experimental Social Psychology.

Samina Hussain, is the Executive Director overseeing Chitral Operations. Samina earned her BS in English Literature from Islamia College, Pakistan, and pursued her passion for cultural studies with an M.A in Muslim Cultures from the Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilizations, Aga Khan University International, UK.

Currently, Samina serves as a dedicated Executive Director at WEF/FES, where her responsibilities revolve around the seamless execution of Chitral Operations. Her adept project management skills, coupled with a deep understanding of diverse cultures, form the backbone of her impactful contributions.

Alamgir Khan is the Operations Manager at WEF, leading operations across all programs. He focuses on translating organizational commitments into clear annual plans, milestones, and measurable targets.

With over three years of experience, he has managed large-scale program implementation and expansion, ensuring timely, compliant, and high-quality execution within approved plans and budgets. He has also overseen humanitarian interventions across Egypt, Jordan, and Turkey, supporting programs in education, healthcare, food security, and displacement response.

His role includes strengthening operational systems, SOPs, and controls, while leading budgeting, procurement, logistics, and audit readiness. He monitors performance through KPIs, reporting, and field oversight to drive continuous improvement, and coordinates closely with donors, partners, and senior leadership to ensure effective program delivery and sustainable impact.

Aftab Karim is an Academic Manager at Herzing Daya Research & Learning Hub. With over nine years of experience in the education sector, he brings a strong background in early childhood education, teacher development, and instructional leadership.

Aftab has worked extensively on curriculum development, language instruction, and teacher training, with a particular focus on Montessori methods, language acquisition, and inclusive classroom practices. He holds an MPhil in Education from the Aga Khan University – Institute for Educational Development (AKU-IED), combining academic research with hands-on field experience in remote communities.

As a professional development trainer and curriculum mapping expert, Aftab has worked on designing impactful learning programs and assessment tools for both ECD and English language teachers. In his current role, he is committed to advancing holistic, sustainable, and community-driven education across Chitral.

Asif Ullah Shakir is an accomplished graduate in English Linguistics and Literature from the National University of Modern Languages (NUML), Islamabad, bringing a unique blend of academic knowledge and hands-on experience. With four years of administrative experience in diverse multinational companies, he has developed strong organizational and communication skills that contribute to efficient operations and team collaboration.

Alongside his administrative background, Asif has experience in communication and digital marketing. Currently, he leads the communication efforts at the Worldwide Education Fund (WEF), where he is actively involved in content creation, fundraising campaigns, donor management, stakeholder engagement, and the operation of social media platforms and the organization's website.

His ability to craft compelling narratives, manage digital platforms, and build meaningful relationships enables him to strengthen WEF's visibility and impact.

Sumbal has worked in international education for over a decade. She obtained an MSc in Education at the University of Oxford, and studied Mandarin Chinese for her BA degree at SOAS, University of London.

She began her teaching career in 2007, when she qualified for her CELTA, and began to teach students English as a Second Language across China, England and the UAE. After gaining her formal qualifications and teaching experience, she worked in International Education across the the Middle East & North Africa region, with organisations like Cambridge University Press & Assessment, Oxford University Press, and GEMS Education.

One of her favourite quotes in relation to being a lifelong teacher and learner is:
'When one teaches, two learn'.

Rashida Banu is a dedicated educator with over three years of experience in early childhood education. As the Early Childhood Coordinator at the Worldwide Education Fund (WEF), she plays a pivotal role in observing teachers and providing targeted training to enhance their teaching skills. Rashida holds a Master's degree in Education and a Montessori diploma with a focus on early childhood education.

Rashida holds a Bachelor's degree in Education from Jinnah University for Women, Karachi, and has completed a one-year Montessori diploma from the Pakistan Montessori Council. Her passion lies in fostering nurturing learning environments and supporting the professional growth of educators, ensuring that children receive a high-quality, enriching educational experience.

I am Mehwish, an Early Childhood Development Coordinator and advocate for the eradication of educational inequity. I believe that sustainable social transformation begins with strong, equitable foundations in early childhood education. With an academic background in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics and international study experience, I have developed a global outlook on education systems, policy, and leadership. This exposure has strengthened my understanding of how strategic vision, inclusive policies, and quality learning can transform societies.

I combine this global perspective with grassroots action: working directly with schools, educators, and underserved communities to improve educational quality and expand access to opportunity. My mission is to bridge the gap between marginalized and mainstream education systems and contribute to building a future where every child, regardless of background, has the foundation to thrive and lead.

Shabana Khushal holds a Master’s degree in Sociology from the University of Chitral and is a Field Officer with the Foundation to Empowers Students (FES) under the Early Childhood Learning Centers (ECLC) project. She works with schools, communities, and local stakeholders to improve access to quality education and support grassroots program implementation. Previously, she served as a Field Officer at NIDA Pakistan and contributed to community development initiatives with the Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (AKRSP). She is passionate about education, community development, and creating sustainable social impact.

Samia Ghaffar is an education professional and Field Officer with an ADE and BS in Zoology. With several years of experience as a Biology Teacher, she currently supports schools through classroom monitoring, teacher mentoring, and the implementation of Montessori and child-centered learning practices. She is committed to strengthening teaching quality and creating meaningful learning opportunities for children and their communities.

Sonia Bibi is a social development professional from Garam Chashma, Chitral, Pakistan, holding a BS degree in Sociology and bringing approximately four years of experience in the social development sector. She has worked with various organizations as a Social Mobilizer, contributing to community engagement, mobilization, and the implementation of development initiatives at the grassroots level.
Currently, she serves as a Field Officer at the Foundation to Empower Students (FES), where she supports field-level operations, monitors educational activities, and contributes to improving the quality of early childhood education. Her professional interests include education, community development, stakeholder engagement, and capacity building, with a strong commitment to creating positive and sustainable change in local communities

Sayeda-tul-Kubra currently serves as a Field Officer at the Worldwide Education Foundation (WEF), having previously worked with the organization as an Early Childhood Development (ECD) Teacher and Language Facilitator. She holds certifications in ECD, TESOL, and TEFL/TESL, an IELTS band score of 6.5, and leadership development certificates. Her experience reflects a strong commitment to early childhood education, language development, and community engagement.

Currently serving as a Field Officer at WEF, with three years of experience at AKRSP under the F4HE Project as an Early Childhood Development (ECD) Lead Facilitator. Experienced in teacher observation, community engagement, and capacity building through teacher training. Successfully delivered three modular ECD training sessions and trained 42 teachers, contributing to improved teaching practices and early childhood development at the community level.

Numan Fayaz is a development and operations professional currently serving as Admin and Procurement Officer at the Foundation to Empower Students (FES). He plays a key role in strengthening institutional systems, improving administrative and procurement processes, promoting financial accountability, and supporting program implementation through effective operational planning and transparent resource management.

At FES, Numan has played a central role in the expansion of Early Childhood Development (ECD) initiatives across Upper and Lower Chitral. His contributions include identifying potential locations, conducting physical verification of schools and communities, coordinating the distribution of Montessori learning materials, organizing teacher training activities, and supporting the establishment of 100 Early Childhood Learning Centers (ECLCs). His work contributes to improving access to quality early learning opportunities for children in underserved and geographically challenging communities.

Previously, Numan served as District Officer for the SHAMS Project (School of Leadership Foundation, in partnership with UNICEF), implementing adolescent mental health and psychosocial support interventions across Lower Chitral. He coordinated awareness sessions, school-based activities, and community engagement initiatives in collaboration with public-sector schools, education authorities, district administration, and development partners. This experience strengthened his expertise in field operations, stakeholder coordination, project implementation, and community-based development.

Throughout his professional journey, Numan has worked with diverse stakeholders, including government departments and organizations such as the Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (AKRSP), to support educational and social development initiatives. His experience combines grassroots engagement with institutional administration, procurement management, program coordination, and organizational systems development

Misbah Hussain is a dedicated development professional with a Bachelor's degree in Development Studies from the Institute of Management Sciences (IM Sciences), Peshawar. He currently serves as a Field Officer with Worldwide Education Fund, where he works closely with schools, communities, and local stakeholders to strengthen access to quality education and improve program implementation at the grassroots level.

Misbah brings extensive experience in training, community engagement, and youth development. He has worked as a Trainer with UNICEF and the School of Leadership Foundation (SOLF) under the SHAMS project, delivering sessions on adolescent mental health, stigma reduction, and personal development. He has also contributed to community-based initiatives with the Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (AKRSP), supporting sustainable development efforts in underserved areas. Deeply passionate about the development of children through education, Misbah is committed to creating inclusive, empowering learning environments that enable young people to realize their full potential.

Toufeeq ur Rehman is a digital communications and technology professional committed to expanding educational opportunities and creating meaningful social impact through technology, storytelling, and strategic communication. He serves as Social Media Lead at Worldwide Education Foundation (WEF) USA, where he contributes to communicating the foundation’s mission, educational initiatives, and community impact to a global audience.

With a background in Computer Science and experience in digital marketing, content strategy, multimedia production, and information technology, Toufeeq works to transform educational initiatives into compelling stories that connect communities, engage supporters, and strengthen donor relationships. His work includes developing digital campaigns, documenting the impact of early childhood education programs, highlighting the contributions of supporters, and sharing stories of children, educators, and communities across Chitral, Pakistan.

Through his work with WEF and FES Pakistan, he contributes to raising awareness of education initiatives, particularly the Bright Beginnings Early Childhood Learning Centers (ECLCs), which support early learning opportunities for young children and promote women-led educational entrepreneurship.

Alongside his communications work, Toufeeq has a research interest in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data-driven solutions. His academic work includes published research on comparative machine learning approaches to diabetes prediction, reflecting his interest in applying technology to practical challenges.

Toufeeq believes that effective communication connects people with purpose. Through digital storytelling, technology, and education advocacy, he aims to help build greater awareness of educational needs and inspire sustained support for opportunities that empower children, educators, and communities.

Nauman is an AI Engineer, Data Scientist, and Full-Stack Developer with extensive experience building scalable web applications, data platforms, and AI-powered solutions. He has worked with organizations across the technology, analytics, and blockchain sectors, developing systems that serve thousands of users and automate complex business processes.

Passionate about Artificial Intelligence, Nauman specializes in machine learning, large language models, and multi-agent AI systems. He has led and contributed to numerous projects involving data analytics, automation, computer vision, and intelligent software solutions. At WEF, he supports the organization's digital initiatives, website development, and technology strategy.

Jawad Hussain Shah is a multidisciplinary Creative Designer and Computer Science graduate specializing in graphic design, visual communication, and web development. With experience in digital branding, UI design, and creative project development, he combines design thinking with technical expertise to create impactful digital experiences. He is also actively involved in youth empowerment and educational initiatives.

Retired CPA / CA with a successful consulting career.

Married 60 years, with 2 children and 2 grandchildren. Volunteering has been a lifelong passion, alongside sports, reading, the gym, and enjoying different cuisines.

Retired Professional Engineer with a career spanning telecommunications, service development, marketing, project management, and humanitarian assistance. Worked across both technical and management roles, gaining broad experience in engineering and organizational development.

Also contributed to humanitarian efforts supporting returning refugees in Afghanistan. Continues to value collaboration, lifelong learning, and using professional experience to make a positive contribution.

Profession: CA (Chartered Accountant).

Worked as Financial Controller, Finance Manager and CFO in Pakistan, Tanzania and Canada respectively.

Community Service: Have been involved and served in different capacities across these 3 countries since 1980.