Our Leadership
Idrees Ilham
Chair of the Board
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
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
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.
Advisory Board
Zora Rasekh
Chair of the Board
Zohra Rasekh is one of the world’s leading spokeswomen for human right and gender equality. She is a former elected member of the United Nations Committee on the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and a current candidate for the United Nations Human Rights Committee. In her current position as the Director of Global Watch Group, Ms. Rasekh serves as a leader in the human rights and women empowerment movements, both locally and globally.