Executive Director

Mitra Tanomand

Gender Empowerment Expert

Mitra Tanomand is a dedicated Afghan women’s rights advocate and researcher with a Master’s in Gender Studies from the University of East Anglia, earned through the Chevening Scholarship. Currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Global Development with a focus on Education, she is also a certified Project Management Professional (PMP)® and a research fellow at the Raoul Wallenberg Institute in Sweden. Mitra’s decade-long experience spans human rights, gender and children affairs, research, and project management. As the founder and CEO of the Afghan Businesswomen Organization, she empowers vulnerable women through strategic business initiatives, advocating for gender equality and combating violence.

Mr Haroon Rashid SHERZAD

Strategic Management and Business Development Lead

Mr. Sherzad served as the Country Manager Afghanistan and Central Asia Regional Director in Lapis Group. He served as Economic Security Director and Senior Policy Advisor at Afghanistan's National Security Council. He has previously held leadership roles, including Acting Minister and Deputy Minister at the Ministry of Counter Narcotics, and worked with the President’s Office as senior advisor and as Counter Narcotics National Officer in the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Afghanistan. He has initiated civic education programs that have significantly advanced education, local empowerment, governance reform, and anti-corruption efforts. Mr. Sherzad holds a master’s degree in communication for development and media management from Ohio University and a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Kabul University.

Mohammad Humayun

Board Member

Mohammad Humayun holds a BSc in Agriculture and has 18 years of experience working with government, international organizations, and UN entities. His extensive background includes managing multimillion-dollar projects across various sectors, including disaster management, agribusiness, agricultural and rural development, community development, women empowerment, and alternative livelihoods. Additionally, he has significant expertise in conducting surveys and research, making him a highly versatile professional with a proven track record in successfully implementing and overseeing complex projects in diverse fields.

Iraj Ahmad Jalalzada

Admin Manager

Iraj Ahmad Jalalzada is a highly experienced manager in financial management, administration, and procurement, with over 10 years of expertise in driving strategic, multimillion-dollar vendor negotiations to meet business objectives. He holds a master's degree in National Economy and a BBA in Business Administration. Iraj has extensive experience in procurement, financial management, contract management, procurement audit, administration, and case management across various government, international organizations, and private sector roles.

Khalid Ghalib

Health Sector Lead

Dr. Mohammad Khalid Ghalib is a dedicated, adaptable physician with extensive experience in Family Medicine and public health. He holds an MD, MRCP, and a Master’s in Public Health. His professional journey includes roles as a Family Medicine physician at Cure Hospital, Medical Activity Manager with MSF, and various leadership positions. He has undergone numerous trainings, including in gender-based violence and emergency response.

Mr. Alias WARDAK

Senior Advisor

Infrastructure development & regional cooperation

Mr. Alias Wardak is a Senior Advisor in Infrastructure Development and Regional Cooperation, with over 20 years of experience in management and policy advisory. A Civil Engineer by profession, he lectures on Project Management in Developing Countries at the University of Siegen, Germany. He is also a Partner at GreenTech Consulting GmbH, Essen. Previously, he advised the Afghan Minister of Finance on energy and regional cooperation and led a German consulting firm in Afghanistan. His work focuses on energy, water, and regional cooperation, with numerous publications on these topics. Currently, he is pursuing a PhD on transboundary water issues between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Habiburahman Irfan

Agriculture and Entrepreneurship

Expert/Advisor

Habiburahman Irfan is an enterpise, agriculture and development expert with over 20 years of experience working across national, international, and UN agencies. He completed his higher education at the Faculty of Agriculture, Nangarhar University in Afghanistan. He has extensive experience in home-based food processing, post-harvest techniques, medicinal plant cultivation, market research, and value chain development. His expertise includes post-harvest techniques, preparing herbariums, conducting resource assessments, analyzing market access rights, and facilitating workshops for trainers (ToT) on topics like improved production and post-harvest technology for fruits, pomegranates, and grapes. Additionally, Irfan has contributed to enterprise development through value chains, market system analysis, designing market system interventions, and monitoring and evaluation of market system initiatives. His work has significantly contributed to advancing agricultural practices and market systems in Afghanistan and beyond.

Malalai Najib

Women & Children Development

Expert

Miss Malalai Najeeb is an accomplished professional with extensive experience in monitoring, evaluation, and administrative roles. She holds a B.A. in Political Science and Law from Peshawar University, Pakistan. Her career spans over a decade, including key positions at the Colombo Plan Gender Affairs Program and Unity Logistics and Supply Services in Afghanistan, and the Women & Children Development Program in Pakistan. Malalai is skilled in data analysis, project management, and human resources, with a strong focus on empowering women and children.

Mr. Muhammad EHSAN

Senior Advisor

Economic Affairs

Mr. Ehsan, currently a Trip Processing Analyst at Paramount Jet Business in Toronto, Canada, has a rich background in academia and policy development. He contributed to labor policy for Afghanistan's Ministry of Labor and worked with organizations like UNDP, UNODC, and WHO in Canada and Afghanistan. Mr. Ehsan holds a master’s degree in mathematics from the University of Baluchistan, Pakistan, a master’s in international development from Brandeis University, USA, and a master’s in economics from Queen’s University, Canada. Additionally, he earned a post-graduate diploma in IT from the University of Baluchistan.

Ahmad Wali

Operation Manager

Ahmad Wali is a seasoned professional with expertise in business development, client relationships, and administration. With a strong background in customer service, compliance enforcement, and program management, he excels in managing work programs, analyzing data, and conducting customer education workshops to ensure regulatory compliance. His career highlights include surpassing revenue and market coverage targets by 10% to 15% and delivering service excellence. Ahmad holds an MSc in International Trade, Strategy, and Operations from the University of Warwick and has a proven track record in translation, field missions, and administrative support across various sectors.

Naema Baloch

Women Empowerment Director

Naema Baloch is a committed Afghan women’s rights advocate and seasoned expert in gender, human, and children’s rights. She holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Political Science and Law, bringing a robust academic foundation to her work. Naema served as the Director of Gender, Human, and Children Rights at the Ministry of Interior in Afghanistan, where she played a pivotal role in advancing policies for the protection and empowerment of vulnerable groups. With over a decade of experience in human rights, gender advocacy, and public policy, Naema has spearheaded initiatives to promote gender equality and combat violence against women. She has worked closely with civil society organizations and international bodies to enhance women’s participation in governance and socio-economic development. As a leading voice for Afghan women, Naema is deeply committed to fostering resilience and empowerment through education, advocacy, and capacity-building initiatives. Her work continues to inspire transformative change in the fight for equality and justice.

Zabihullah Ahmadi

Humanitarian Services Expert

Zabihullah Ahmadi is a seasoned professional with over 14 years of experience in operations, administration, finance, banking, and social work. He holds an MBA, a bachelor's in pharmacy, a Bachelor of Science in Economics, and diplomas in English Language and Business Administration. Recently, he serves as humanitarian services expert, demonstrating strong commitment to humanitarian initiatives. Prior to that, he was a Team Assistant at WHO in Afghanistan, where he contributed to financial management and operations.

Wahidullah Miakhil

Business Development Director

Wahidullah Miakhil is a skilled Afghan professional with a rich background in economics, finance, and auditing. He earned a master’s in economics from Allahabad University, India, and a bachelor’s in social sciences from Banaras Hindu University. Miakhil holds advanced certifications in financial accounting and is proficient in various accounting and computer programs. His career includes roles such as Tax and Revenue Specialist at Afghanistan’s National Security Council and Business Development Regional Manager at Sky Horizon Mining Company. Miakhil has made significant contributions to financial and auditing practices in Afghanistan.

Abdul Satar Saedy

Data Analytics Lead

Abdul Satar Saedy is a seasoned project management and data analytics professional with extensive experience in sustainable development. He has led significant infrastructure projects in Afghanistan and Switzerland, including DFID-funded water conservation and community asset-building initiatives, with a focus on integration and growth in conflict-affected areas. His expertise extends to peacebuilding and community engagement to promote social cohesion and prevent radicalization. With an academic background that includes an MSc in International Management and an MBA, along with specialization in data science and business analytics, Mr. Saedy combines data-driven approaches with community-focused strategies to support integration and prevent radicalization, especially among vulnerable populations like Afghan refugees.

Ziaulhaq Shams

Strategic Communication Director

Ziaullhaq Shams, an Executive Manager, Sociologist, Writer, and TV Program Specialist, brings over 12 years of expertise, especially within the mass media, media production, media creativity and communication industry. Mr. Shams has a robust academic background in sociology and has authored numerous articles. With a decade of teaching Afghan sociologists, he has shaped students' understanding of this vital subject. He has also served as a researcher and presenter for EFA's "Intellectual Initiative" in Kabul. With Moby Group, he has conducted over 800 interviews, demonstrating his media expertise.

Fayaz Kamali

Digital Platform Lead

Fayaz Kamali is a highly skilled Cyber Security professional with 13.7 years of experience. He is proficient in unified communications, OSPF, RIP, EIGRP, and BGP. Based in the United Arab Emirates, Fayaz holds an MSc in Cyber Security from the University of Bradford - the UK and a CCIE lab certification. He has a proven track record in designing and implementing secure solutions, supporting government clients, global enterprises, and implementing large networks and information security infrastructures. Fayaz is certified in various security certifications and has worked in roles such as Cyber Security Solution Engineer and Consultant.