We are proud to introduce the incredible members of our 2025 HER Gala Committee. These dedicated leaders, changemakers, and advocates are giving their time, talents, and energy to make this year’s gala a success. Their commitment helps Women for Afghan Women create a night that not only celebrates resilience and hope but also raises critical support for the Afghan women and girls we serve. We are deeply grateful for their generosity, creativity, and passion, and we look forward to sharing the team behind the HER Gala.
Mariam Osman
Managing Director and COO, Global Investment Operations (GIO)
Mariam is Managing Director and COO of Global Investment Operations (GIO), where she drives client service excellence, operational performance, and the delivery of GIO’s scale and control framework. She previously led the GIO Services group, aligning investment and client business teams to enhance the GIO platform and spearheading its commercialization strategy.
Read more about Mariam and why she invests in HER.
Shamsia Osman Sheehan
Senior Counsel, 7-Eleven, Inc.
Shamsia is an Afghan American attorney and a passionate advocate for the rights and dignity of Afghan women and girls. She serves on the HER Gala committee for Women for Afghan Women (WAW), where she works to amplify the voices and needs of Afghan communities and help secure critical funding for programs that empower women and girls to live with safety, agency, and hope.
Read more about Shamsia and why she invests in HER.
Nima Saleh
“I was born in Kabul during a time of deep unrest, conflict that has only grown and evolved as I have, however we left when I was just a few months old because of the Soviet–Afghan War, which forced so many Afghan families to become refugees as well. While I’ve never been back, being Afghan is one of the most important parts of who I am. My mother, a refugee and young widow, traveled across India, China, Russia, Germany, and eventually to the United States to bring my sister and me to safety. Her strength and determination are a true example of the resilience and power of Afghan women, something I carry with me every day. Like so many others, she made these sacrifices in the hope of giving us a chance at the American dream.”
Read more about Nima and why she invests in HER.
Atiq Nusrat
Atiq is an experienced business development and financial consultant with over 15 years of leadership experience in private sector advocacy, international trade, and economic policy. He has a proven track record of fostering entrepreneurship, empowering private sector growth, and driving market reforms in complex and transitional environments. Nusrat served as Deputy CEO and later CEO of the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment (ACCI), where he led strategic initiatives to strengthen the business ecosystem and facilitate sustainable economic development.
Read more about Atiq and why he invests in HER.
The HER Gala will be an unforgettable evening as we come together to uplift the voices and stories of Afghan women and girls, celebrate resilience, and raise critical funds for life-changing services. For information on the event, tickets, and sponsorship packages, visit HER Gala.
Next Steps and Helpful Links
- Learn more about WAW’s Invest in HER campaign here.
- Learn more about WAW’s U.S. and Afghanistan resources here.
- Stay up to date about WAW here.
- Support our programming and services here.
- Browse WAW’s Blog here.
Mariam Osman
Managing Director and COO, Global Investment Operations (GIO)| HER Gala Committee, Women for Afghan Women
Mariam is Managing Director and COO of Global Investment Operations (GIO), where she drives client service excellence, operational performance, and the delivery of GIO’s scale and control framework. She previously led the GIO Services group, aligning investment and client business teams to enhance the GIO platform and spearheading its commercialization strategy.
Since joining BlackRock in 2013 in the BlackRock Trading group, Mariam has led initiatives across market structure, regulatory strategy, and clearing operations, including Brexit adaptation and FICC Repo clearing. Prior to BlackRock, she held leadership roles at UBS and Goldman Sachs, and taught English in Afghanistan.
She holds a BS in Computer Science from Saint John’s University and an MS in Information Systems from New York University.
Why I invest in HER?
“I choose to spend time helping those who may otherwise go unnoticed. Just because Afghan women and families aren’t in the headlines the way they were 10–20 years ago doesn’t mean their suffering has ended. If I have the privilege and ability to help, and I don’t act, then what’s the purpose of that privilege?”
Shamsia Osman Sheehan
Senior Counsel, 7-Eleven, Inc.| Fundraising Committee Member, Women for Afghan Women
Shamsia is an Afghan American attorney and a passionate advocate for the rights and dignity of Afghan women and girls. She serves on the fundraising committee for Women for Afghan Women (WAW), where she works to amplify the voices and needs of Afghan communities and help secure critical funding for programs that empower women and girls to live with safety, agency, and hope.
Professionally, Shamsia is a Senior Legal Counsel at 7-Eleven, Inc., but beyond her legal expertise, Shamsia brings something even more powerful to her advocacy: lived experience. As a refugee and woman who was afforded opportunities that many Afghan women still fight for, she is committed to opening doors for others. She believes deeply in WAW’s mission and in the power of investing in Afghan women to create change that ripples through generations.
Why do I Invest in HER?
“Because I am her.
I am an Afghan woman—a refugee of the Cold War who was given opportunities that so many Afghan women today are denied. I was able to pursue an education, become a lawyer, and build a life of safety, purpose, and self-determination. But I carry with me the knowledge that my story is the exception, not the rule.
I invest in her because I know what she’s capable of when she’s given the chance. I invest in her because I’ve seen—within my own family, my community, and across generations—the strength, brilliance, and resilience that Afghan women possess, even in the face of unimaginable adversity.
But resilience alone is not enough. She deserves resources. She deserves support. She deserves someone to believe in her potential—not just in theory, but in action. That’s what Women for Afghan Women does. It builds real bridges to opportunity, to safety, to education, to healing. And every dollar invested is a step toward justice and empowerment.
I Invest in HER because I want her to have what I had—and more. I want her to have choices, to lead, to speak, to thrive.
I hope you will invest in her too. Because when we invest in Afghan women we’re investing in strength. We’re investing in leadership. We’re investing in possibility.
And that is an investment worth making.”
Nima Saleh
“I was born in Kabul during a time of deep unrest, conflict that has only grown and evolved as I have, however we left when I was just a few months old because of the Soviet–Afghan War, which forced so many Afghan families to become refugees as well. While I’ve never been back, being Afghan is one of the most important parts of who I am. My mother, a refugee and young widow, traveled across India, China, Russia, Germany, and eventually to the United States to bring my sister and me to safety. Her strength and determination are a true example of the resilience and power of Afghan women, something I carry with me every day. Like so many others, she made these sacrifices in the hope of giving us a chance at the American dream.
Growing up in America, I often felt torn between two identities: wanting to fit in as American while also holding onto my Afghan heritage. Over time, I realized I didn’t have to choose. Our culture is so rich, full of beauty, warmth, poetry, tradition, and perseverance, that it naturally became part of who I am, woven into my American-ness.
I joined the HER Gala Committee because I believe deeply in the strength of Afghan women. Women everywhere are still fighting for equality, but in Afghanistan, that fight is even more urgent. Supporting this cause feels like a calling, a way to honor my roots and give back to a community that has given me so much pride. I currently live in New York City and work as a product manager at a fintech company called BlueTape, which provides working capital to small and medium-sized businesses, helping them grow and achieve their own version of the American dream.”
Atiq Nusrat
Atiq is an experienced business development and financial consultant with over 15 years of leadership experience in private sector advocacy, international trade, and economic policy. He has a proven track record of fostering entrepreneurship, empowering private sector growth, and driving market reforms in complex and transitional environments. Nusrat served as Deputy CEO and later CEO of the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment (ACCI), where he led strategic initiatives to strengthen the business ecosystem and facilitate sustainable economic development.
Following his tenure at ACCI, Nusrat founded a consulting and marketing firm in Turkey focused on supporting Afghan diaspora entrepreneurs and businesses, helping them navigate investment opportunities, business startups, and cross-border trade. Now based in Virginia, he combines his expertise in international business development with his role as a Licensed Insurance and Annuities Agent, offering tailored financial protection, retirement, and investment planning services. Nusrat is deeply committed to promoting economic empowerment, especially within immigrant and underserved communities, by providing culturally sensitive and accessible financial guidance.
Why I Invest in HER:
“I support Invest in HER because empowering Afghan women is not just the right thing to do—it’s essential for the future of our communities. Whether in Afghanistan or here in the U.S., Afghan women continue to show resilience, strength, and leadership under incredibly difficult circumstances. By investing in them, we are investing in the well-being, stability, and progress of entire families and future generations. I’m honored to support this important cause and stand with Afghan Women for Women (WAW) in their mission to uplift and create lasting impact.”
