Farida Ahmad, CEO Field Operations
Farida is an education and development expert with over thirty years of experience in education, teacher training, curriculum development, evaluation, school management and administration. Previously, as Director Programs at Value Resources (Pvt.) Limited she led training programs for CBOs and community mobilizers focusing on social mobilization skills. Other projects have included carrying out evaluation and assessment of innovative education projects focusing on quality education and improved access. She has held senior management positions at Westminster School and College and The Capital School. Farida has set up and managed free schools, through which she has gained familiarity with the local development realities, how to recognize/act on priorities, and develop methods for relevant, responsive, and successful projects. Farida has designed and implemented various education projects including professional development programs for teachers, mentor projects, language development programs, Teacher Training Workshops, and needs-based and research-backed trainings. Farida has also been engaged with various initiatives focused on women’s empowerment, livelihoods, and skills development. A graduate of Lahore College for Women University, Farida is also a certified trainer from Oxford Seminars, USA.
Siraj Khan, Chief Patron
Siraj Khan belongs to the world of finance, having worked for several multinationals. For the last 15 years, he has served in the global non-profit space with USAID, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and Malala Fund and has been recognized for his work in youth development and women empowerment.
Siraj is a world citizen, living a life without boundaries. He is a connoisseur of South Asian film music, using art and culture in building bridges between people and boundaries. He has staged and directed successful concerts of performing arts and is a featured contributor to several publications.
Siraj Khan also serves as the President of the Pakistan Association of Greater Boston (PAGB) and lives with his family in Hudson, Massachusetts
Arifa Mashhood, Advisor and Goodwill Ambassador
Arifa Mashhood began her career as a free-lance journalist, while working as an English Literature teacher, and coaching sports at a local school in Karachi. After moving to the UAE, Arifa worked with a government owned media company, one of the first Pakistani female journalists and subeditor, covering socio-political events and conducting exclusive interviews with various personalities, and politicians.
Her sharp analytical skills and deep understanding of the region led her to transition her career into banking. Over nearly 35 years of banking career, Arifa moved from branch banking to the Treasury as a FX and Money Market dealer at Union National Bank (UNB). Over the years, she rose through the ranks, working in the credit risk departments of UNB, Habib Bank AG Zurich and ultimately becoming Vice President-Credit Risk Management for Contractor Finance at Al Hilal Bank.
Arifa now serves as the Head of Credit- Contracting & Building Materials at Invest Bank of Sharjah, overseeing credit risk frameworks and large-scale financing operations. Known for her leadership, organisational skills, and integrity, Arifa has mentored young professionals in finance throughout her career, grooming the new generation of decision makers.
Balancing her banking career with her desire to better the world, Arifa has often worked to aid and improve the lives of others, bridging the gap between community and finance.
Arifa Mashhood’s Legacy Project with Moqah Foundation as an implementing partner is a commitment to building a better future for generations to come. The program targets women with a particular focus on those who are disadvantaged and marginalized.
A graduate from St. Joseph’s College, Karachi, Arifa has obtained several finance related training and certifications, including Lloyds Quality Auditor.
Mubashar Mirza, Advisor and Board Director
Mr. Mirza has over two decades of experience in accounting and finance. He previously provided consulting services to World Bank and served as Vice President of Strategic Planning and Investment at MCB Bank Limited, in Lahore, Pakistan. Mr. Mirza has assisted private and public organizations in areas of assurance, risk management, investigations, merger, acquisitions, and investment/business/project analysis. He formulates policies and procedures covering operational guidelines for organizations including those pertaining to accounting, internal controls, investment, procurement, compensation management, and human resources. His work also includes finalizing the complete set of financial statements, tax planning/return, strategic future business plans with budgets, and cost reduction techniques. Mr. Mirza holds a Bachelor of Commerce (First Division) from the University of Punjab, in Lahore, Pakistan.
Shehrbano Taseer, Advisor and Board member
Ms. Taseer is a journalist and has her Bachelor’s degree from Smith College and currently based out of Lahore, Pakistan. She has worked with Newsweek and the Daily Times and currently heads the Sunday Times, a weekly lifestyle and fashion publication. She is the daughter of the late Governor of Punjab, assassinated for speaking out on the blasphemy law. Shehrbano is deeply committed to helping the people of Pakistan help themselves by supporting education and economic opportunities for the poor. In 2016 she facilitated a Fashion for Education event in Lahore that raised substantial funds to ensure ongoing primary education was offered to some of the most vulnerable in Pakistan. Shehrbano is a hard working courageous role model to girls in Pakistan and beyond.
Umer Farooq, Board Director
Umer Farooq is an Educationist, Legal Academician, Advocate Law, Public Policy and Human Rights.He has worked as Consultant and Resource Trainer of various organizations including UNDP, Action Aid, Sang Foundation, Rozan, National Commission on Status of Women, Consumer Right Commission of Pakistan. Currently is the Head of Law Department at University of Kotli, AJK.
Bilal Nawaz, Board Director
Bilal is current working as the Vice President, Professional services at inbox consulting ( an engro group of industries subsidiary). Bilal has been working for the past 19 years in IT services for clients and partner in The Netherlands, Pakistan, India, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, philippines, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia.