Meet Our Team
Our Leadership
Mark Kryzer
Chair of the Board
Mark is the former Country Representative to Afghanistan for The Asia Foundation and has lived and worked in Afghanistan for a total of 15 years. Mark began his career in Afghanistan as a Foreign Service Officer with the U.S. Department of State serving at the U.S. Embassies in Kabul and Islamabad as a Political Officer during the Soviet Occupation years in the 1980’s. He returned to Afghanistan in 2003-2018 to work with The Asia Foundation as the Chief of Party on a variety of democracy and governance programs and eventually as the Country Representative where he managed the country office of over 150 people and 15 different national development programs with a $63 million annual budget. His international development experience includes public sector institution building and reform, civil society, anti-corruption, women’s rights and empowerment, judicial reform, surveys and social research, and Islam and Development. He has over 30 years of international donor Program Management experience with USAID, DFID, AusAID, CIDA, JICA, EU, UNDP, The World Bank, the U.S. Department of State, and the governments of the Netherlands, Belgium, Norway, and Germany. Mark holds an MA in South Asian Studies and Islamic History; and an MBA in Program Management and Organizational Development. He lives in the state of Minnesota in the U.S., plays Jazz drums, is an avid runner, and a pretty good cook.
Hassina Sherjan
Executive Director
Hassina Sherjan, a consummate professional with over 30 years of thorough knowledge and experience in education, business, communication, and journalism, is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Aid Afghanistan For Education. Hassina is a co-author of “Toughing It Out in Afghanistan,” published in February 2011, and has published various op-eds in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Guardian, USA Today, and more. She is a member of the Board of Advisors at Samuel Hall, and a Global Ambassador for The International Alliance for Women (TIAW). She received The International Alliance for Women World of Difference Award 2012 and is an ambassador for Women Entrepreneurship Day representing Afghanistan, and a Global Ambassador for NGO World Day. Hassina received a Master of Public Administration degree from Harvard Kennedy School and received Honorary Doctor of Law degree from Queen’s University, Canada. She is a 2023 GlobalGiving Community Voices fellow.
The Board
Matthew Griffin
Board Member
Catherine M. Millett
Board Member
Hilda Grigorian
Board Member
Elizabeth J. Weber
Board Member
Matthew “Griff” Griffin co-founded Combat Flip Flops in Kabul, Afghanistan. Griff specialized in developing solutions for companies growing business in “difficult” locations. A Graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point with a degree in Engineering Management.
Dr. Catherine Millett is a senior research scientist and strategic advisor in the research division at ETS. She has led the Policy Evaluation and Research Center’s applied research projects and conducted policy research and program evaluations. Her current research focuses on the factors that lead to postsecondary readiness, access, success and completion for learners at various stages of transition from high school through graduate school.
Elizabeth J. “Betsy” Weber is a seasoned professional with extensive experience in the nonprofit and international development sectors. She joined the National Executive Service Corps (NESC) as its president in 2006, after serving as a volunteer leader for various nonprofit organizations in the US and overseas. At NESC, she oversaw a team of 23 staff and 175 volunteer consultants who provided management consulting services to nonprofit clients, helping them improve their board governance, strategic planning, and operational efficiency.
Dr. Hilda Grigorian has over 25 years of professional experience in private sector in the U.S.A and over 18 years of in International Development working in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Armenia. She has worked for USAID and other donor agencies for seven years in Afghanistan and contributed to education and women empowerment in several provinces.
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Idrees Ilham
Board Member
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Kimberley Motley
Board Member
Behzad Roohi
Board Member
Behzad Roohi is a humanitarian and international development leader with more than 20 years of experience managing complex emergency responses and stabilization programs across Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia. Currently serving as the CEO of Global Agency for International Development Inc. Previously, Roohi worked as the Senior Humanitarian Advisor and the Leader for USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance, Sudan Emergency Response, where he oversaw nearly $1 billion in aid while coordinating strategy with U.S. and international partners. Earlier in his career, Roohi served as US Government’s senior civilian representative in Afghanistan’s Shindand District, where he managed projects reaching over 300,000 people and authored the Province Stability Strategy. His work there included pioneering education and empowerment initiatives for women and youth in rural communities, helping bridge gaps in literacy, technology, and leadership. A strong advocate for education, Roohi has promoted learning and resilience in conflict-affected regions worldwide. His contributions have earned recognition from the U.S. Government and host nations, including the Medal of Merit for Civilian-Military Achievement and recognition from Herat Provincial Government.
Idrees Ilham is a seasoned project manager with over 20 years of experience in the development and humanitarian sectors, renowned for his ability to navigate complex and sensitive environments. With a proven track record of managing high-impact projects with budgets ranging from $1 million to $250 million, Idrees has successfully led diverse teams of over 100 national and international professionals. His expertise encompasses program development, strategic planning, problem-solving, and monitoring and evaluation, with a strong focus on initiatives that promote democracy, governance, education, anti-corruption, human rights, and women’s empowerment. Notably, during his tenure as Director of Governance and Law Programs at The Asia Foundation, he implemented groundbreaking reforms that enhanced citizen participation and strengthened local governance structures. Additionally, Idrees has served as chair of boards of directors and has been an active member in government and the rule of law initiatives, playing a vital role in reforming the curriculum of law and Sharia faculties in Afghanistan. A recipient of multiple awards from esteemed organizations, including USAID, Idrees is committed to aligning his passion for social change with actionable solutions. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Public Administration from the American University of Afghanistan and is multilingual
Kimberley Motley is an international human rights and civil rights attorney with over 21 years’ field-based and courtroom-based experience in international human rights, civil rights, and criminal law. Her field work includes working in Afghanistan, Malaysia, Bolivia, and the United States. From 2009 to 2021, Attorney Motley worked in Afghanistan as the first foreign attorney to litigate cases in its criminal, civil, and commercial courts. She worked independently with a particular focus on representing vulnerable persons namely women and children on a wide variety of human rights abuses. Motley’s work in Afghanistan and beyond has included, securing the first Presidential Pardon for a woman charged with adultery, successfully working on international child abduction cases which resulted in the return of British and Australian children ages ranging from 2 years to 8 years old, working in Bolivia to stop the legalization of child rapes under the age of 6 through the representation of a forensic doctor, and successfully representing a New York Times journalist who was forced to leave Afghanistan based on his news reporting. Motley’s work has been internationally reported and she has trained hundreds of lawyers around the world on litigation strategies in their respective jurisdictions. Additionally, her work was profiled in an award-winning documentary entitled MOTLEY’s LAW. Motley has also written a book entitled LAWLESS, and has given a TED TALK entitled “How I Defend the Rule of Law” that has garnered over 1.2 million views.
Advisory Board
Wallied Shirzoi
Foreign Policy Expert
Wallied Shirzoi is a foreign policy and higher education expert with significant experience working in the Middle East, Central and South Asia. He specializes in managing complex large-scale evidence-based programs in these geographic zones. Prior to this role, Mr. Shirzoi led the Middle East and North Africa portfolio at the Evidence for Policy Design (EPoD) at Harvard University. During this time, he led evidence-based policy engagements with the Ministry of Labor and Social Development, and the Ministry of Education, respectively, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Volunteer
Your Time Can Change Lives
At Aid Afghanistan for Education (AAFE), we believe that change starts with people—people like you, who are willing to give their time and talent to a cause that matters.
Volunteers are essential to our mission. With a small staff and a global reach, we rely on dedicated volunteers to help us expand access to education, raise awareness, and support Afghan children and girls in rebuilding their futures. Whether you're helping with fundraising, communications, research, or administration, your contribution makes a real impact.
Join Our Volunteer Team
We’re always looking for passionate, reliable people to join our volunteer network. Your skills can help us reach more learners and amplify our mission.
Want to learn more about volunteering with AAFE?
Submit your email below, and we’ll be in touch with next steps.
Meet Our Volunteers
Get to know some of the dedicated individuals behind the scenes who make our work possible. We’re proud to shine a light on their contributions, creativity, and commitment.
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Sydney
Volunteer
Sydney joined Aid Afghanistan for Education in August 2024 and contributes her expertise to donor communications and program support. She holds a Master’s degree in Comparative Education and International Development from the University of Edinburgh, where her research explored how education shaped the failure of liberal peacebuilding efforts in Afghanistan during the 2001–2021 U.S. occupation. Sydney also earned a dual degree in Elementary Education and International Development and Conflict Management from the University of Maryland. Outside of AAFE, she enjoys spending time with friends and family and is an avid reader.
Wakas
Volunteer
Wakas has been part of the AAFE team since August 2023, providing vital support to the finance department as an accountant. He manages financial records in Odoo, prepares financial statements, budgets, and forecasts, and assists with tax filings—ensuring accuracy, confidentiality, and compliance with donor and organizational standards. A Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Wakas holds a Master’s degree in Accounting and certifications in auditing, accounting, and Information Technology. He brings over 15 years of experience in financial management, internal auditing, and donor compliance across both NGOs and the private sector.
Kristen
Volunteer
Kristen began volunteering with AAFE in 2022 and now leads the organization’s volunteer program as Volunteer Manager. She oversees volunteer recruitment, onboarding, engagement, and ongoing support across the team. Kristen holds an MA in Educational Technology from Concordia University and a BA in Communication from Simon Fraser University. With over a decade of experience in research, education, and program coordination, she currently works as a Research Associate focusing on workforce trends, AI policy, and program development. Kristen is deeply committed to equitable access to education and brings that passion to her work with AAFE. In her spare time, she loves to bake and play Dungeons & Dragons with friends.
Hope
Volunteer
Hope started volunteering for AAFE in 2025 and contributes as a graphic designer. In her spare time she loves to read and play with her two dogs.
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Milan
Volunteer
Hi, I'm Milan from Serbia. I’m a graphic and web designer with a background in digital media and marketing. I’m volunteering because I believe every child deserves access to education, no matter where they’re born. Supporting girls’ education and ending child labour are causes I deeply care about, and I’m happy to use my skills to help raise awareness and create change.