Born and raised in Kabul, Afghanistan, I grew up in a close-knit family where education was a cornerstone of our values. My mother, a dedicated school teacher, and my father, a businessman turned English teacher, instilled in me a deep appreciation for learning. In 2016, I began pursuing a degree in Business Administration at the American University of Afghanistan (AUAF). However, my education was disrupted due to a complex terror attack on the campus, forcing a hiatus in my journey. Despite this setback, I remained committed, using the time to engage in social initiatives before returning stronger than ever. AUAF provided not only an exceptional education but also opportunities to stay engaged with my country’s progress. I actively participated in debate, business, and soccer clubs, sharpening my leadership and critical thinking skills. In 2024, I earned an online graduation certificate in Leadership and Management Specialization from Harvard Business School. Currently, I am pursuing an Executive Master’s degree in Data Analytics at the University of Fredericton, Canada.

With over eight years of experience in finance, human resources, and project management, I have built a strong foundation in driving strategic initiatives across global markets. My career spans Afghanistan, England, and Canada, where I have gained extensive expertise in financial planning, payroll administration, statistical data analysis, and corporate governance.

I began my career as a Finance Officer at the Afghan Presidential Office, where I managed budget allocations, financial reporting, and compliance within governmental operations. Transitioning into international project management, I joined the British Embassy in Kabul as a Project Manager, leading high-stakes financial security initiatives aimed at enhancing economic resilience and governance structures. I was later promoted to Financial Editorial Lead at the UK Ministry of Defence, where I provided strategic insights on fiscal policies, financial risk assessment, and regulatory frameworks impacting national security, my position was based in London, England.

In my subsequent role as Financial Operation Manager, I led a team of 43 employees overseeing pension operations for retired British military personnel in Bristol, UK. This role involved pension fund management, actuarial analysis, compliance with governmental pension policies, and optimizing administrative workflows to improve service delivery.

After relocating to Canada, I joined Bill Gosling Outsourcing as a Financial Analyst and Risk & Safety Board Member, where I specialize in financial risk modeling, operational efficiency, and corporate governance. My expertise includes evaluating credit risk, implementing risk mitigation frameworks, and ensuring regulatory adherence in financial operations.

Beyond my career, I am involved in community development and nonprofit leadership. As a Board Member of the Afghan Community Support of Waterloo Region (ACSOWR), I contribute to policy formulation, financial planning, and strategic program development to support both newly resettled Afghan refugees Canada and the ones who had been already here. Our initiatives include educational programs, cultural integration events, religious affairs management, and advisory services for community empowerment.

From Kabul to Canada, my journey has been shaped by resilience, learning, and a deep commitment to making a difference—both professionally and in the communities I serve.

Jawad Bakhteiary is a project manager committed to advancing educational and social opportunities for marginalized Afghan youth. Currently, he serves as Communication Manager at Anar Academy and Project Manager at Laal Media.

Jawad’s academic journey began with a Bachelor’s in 2019 in Business Administration, specializing in Management, from the American University of Afghanistan (AUAF). In 2021, he received a scholarship to pursue a Master’s in Business Analytics at the Higher School of Economics (HSE) in Saint Petersburg, Russia. Jawad now lives in Germany where he he is pursuing his master’s degree in economics.

Building on this entrepreneurial spirit, Jawad co-founded Anar Academy (www.anar.academy) in Germany. The academy provides critical and accredited educational access to Afghan girls currently denied formal schooling. Jawad recently established Laal Media (www.laal.media) a digital media platform to engage Afghan youth in dialogue, storytelling, and accurate news.

With the help of Laal Media, Jawad provides a safe and inspiring space for young Afghans for the first time since 2021, to explore ideas, share experiences, and connect with one another. One of the initiatives in Laal is the Qes-e Man podcast, which he helped to amplify the voices of Afghan women. This podcast offers a unique platform for women to share personal stories and successes, and to foster resilience and unity in a time of censorship and repression. Similarly, the Farzia program allows Afghan women and men to compete with each other in a debate format.

Jawad’s commitment to his community is also reflected in his personal values; freedom of speech, human rights, and empowerment of discriminated Afghan ethnicities and minorities.

Fariha “Safi” was born and raised in Jawzjan, Afghanistan, where she completed her high school education. With a lifelong passion for human rights and gender equality, she actively volunteered in women’s rights advocacy from an early age. Her dedication and commitment earned her a prestigious U.S. Embassy scholarship to study at the American University of Afghanistan (AUAF), where she graduated in 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in political science and public administration, along with a minor in law.

Since then, Fariha has held impactful roles in international organizations, including UNDP, UNAMA, UNHCR, and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Currently serving as an international UN staff member, she leads the linguistics team at IOM Germany, contributing to critical initiatives in interpretation, protection, and community engagement. Her work focuses on empowering vulnerable populations and facilitating reintegration programs, demonstrating her expertise in leadership and cross-cultural collaboration.

Fluent in English, Dari, Pashto, Turkish, and Uzbek, Fariha excels in multilingual communication and thrives in multicultural environments. Her unwavering dedication to education, humanitarian advocacy, and human rights continues to drive her impactful contributions on the global stage.

My journey has taken me from Afghanistan to Iraq, then the U.S., with a strong focus on finance, data, and making a difference. I started my academic path at the American University of Afghanistan, where I earned a Bachelor’s Business Administration with strong focus in Finance with a minor in Data Science. When the Afghan government collapsed in 2021, I moved to Iraq and finished my degree at the American University of Iraq, Sulaimani. Later, I pursued a Master’s in Business Analytics at the University of Louisville, Kentucky, and graduated in 2023.

In my career, I’m currently an Accounts Payable Associate at Spalding University. Before that, I worked at the Speed Art Museum and Catholic Charities of Louisville, where I learned a lot about the power of data, financial reporting, and how small changes can impact efficiency.

Beyond my professional work, I co-founded the Mentoring and Access Program (MAP) for Afghan Women, formerly known as Hope for Bright Afghanistan. Our mission is to provide Afghan girls with the resources, mentorship, and opportunities they need to thrive personally and professionally.

Through MAP, we’re expanding our programs to help young women build not just academic knowledge but also develop the confidence and skills to succeed in all aspects of life.

Mursal Rasa, AUAF class of 2021, hold a master’s degree in Gender, Peace, and Security from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). She currently serve as a Research Assistant at University College London (UCL) and work with the UK Ministry of Defense to support Afghan Resettlement Scheme in the UK. As the Education and Mentorship Lead of the Mentoring and Access Program (MAP), she works to empower young girls in Afghanistan by improving their access to education, ensuring they have the tools and opportunities to shape their futures.

Throughout her career, Mursal has focused on amplifying the voices of Afghan women by contributing to international media platforms like The Guardian and using art to share their stories and experiences. Her published works include a front-page article in The Guardian and co-authored academic research on displacement and mobility. Her journey reflects a deep commitment to meaningful contribution, sustainable change and advancing gender equity on both local and global levels.

Hamida Qanbari, AUAF Class of 2018, is currently supporting asylum seekers to access critical legal services at Columbia Law School. In May 2024, she earned her Master of Public Administration from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA).

Her time at AUAF was a life-changing experience, opening doors that were once unimaginable for a minority woman in Afghanistan. Shortly after her AUAF journey, Hamida joined UNDP Afghanistan’s LOTFA program, contributing to the training of over 500 female police cadets. She later journeyed to remote villages across Afghanistan, engaging with over 600 locals to document grassroots conflict resolution practices, all as part of an innovative research project with the U.S. Institute of Peace. Since moving to New York City for her graduate degree, Hamida has collaborated with the International Rescue Committee, and Office and the Saltzman Institute of War and Peace Studies as coordinator and researcher.

Outside of work, she practices yoga, enjoys Riverside Park strolls and spends time with her family and their cat. Hamida is passionate about climate awareness and justice in renewable energy transition; she’d like to pivot her career in this sphere.