United States Staff

Najia Nasim assumed the position of Executive Director at Women for Afghan Women (WAW) in 2018 with over 17 years of experience in the non-profit field, with a focus on civil rights, women’s empowerment, and international development, including five years managing WAW’s day-to-day operations in Afghanistan, for which she received numerous accolades.

In her former capacity as WAW’s Afghanistan Country Director, Najia built strong relations with government officials, international donors, the public sector, civil society, and influential local elders and religious leaders. She successfully led a massive program and staff expansion, as well as honed the vision, strategic direction, programmatic development, financial management, and infrastructure growth of WAW in Afghanistan.
During her tenure as Country Director, WAW increased its presence from 10 to 14 provinces, while simultaneously implementing organization-wide evaluation, reporting, operational policies, and workflow systems that greatly improved WAW’s functional efficiencies and program execution. She was able to adeptly navigate the social, political, and security challenges with which the organization grappled daily. Najia also established WAW’s Security Department, which was instrumental in protecting WAW’s facilities, clients, and staff while our shelters and centers were operational (before August 2021).
Najia was nominated for the “10 Bravest Women of the World” award in 2014 by Amnesty International and the 2015 Vaclav Havel Human Rights Prize, and in 2018, she won the Mother Teresa Memorial Award for Social Justice on WAW’s behalf. In addition, she has received official appreciation letters from both Afghanistan’s Independent Human Rights Commission and the former Ministry of Women’s Affairs for WAW’s outstanding performance under her leadership.

She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (summa cum laude) with double majors in Economics and Accounting from Bucknell University in Pennsylvania. Her academic training in the United States and years of work experience in Afghanistan equipped Najia with robust financial management skills, technical knowledge, and the practical expertise required for strategizing, developing, supervising, and expanding programs to support WAW’s mission to save, protect, and empower Afghan women, children, and their families. Najia is fluent in English, Dari, and Pashto.

Contact: office@womenforafghanwomen.org

Kevin Schumacher joined Women for Afghan Women (WAW) in December 2016. As Deputy Executive Director, he works closely with the program and operations team in Afghanistan, and supports the finance, communications, and development teams at WAW’s New York Headquarters. He regularly interfaces with WAW donors, partner organizations, and other stakeholders. He has close to 20 years of experience in grassroots organizing, human rights documentation, political research, sexual rights, and gender equality advocacy, refugee assistance, media outreach, in addition to safety and security training.

Kevin formerly served as Regional Program Coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa at OutRight Action International, an international human rights advocacy group. From 2006 to 2009, Kevin served as the Communications’ Coordinator for the same organization. Prior to joining OutRight, he worked at the Fellowship of Reconciliation, an interfaith peace and social justice organization, as the Coordinator for Iran and Iraq. Kevin is bilingual in Farsi and English, has an advanced comprehension of Standard Arabic, and a basic understanding of Turkish. He has an M.A. in International Relations from the National University, Teheran, Iran, and an M.A. in International Peace Studies from the University of Notre Dame.

Contact: kevin@womenforafghanwomen.org

Gagan comes to WAW with over twenty-five years of experience in the field of accounting/finance.  He has worked in small, mid-size and large companies, as well as both not-for-profit and for-profit organizations. Gagan is a Certified Public Accountant, has a Master of Business Administration in Information Systems and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting.

Some of Gagan’s other credentials include a Certificate in International Financial Reporting, Certificate in Business Valuations, Certificate in International Auditing, Certified Six Sigma Black Belt, and Master Black Belt and Certification in Risk Management. During his career, he has held the titles of Chief Financial Officer, Director of Finance, Controller, Assistant Controller, Accounting Manager and Manager of Corporate Accounting.

Gagan’s areas of expertise include cash management, contracts, financial statement preparation, managing audits, budgeting, forecasting, process automation, financial analysis, reporting, project management and team management. He has managed and lead teams of various sizes in completion of several projects throughout his career.

Contact: gagan@womenforafghanwomen.org

Nataliia joined Women for Afghan Women’s (WAW’s) finance team in 2019. Born and raised in Ukraine, Nataliia received her master’s degree in Economics after completing her undergraduate studies. She moved to the United States (US) with her family in 2015.

Nataliia comes to WAW with extensive experience in accounting, auditing, and financial analysis in both the private and non-profit sectors. In Ukraine, she worked as auditor for the international public accounting firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers, and worked as a financial analyst for one of the largest private agriculture companies in the country. Her US experience prior to joining WAW includes working as a financial analyst/grant accountant with the Institute of International Education in New York. At WAW, Nataliia is responsible for preparing financial statements, grant-specific expense reports and budgets, facilitating annual audits, and other financial management functions, among many other tasks.

Contact: nataliia@womenforafghanwomen.org

Dolma pursued her bachelor’s degree in Applied Mathematics from Stony Brook University. After graduation, she worked as an accountant at The Yale Club of New York City, which provided Dolma with a great platform to develop skill sets that she needed to further her career path. She joined Women for Afghan Women (WAW) in 2019 with not only her experience in finance, administration, and other coordination requirements, but also an ardent enthusiasm to be part of a team that works together in order to bring about positive change. Her commitment and eagerness to work for an organization guided by a humanitarian and community-driven mission to do the right thing fuels her hard work and ambition to also do her part in the world.

Contact: dolma@womenforafghanwomen.org

Naheed Samadi Bahram and her family migrated to Pakistan after her mother was killed in an explosion in Afghanistan. By the age of 18, Naheed was teaching English to Afghan women in Pakistan. She eventually moved to the United States where she graduated with a B.A. from Queens College. Naheed consistently has moved up the ranks at Women of Afghan Women (WAW) from a volunteer over 15 years ago, to Program Director of WAW’s NYCC, and today holds the position of the organization’s United States (US) Country Director.

Serving on several boards and committees, Naheed is an adjunct professor at Queens College and has won a multitude of awards for her service to the community and to domestic violence survivors.

Contact: naheed@womenforafghanwomen.org

Taylor is the Development Associate at Women for Afghan Women (WAW) since April 2022. In her role, she works closely with the Director of Development and the Senior Development Associate, supporting the fundraising activities of WAW's Programs. Prior to joining WAW, Taylor worked as a Development Associate and Communications Coordinator in the non-profit sector. Taylor graduated from Farmingdale State College where she studied communications.

Contact: taylor@womenforafghanwomen.org

Sabena Chaudhry has been a part of WAW since 2015. She started out as a volunteer for the Homework Help Program and would dedicate her time to WAW in between college classes. She fell in love with the impact of WAW’s direct services on the community. She joined WAW as a full time staff member in 2016, and has worked with the organization in multiple capacities - ranging from Program Coordinator to Youth Team Leader and now currently working as the Communications Specialist.

Sabena has a Masters Degree in Journalism from New York University (NYU) and has experience working in local television. With her background in journalism and love for WAW’s work, she joined the Communications team to highlight the organization’s work in the United States and Afghanistan through social media and other digital platforms.

contact: sabena@womenforafghanwomen.org

Mona Abu Rayyan joined Women for Afghan Women (WAW) in 2015 as the full-time Communications Manager. With an education in International Relations, History, Economics, and Filmmaking, Mona has over 20 years’ experience in the for-profit and not-for-profit domain, spanning from organizational development and strategic planning to marketing, media, and strategic communications.

Before WAW, Mona worked extensively in the non-profit domain in the Middle East working with refugee women, youth, and grassroots organizations. She also worked on promoting Middle Eastern arts and culture prior to moving to New York in 2012. Her career has been spent bringing not-for-profit initiatives towards their strategic goals of attaining sustainability and long-term viability while maintaining the integrity of their core missions and altruistic visions. For years, Mona worked as an independent consultant or in high-level management positions for companies and organizations including, Handicap International, Oxfam Quebec, UN-ESCWA, Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, Heinrich Boll Stiftung, Lebanese International University, the Arab Resource Collective, Optimiza Ltd., Ashkal Alwan – the Association of Lebanese Plastic Artists, InfoPro Management, and Saatchi & Saatchi, among others.

As full-time Communication Manager at WAW for several years, Mona was responsible for setting a new communications department and strategy for the organization that included rebranding WAW, and updating, overhauling, and streamlining all of WAW’s communications and social media platforms, print and digital promotional and program collateral, in addition to annual appeals and fundraising material. She now works at the organization as a part-time communications consultant.

Contact: mona@womenforafghanwomen.org

Laura joined Women for Afghan Women (WAW) as Program Manager of the NYCC in February 2022. An expert in nonprofit management and administration, Laura has worked with human rights and humanitarian organizations for 30 years. Laura began volunteering at WAW in 2015, joining the staff part-time in 2017 to teach WAW’s US Citizenship class, which she taught through a women’s rights lens.

From 2008 through 2021, Laura was Executive Director of the Louis and Nancy Hatch Dupree Foundation, a nonprofit organization that raises funds and awareness for the Afghanistan Center at Kabul University. She has been Director of Columbia Law School’s Human Rights Institute in New York and of the International Monitor Institute in Los Angeles. She was Program Officer for West and Southern Africa at the International Rescue Committee and the first full-time staff member at the Women’s Commission for Refugee Women and Children (now the Women’s Refugee Commission).

Laura serves on the Board of the TSC Alliance, a nonprofit organization that aims to find a cure for tuberous sclerosis complex while improving the lives of those affected. She also serves as the Co-Chair for the TSC Alliance of New York/New Jersey and the Lead Officer for the TSC Alliance’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Task Force. Laura earned two degrees from Columbia University: a bachelor’s degree from Columbia College and a master’s degree in international affairs, with a concentration in human rights, from the School of International and Public Affairs.

Contact: laura@womenforafghanwomen.org

Haida comes to Women for Afghan Women (WAW) with a Bachelor’s Degree in Literature from Herat- Afghanistan University. In her previous life in Kabul, Afghanistan, and before coming to the US, Haida worked with the Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Today, she works with WAW as Administrative Assistant at the NYCC in Queens, NY. Haida has extensive experience working with people of different ages and backgrounds, particularly persons struggling with their livelihoods. She brings to WAW this philanthropic and community spirit and her shared experience and empathy with the clients that come to WAW is a great asset to dealing with people who have had to move from Afghanistan to New York and the US.

Haida is personally and ethically motivated to help people find their place in their new lives. In her free time, she loves exploring different things and is always eager to learn something new. She loves reading books, going for walks in the park, roaming around the city, and visiting new places, museums, and art galleries. She is inspired to break barriers and challenge herself to find resolutions to challenges. She practices her favorite quote: “Never give up. You can do it,” as the inspiration behind her work and her relationships with coworkers and clients at WAW.

Contact: haida@womenforafghanwomen.org

Susan is an attorney licensed to practice law in the State of New York, with a concentration in immigration and real estate law. She currently serves as the Staff Attorney at Women for Afghan Women (WAW). In that role, she represents and provides direct legal assistance to WAW’s clients including but not limited to submitting USCIS applications for Citizenship, Employment Authorization Cards, Travel Documents, Family Petition Visas, Adjustment of Status, Asylum, Special Immigrant Visas and U-Visas. She prepares and represents her clients at their Citizenship, Adjustment of Status and Asylum Interviews. Aside from working directly with clients, she provides strategic legal advice to WAW’s leadership and works directly with the Case Management team to provide counsel with ongoing cases and identify means of supporting Afghans currently seeking safety in the United States. Susan obtained her B.B.A. at the Zicklin School of Business at Baruch College of the City University of New York and her J.D. at St. John’s University School of Law, where she served as an Executive Editor for the Journal of Civil Rights and Economic Development. Susan has published related works on women’s rights in Afghanistan and participated in the 62nd Session of the Commission on the Status of Women hosted by the United Nations Economic and Social Council. She is committed to community service and advocating for women’s rights and related causes.

Contact: susan@womenforafghanwomen.org

Shannon Clare is the Education Coordinator at Women for Afghan Women. She joined WAW as the Citizenship Teacher, helping students prepare for their U.S. Citizenship test. As a TESOL certified educator, and someone who has lived life abroad, Shannon understands that there are tremendous challenges that immigrant students face. To help ease some of that pressure, she puts their personal and educational needs at the forefront of her decision making. Combining these considerations with her business experience, she works to balance organizational needs with those of the students. She strives to provide a respectful, effective, and efficient environment for students and coworkers alike.

Contact: shannon@womenforafghanwomen.org

Meagan joined Women for Afghan Women (WAW) in 2022 as a Citizenship Instructor. She holds a Bachelors of Science in Sociology from Virginia Commonwealth University, a Masters of Art in Sociology and Social Justice from Kean University and a Certificate of Graduate Study (COGS) in English as a Second Language (ESL) from Rowan University. She has taught English as a second language to both children and adults over the last seven years. She has had the opportunity to work with students from all over the world with various language abilities. While working in the public school sector, she worked with community organizations and outreach partnerships to strengthen her students' education and provide them with the necessary information to be fully engaged in their community. Meagan is passionate about helping her students achieve their educational goals as well as providing a supportive and accepting learning environment that is respectful to all students' cultures, traditions and customs. She has also been an advocate and resource for international students arriving in the United States by providing the necessary tools for student success.

Contact: meagan@womenforafghanwomen.org

Saima was born in Afghanistan but lived in Pakistan as a refugee for close to twenty years. In Pakistan, Saima received an undergraduate degree in Peshawar, and then her degree in medicine from Rawalpindi Medical College, followed by a master's degree in Public Health from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

Saima comes to Women for Afghan Women (WAW) as a Caseworker with over two decades of experience with different local non-governmental institutions and other international agencies, across the globe, including at local teaching hospitals, The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

She has worked with much success in the most challenging conditions including in Pakistan, Sudan, Qatar, and Jordan. Her career began with UNHCR Afghanistan as Gender Officer during the first Taliban regime, where she advocated tirelessly for women's rights and for education for children, particularly girls. As a Reproductive Health Officer at UNFPA Sudan, Saima advocated for policies that used innovative approaches to reach and meet the the needs of young people from poor and disadvantaged communities particularly as related to HIV, family planning, emergency contraception, STIs, post-abortion care, and more.

Contact: mohammad@womenforafghanwomen.org

Zainab joined Women for Afghan Women (WAW) in 2021. Zainab graduated from Queens College with Honors in History and Anthropology. Prior to joining WAW, Zainab worked extensively with children of all ages in school settings where she instructed students and particularly supported disadvantaged students facing personal hardship. Zainab realized her affinity for helping those in need through her work and began working with children and adults to assist with teaching them English as an additional language. After the fall of Kabul, Zainab volunteered with donation distribution for Afghan refugees arriving in the US. Today, working at WAW, Zainab works on placing over 100s of vulnerable families in temporary housing through WAW’s partnership with Airbnb and supports hundreds of Afghan refugees with ground transportation services through WAW’s partnership with Uber. Zainab works with her coworkers to provide support for clients that come to WAW seeking assistance, and works hard to advocate for them and help them resolve the difficult issues and challenges that they are facing.

Contact: zainab@womenforafghanwomen.org

Like many Afghans, Women for Afghan Women (WAW) Caseworker Shazia lived as a refugee in Pakistan for many years before moving to the United States. While living in Pakistan, Shazia played an active role in refugee camps, supporting and working with displaced teenage girls, like herself, to learn English and develop their life skills. Shazia first joined WAW In October 2008 as an Office Manager. She re-joined the organization in September 2015 as a Caseworker because of her deep understanding of the culture and needs of the community, in addition to her amazing language skills and fluency in Dari, Pashto, Urdu, Hindi, and English. As a WAW Caseworker for over seven years, Shazia helps lead WAW’s Case Management Program, including implementing domestic violence services. Her biggest motivation for being a part of the team is to use her background and skills to make the world a better and safer place for women and girls.

Contact: shazia@womenforafghanwomen.org

Born in Queens to parents from Kabul, Afghanistan, Tamanna has recently graduated from Macaulay Honors College at Baruch, majoring in Public Affairs and minoring in Communications. She has been volunteering for the School of Leadership, Afghanistan (SOLA) since 2021, tutoring young women in Afghanistan in English, she has campaigned with ASEEL and she continues to improve on her Farsi speaking/reading/writing skills through Aleff Institute. Tamanna is excited to transition from being the Seniors Program Facilitator at WAW to a Caseworker and Education Coordinator. With Tamanna’s love for Afghanistan and the Afghan people, she looks forward to further connecting and helping the community in a meaningful way.

Contact: saidi@womenforafghanwomen.org

Ghezal Zekrya is a mental health counselor at our Virginia Community Center (VACC) . She is passionate about serving Afghans and helping them reach emotional and mental wellness and stability. I have a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology and a master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling with experience working in the mental health field for over 8 years. I have had the pleasure of working with the Afghan refugees initially with USAID at Dulles Expo and soon after at Quantico with USCRI as a Behavioral Mental Health Case Manager. Before joining WAW I was working as a mental health counselor at a private practice doing individual counseling sessions with teens, adults and couples. I am looking forward to working together with the wonderful team of WAW to serve in empowering and improving the lives of our Afghan community.

Contact: ghezalz@womenforafghanwomen.org

Sanam is the immigration attorney at Women for Afghan Women’s (WAW’s) VACC. She is a New York licensed attorney who has been representing immigrants for over five years. She has been representing thousands of children, women, and men who have fled violence in their home countries before US immigration courts and USCIS.

Sanam was born and raised in Tehran, Iran. She graduated from Tehran University with a master’s degree in Law. She also earned her Juris Doctorate(JD) degree from the University of Minnesota, Law School. Her move to WAW is motivated by her interests and specialties that include asylum law, family based-immigration law, removal defense, and other types of humanitarian-based immigration reliefs.

Contact: sanam@womenforafghanwomen.org