Financial Literacy Advisor to women Entrepreneurs and Field officers of Bright: Beginnings ECLCs initiative
Founder – Foundation to Empower Students Pakistan
Advisor on International Grants – WEF
Connie Daya is the Co-Founder and Chief Financial Officer of the Worldwide Education
Foundation (WEF). With an MBA in Healthcare Fiscal Management and a strong background in
financial accounting, she brings deep expertise in financial oversight and operational
management.
Since co-founding WEF in 2009, Connie has led its financial and administrative
functions, supporting the organization's growth and impact on thousands of children and youth
globally. She is also actively engaged in community service and philanthropy, reflecting a strong
commitment to giving back.
Kamal Daya is the CEO and Co-Founder of the Worldwide Education Foundation (WEF), which he established in 2009. With over four decades at New York Life Insurance Company—consistently ranking among the top advisors—he brings deep financial expertise alongside a strong commitment to philanthropy.
Under his leadership, WEF has expanded its impact to reach tens of thousands of children and youth across multiple countries, with a focus on education, skills development, and scholarships. Kamal is also actively engaged in global philanthropy initiatives and remains deeply committed to advancing equitable access to education.
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.
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 the Project Coordinator for the Early Childhood Learning Centers (ECLC) Project and the In-School Language Labs Program in Upper Chitral. 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 Upper 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.
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.
Numan Fayaz is a dynamic development leader and currently serves as Admin and Procurement Officer at Foundation to Empower Students (FES), where he strengthens institutional systems through transparent procurement, strategic planning, and operational excellence. With a proven track record in leading multi-stakeholder initiatives, he previously served as District Officer for the SHAMS Project under the School of Leadership Foundation in partnership with UNICEF, driving adolescent mental health and psychosocial support interventions across Lower Chitral.
Numan has successfully coordinated with district administration, education departments, and organizations such as Aga Khan Rural Support Programme to deliver high-impact community programs, even in geographically and socially challenging contexts. Known for his integrity, resilience, and results-oriented approach, he combines grassroots engagement with strong administrative leadership to build accountable systems and create sustainable educational and social impact.
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 Computer Science graduate from University of Chitral with a strong interest in technology, data, and digital solutions. He is currently working as an intern, supporting administrative and office operations while assisting website management and communications activities and complements graphic design and social media marketing efforts, contributing to digital content creation and online engagement. With a blend of technical knowledge and organizational skills, he aims to leverage technology to improve efficiency and create meaningful impact in educational and professional environments.
