Board of Directors Bios
Asma Faizi is the President of the Afghan Women's Organization. She is a lawyer and currently working as an associate at Torys LLP where she primarily focuses on intellectual property litigation matters involving patents, trademarks and copyright She has a Master of Science in Pharmacology from the University of Toronto and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Toronto. . She has been advocating on behalf of Afghan women for over a decade, in Canada, and internationally, on human rights issues.
Nazia Amin is the vice president of Afghan Women’s Organization. She is an insurance broker very actively involved with Afghan Community and she is also working with Nabawi mosque of Afghan Community in Toronto.
Latifa Sarwari is the Treasurer of Board of Directors of Afghan Women Organization. She obtained a B.Com degree from University of Toronto in 2002, later she completed her Certified General Accountant "CGA" designation in 2007, and she has also completed the CICA In-Depth Tax Course in 2009. She worked at Ernst&Young as Senior Tax Accountant and at State Farm Insurance as Analysis, Reporting and Tax Accountant. Currently she is working as an Assistant Manager of Taxation at Lombard Canada.
Behishta Jaghori is a member of Board of Directors for Afghan Women's Organization. She is currently a phD. student in the Counselling psychology program McGill University, her immediate academic and research interests have focus on the field of women's mental health and cross-cultural counseling; including her recent MA thesis that explored the impact of the Taliban regime on Afghan women expatriates now living in the Greater Toronto Area. She has worked on various psychological research projects at university and hospital settings for several years. Her non-academic pursuits include work with non-governmental organizations on gender issues, economic development, and the promotion of peace both in Afghanistan and the diaspora.
Sharifa Ahmadzai is member of Board of Directors at Afghan Women's Organizations. She has bachelors of Journalism form university of Kabul, In Afghanistan she worked as a producer, writer and host of two famous shows Zamzama Hai Shab Hangam and Walali. Currently she is working and assisting Afghan Media.
Zahria Daud is member of board of Directors at Afghan Women’s Organization. She is a high school graduate and she worked as bank manager in Afghanistan, currently she owns a small business.
Najeeba Shairza a former teacher was the founder and the principal of Hazrat-e-Bibi Aisha School for girls. She organized various extracurricular activities in after school hours and during summer holidays; for example, English courses, rug weaving, beats sewing, literacy courses, calligraphy and much more. Moreover, she volunteered in varous different locations such as Senior Link, Afghan Women's Organization and various other locations. Najeeba is a mother of one son and two daughters.
Ms. Ahmadi has acquired her degree in Medicine from the University of Tehran, Iran in 2007. She moved to Canada in 2007 and began her voluntary work with several professional as well as community based organizations including the Afghan Women's Organization while working toward recognition of herself as medical doctor in Canada. She has also completed observer-ship and volunteer work in hospitals, and pharmacies. At the present time, she is working as medical assistant under the supervision of family physician while facilitating 2 IMG study groups for MCCEE and MCCQEI exam prepatation for newcomer foreign trained doctors under the supervision of Health Force Ontario and the Afghan Women's Organization.
Shakila Hassanyar is member of Board of Directors at Afghan Women’s Organization. She has Agriculture degree form university of Kabul, and owns and operates a hair salon since 1998 in Toronto. She has been actively involved in community for years, from 1999-2005 she has served as a council member, women’s development chair, on The Agha Khan Ismaili Council for Ontario, she has also served as a board member on Focus North America. Since August 2009 she is a Board member on The Agha Khan Economic Planning Board for Canada.
Wajma Soroor:
Wajma Soroor is the youngest in a family of 8 Afghan singers, actors, writers and artists. Canada has been her home since she was a little girl. After working for several years in corporate communications, Wajma returned to York University to received a BA Hons in Communications and Sociology. Wajma's interests and experiences span from academic research in newcomer youth mental health, global leadership and community outreach to music and art as technologies for change. In 2008, Wajma returned to Afghanistan to release her very first radio documentary with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. A member of the Board Directors for the Afghan Women's Organization, Wajma hopes to continue serving newcomers' community and empowering its young voices.
Hassiba Anna Esmatyar is a member of Board of Directors at Afghan Women’s Organization. She has a diploma in Civil Engineering Technology from Seneca college, and Faculty of Engineering Architecture and Science ( FEAS) -Ryerson University, PMAC Diploma in Principals of buying from Centennial college. She has also successfully completed the TTC Personal and Professional Skills Diploma and a certificate in MS Office XP form CDI College. She is currently working as a Training Coordinator truck and structure department, Wilson yard-plant building, Toronto Transit Commission.
Ms. Ahmad has a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, University of Toronto and Bachelor of Science (Psychology & Philosophy), University of Toronto. Her extensive work experience include, Case Manager, Mississauga Halton Community Care Access Centre (MHCCAC), RN- Intensive Care Unit, OTMH, RN- Sergical Unit, OTMH, Trauma-Neutosurgery Unit, St. Michael's Hospital, Clinical Extern (Nursing) - Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Hospital for Sick Children, working in a delegated nursing role associated with the ICU nurse, and Pharmacy Technician - Shoppers Drug Mart, Toronto & Burlington. She is an active and outstanding member of the community and has contributed through her volunteerism.
Ms. Rasul was first introduced to Afghan Women's Organization as a client in 1989 when she came as a refugee to Canada. She iss busy mother of four children. Kobra is a good role model for other refugees. She raised well educated children who contribute positively in Canadian society. Kobra has volunteered extensively for the newcomer's community and particularly with the Afghan Women's Organization by assisting in organization of events and conferences. She is well trained and established member of the Catering Group and a role medel for newcomer women.
Hilai Noori:
Hilai arrived to Canada 25 years back. Upon completion of high school with honours, she applied to and was accepted to the Commerce Program ar McMaster University and received two scholarships. She graduated in 2006 and began her employment at a government health care organization in 2007. she got married in 2009. In addition to her membership with the AWO, she also volunteer at the Oakville Distress Centre Centre and have been doing so since 2010. Hilai's current short-term goals include obtaining higher education and becoming an active member of her community. Long-Term goals include making a difference, however small, in the community we lived in. Hobbies include reading, politics and shopping!
Shafiqa Akbari:
Ms. Akbari has completed her formal education in Afghanistan. She moved to Pakistan in 1987 where throughout her 14 year of stay, she was busy teaching Afghan refugee children. She moved to Canada with her family in 2001 and has attended various English and educational programs. She has been a volunteer with the Afghan Women's Organization since arrival and at the present runs the Heritage language of the organization.
Abeda Balouch:
Abeda Balouch is an active member of the Afghan Community. After graduating from high school, she got enrolled in Literature department of University of Kabul. After two years she left Afghanistan for India. She has served as a host in Balochi language in All India Radio for 18 years. Currently, she is assisting local media in Toronto, and hosts Baluchi TV program talk show. She has previously served at Afghan Women's Organization board and remained an active dedicated volunteer at the organization.
