Tag: IPEA

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Spotlight

Laila Bandali

IPN Spotlight: Laila Bandali (President at Ivy Kids Early Learning Centers)

Laila is President and Founder of Ivy Kids Early Learning Centers (ELC). She has over 15 years of experience in developing Early Childhood Education (ECD) curriculum, management systems, operational policies and procedures. To date Laila has managed teams that have started up eight child care centers in the state of Texas. Prior to Ivy Kids ELC, she has over 25 years of experience as a Chemical Engineer in the Oil and Gas Industry.

What skills have helped you in your career?
My education and work experience as a Chemical Engineer helped me in designing systems, processes and evaluation methods. My MBA and work experience in refining economics and marketing taught me financial discipline, how to evaluate financial statements and manage the business side. I also had great mentors who inspired me to become an entrepreneur.

What do you wish you had known or done differently throughout your career?
Be more data driven, by that I mean use data analytics more to drive your decisions rather than using gut feeling. I have a tendency to jump to conclusions when making decisions based on what seems like the right thing to do.

What do you do for continuing education and improvement?
Currently my focus is on Early Childhood Education (ECD) curriculum. I attend as many professional conferences as I can on this subject matter. I spend a lot of time with experts in ECD to increase my curriculum knowledge. I read at least two articles every day. I train and lead curriculum workshops to solidify my knowledge base (in short, I am obsessed with developing my skill set).

What is next for you in your career?
I would like to take our systems at Ivy Kids and build a solid franchising business. My hope is that we can inspire others to become independent entrepreneurs and experience the joy and success of running a school. I would also like to take our model to third world countries where there is a severe lack of quality Early Childhood Development (ECD).

What advice would you offer to others?
Don’t let fear of the unknown stop you from venturing out. I truly believe that taking calculated risks is better than inaction. My advice would be to find a good mentor, trust your mentor and let them guide you through your journey (but begin your journey – don’t wait).

Areas where you can help other Ismailis:
I can help professionals with their business plans, evaluate business options within the ECD space, motivate people to take action, and help with recruitment and hiring.

Please provide the link to your LinkedIn profile:
Laila Bandali

Region:
Southwest

If you would like to nominate someone to be a part of the spotlight, click Here.

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Spotlight

Muneerah Merchant

IPN Spotlight: Muneerah Merchant (VP of Philanthropy, Khan Academy)

Muneerah started her professional career as a management consultant. She worked for over 10 years at Price Waterhouse Coopers and The Parthenon Group. In 2005, Muneerah transitioned to the non-profit sector and has since focused her efforts on non-profit management and philanthropy. She has a passion for working with organizations that provide quality and affordable education access nationally and globally. Currently, she is a member of the senior leadership team for Khan Academy and serves as its Vice President for Philanthropy.

Muneerah has also been involved as a volunteer with the Aga Khan Council for USA and various related institutions and committees since 1999. Her work has focused on quality of life improvement efforts, volunteer engagement and institutional strengthening. Muneerah is presently the President for the Aga Khan Council for Western USA. Muneerah holds a Bachelor degree in Mathematics from Smith College, a Master in Industrial Engineering and Operations Research from Northwestern University and a Master in Business Administration from Harvard University.

What skills have helped you in your career?
• Communication/interpersonal skills
• Ability to work successfully in cross-functional teams
• Problem solving skills
• Ability to prioritize and deliver consistently
• Being a good mentor/coach for my team
• Strong analytics

What do you wish you had known or done differently throughout your career?
Starting my career as a management consultant was great but I wish I had transitioned sooner from consultancy to a position in corporation. I wish I had known more about non-traditional career pathways and had more mentors who could have guided me.

What do you do for continuing education and improvement?
• Attend conferences; focus on education dialogue
• Follow key publications on education and philanthropy
• I am part of 2-3 groups that focus on development, women in development. The network is very beneficial for both my personal and work advancement

What is next for you in your career?
Double the funds raised by Khan Academy in next three years (from $50-100M) so we can continue to deliver on our mission.

What advice would you offer to others?
• Follow your passion and success will follow
• Don’t be afraid to walk away from a ‘cushy’ job if it isn’t giving you the personal satisfaction
• Something I tell my 13-year-old daughter… be good in English and Math and you can be successful in many career paths

Areas where you can help other Ismailis:
• Advice on people seeking a career in non-profit/Ed tech
• Career transition
• Work life balance

Please provide the link to your LinkedIn profile:
Muneerah Merchant

Region:
West

If you would like to nominate someone to be a part of the spotlight, click Here.

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Spotlight

Nilofer Bharwani

IPN Spotlight: Nilofer Bharwani (Teacher Trainer, US Peace Corps)

Nilofer is a passionate life mentor and a teacher by profession. Her hobbies include traveling, exploring various culinary cuisines, dance, music and sports. Currently, she is TEFL Volunteer in the United States Peace Corps.

What skills have helped you in your career?
The skills that have been extremely helpful as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Ecuador include fluency in Spanish, experience teaching English, adaptability, resilience, humility and good sense of humor.

What do you wish you had known or done differently throughout your career?
I firmly believe that languages open doors therefore I wish that I had studied more languages in my youth.

What do you do for continuing education and improvement?
Teaching is not a financially lucrative career; however, I try to teach in different countries as a means of increasing my social knowledge, which leads to greater cultural capital.

What is next for you in your career?
My next goal is to work at one of the Aga Khan Universities as a way of contributing my knowledge to the AKDN.

What advice would you offer to others?
Set a goal and do not be afraid of failure. Challenge yourself to grow in an aspect of your life every year.

Areas where you can help other Ismailis:
• Teaching English abroad
• Working for the US Peace Corps, providing teacher training
• Becoming a Spanish instructor

Please provide the link to your LinkedIn profile:
Nilofer Bharwani

If you would like to nominate someone to be a part of the spotlight, click Here.

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Spotlight

Dr. Rasul Ramji

IPN Spotlight: Dr. Rasul Ramji (Assistant Dean For Global Affairs, The University Of Louisville)

Dr. Rasul received his Doctorate of Public Health from Texas A & M University in 2013. He assumed his position as Assistant Dean for Global affairs at the University of Louisville in 2013 and is currently an active member involved in Higher Education Solutions Network (HESN) which is a USAID initiative. In 2000, Dr. Rasul received his Master of Public Health, and in 1997 he was a recipient of Doctor of Chiropractic from Texas Chiropractic College. His International academic career achievements include Bachelor of Science with honors in Entomology/Horticulture from the University of Sind in 1971 and high school graduation diploma from The Aga Khan High School, an affiliate of Cambridge University, UK.

What skills have helped you in your career?
Rural Development Education, interacting with and participating in Community Based Participatory Research (CBPR) – Interacting with rural farmers and agriculture workers.

What do you wish you had known or done differently throughout your career?
Nothing really – was blessed to have direction.

What do you do for continuing education and improvement?
Take CE courses and teach.

What is next for you in your career?
Continue as Assistant Dean for Global Affairs – Lecture Internationally on Rural development and assist in rural development projects in Georgia (country) Lahore and parts of India.

What advice would you offer to others?
Identify your goal and make sure the goal is not leading to a dead end – must chose a career with a “broad spectrum” Have multi specialties – not just one specialization.

Areas where you can help other Ismailis:
• University admission
• Guidance in admission to higher education
• Emphasize research based careers

If you would like to nominate someone to be a part of the spotlight, click Here.

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Spotlight

Najma Shah

IPN Spotlight: Najma Shah (Early Years Coordinator, Aga Khan Education Services)

Najma completed a two-year term working with Aga Khan Education Services (AKES) Tanzania. There, she managed a team of 35 educators and over 200 student’s ages 2 to 6 years. During this term, Najma spearheaded many programs including community gardening, nutrition, and health awareness, after-school activities, recognition and awareness of global holidays, and partnerships with local libraries.
Najma fostered ongoing continuing education of all staff by collaborating with accredited universities in the United States to provide training and certificates to staff. She also personally provided need-based scholarships to select individuals to become certified teachers, and mobilized resources across US and Canada to advance faculty and enrich classrooms.
Along with AKES, Najma was a consultant for Early Childhood Development programs across Dar-es-Salaam, Zanzibar, and Zambia. Before working in Tanzania, Najma was head of a Montessori school in Gaithersburg, Maryland.

What skills have helped you in your career?
One skill that has helped me succeed as a manager is staying positive. I believe in the power of positive reinforcement. When I am working with a team of people, it is important to identify individual’s strength and play up those strengths. I have found that this improves morale and benefits the child’s learning experience. I value the ability to work collaboratively with all stakeholders. It is important to assist in identifying and aligning effort towards a common goal which is synonymous with the mission and vision of the school.

What do you wish you had known or done differently throughout your career?
I do not think I would have done anything differently throughout my career. I have learned something new from each of my experiences.

What do you do for continuing education and improvement?
I always keep myself abreast of new research and development in my field by enrolling in workshops, webinars, attending seminars, and constantly learning.

What is next for you in your career?
I will continue my work in Early Childhood Development by supporting and mentoring teachers in my community. I will also continue my work in developing countries by providing consultancy and resources.

What advice would you offer to others?
My advice is to work hard in whatever you chose to do. If unique opportunities arise, go for it! It is important to go to places where you can provide your skills and education and also learn from those experiences.

Areas where you can help other Ismailis:
• I can help professionals in areas of Early Childhood Development
• I would be happy to share my overseas experiences and challenges
• Share experience on nutrition and health awareness

Please provide the link to your LinkedIn profile:
Najma Shah

If you would like to nominate someone to be a part of the spotlight, click Here.

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Spotlight

Dr. Zahra Jamal

IPN Spotlight: Dr. Zahra Jamal (Associate Director for Community Engagement at Boniuk Institute for Religious Tolerance, Rice University)

Dr. Zahra Jamal is Associate Director for Community Engagement at Boniuk Institute for Religious Tolerance at Rice University. She has taught at Harvard, MIT, University of Chicago, among others, Zahra has consulted for the UN, State Department, AKDN, and Aspen Institute. She received her Ph.D. from Harvard.

What skills have helped you in your career?
• Research
• Analysis
• Communication
• Cultural sensitivity
• Multi-tasking
• Leadership/management
• Problem-solving

What do you wish you had known or done differently throughout your career?
Retained better work-life balance, sought out more mentors.

What do you do for continuing education and improvement?
Everyday, I try to learn something new within and outside my field, be it through reading, workshops, learning from mentors, etc.

What is next for you in your career?
I’m open to whatever opportunities and blessings emerge.

What advice would you offer to others?
Ask yourself how every decision you make (be it related to education, career, family life, how you spend free time, etc.) is good for you, your family, the Jamat, the Imamat, future generations. Remember that your education and career are a means to enable you to understand and serve creation, and to leave the world a better place. So, be generous with your time, knowledge, and skills in serving society, and balance that with remembrance and prayer.

Areas where you can help other Ismailis:
• Deciding on MA vs. PhD
• Bridging academia and policy/nonprofit world
• Developing and harnessing ground-level analysis to drive policies/programs

If you would like to nominate someone to be a part of the spotlight, click Here.

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Spotlight

Dr. Zarin Gillani

IPN Spotlight: Dr. Zarin Gillani (Certified Life Purpose Coach Therapist)

Dr. Gillani has a background as a Clinical Psychologist She has a strong background as an Educational Psychologist, which gives her an edge as a Life Purpose Coach Therapist. As a Certified Trainer in the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and a member of Toastmasters since 2001, training in people skills and leadership skills are her forte. She has created custom tailored trainings for various organizations, sales people, HR departments, and Executives in Effective Communications and Conflict Resolution, Time Management, Conducting Effective Meetings, Leadership Skills, and more.

What skills have helped you in your career?
• Effective communication
• Leadership skills
• Time management
• Team building
• Facilitation skills

What do you wish you had known or done differently throughout your career?
Realizing how rich life has been sooner than later, would have lead Dr. Gillani to begin writing earlier. Looking back, she wishes she would have appreciated her mother’s wisdom much earlier.

What is next for you in your career?
Last year, Dr. Gillani decided to educate herself further and transition her career from a Psychologist to a Certified Life Purpose Coach. She is also a Leadership Index Assessment Master Programmer. Her next goal is to become a published author.

What do you do for continuing education and improvement?
Dr. Gillani constantly searches for ways to better herself and learn! She truly is a lifetime student. She teaches, reads, attends classes, seminars and other continuing education opportunities as they become available.

What advice would you offer to others?
Be a lifelong learner, continue to educate yourself. Always err on the side of caution. Keep the mindset of gratitude all the time. Live in the present.

Areas where you can help other Ismailis:
• Coach through career transitions
• Guest speaking on various topics
• Assist in professional development

If you would like to nominate someone to be a part of the spotlight, click Here.

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Spotlight

Dr. Zohray Talib

IPN Spotlight: Dr. Zohray Talib (Associate Professor of Medicine & Health Policy, George Washington University)

Dr. Zohray Talib is Associate Professor of Medicine and of Health Policy at the George Washington University in Washington, D.C. She practices Internal Medicine and is a leader in global health with expertise in health workforce, community engagement and medical education. Dr. Talib is a Member of the National Academy of Science Global Forum of Health Professions Education and currently serves as the Honorary Secretary of the Aga Khan Health Board for the USA. She has worked with leadership of medical schools in Africa to improve the quality of their education programs. She currently leads a study across ten countries examining the value of bringing students and academic rigor to community health facilities. Dr. Talib has consulted for programs in Central Asia and Africa and has published on different aspects of building capacity within health system in low-resource settings. Dr. Talib received her B.Sc. in Physical Therapy from McGill University and her M.D. from the University of Alberta.

What skills have helped you in your career?
Being able to develop my career in multiple dimensions simultaneously – as a clinician, as an educator, as a program director, and as a global health researcher.
Balancing the urgent daily tasks, while also investing regularly in a longer-term goal and keeping my eye on the ball of what contribution I would like to make.
As a mom of three kids, the balancing act can get complex so I have embraced creative ways of managing at home including scheduling meals in advance, shopping online for groceries and getting the kids involved in housework.

What do you wish you had known or done differently throughout your career?
There were times during residency training that I could not see the light at the end of the tunnel. The days seemed long and I was not able to nurture any other part of my career path. At those times, I needed reminders that it is important to embrace certain phases of learning and dive deep in skill-building. In hindsight it is much easier to appreciate the value of having immersed myself in clinical training for that time.

What is next for you in your career?
I would like to continue to strengthen the academic health sector in low-resource settings. I feel strongly that strong academic institutions can underpin and sustain development. Strengthening academia will require diversifying partnerships (e.g. to include the private sector) and innovative thinking on how we teach and evaluate education programs. I would like to continue to build the evidence and advocate for decentralizing academia. Bringing academic rigor and resources to low-resource communities and under-served areas creates a vibrant environment where there is synergy and efficiency between teaching, learning, service and research.

What do you do for continuing education and improvement?
I am constantly learning. I am an ad hoc reviewer for several medical journals which is a way to keep abreast of what is happening in my field of work. My research and teaching roles require me to read the literature regularly and I often read about the conditions my patients have. Like many others, I also watch TED talks and enjoy reading articles on social media.

What advice would you offer to others?
Allow for creative paths to achieve your career goals – don’t assume just because you can’t see the path that there isn’t one. Career paths are rarely linear. New doors often open at unpredictable times, so allow for that while working diligently towards the goals you set. Work hard and smart but also seek mentors to guide you in different aspects of your career. It is very uncommon to find one mentor who can advise on everything and often it takes time, effort and patience to find the right mentor. Be bold and ask those you admire if they can guide you on your path.

Areas where you can help other Ismailis:
•Mentoring professionals interested in global public health
•Finding opportunities to get involved in our community service
•Monitoring and evaluation

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Spotlight

Lela Nensey Basaria

IPN Spotlight: Lela Nensey Basaria (Real Estate Broker, Baird & Warner )

Lela Nensey Basaria acquired her degree in Finance from DePaul University and worked at Federal Reserve as a Bank Auditor/Budget Analyst. After working long hours in the corporate world Lela decided to be with her daughter and leave Federal Reserve and went back to school to obtain a degree in Early Childhood Education along with becoming certified as a director for a preschool. Lela’s dream of starting a preschool was placed aside when they were faced with the challenges of 9/11. Lela started a small business in the mall and then in 2006, she purchased a franchise, Cinnabon, and in 2012 she obtained her Real Estate License. She began her Jamati involvement in 2001 as a TA, then, was appointed as a principal of NREC. She has also been a part of the Social Welfare Board for a few years and currently blessed with the position of REC coordinator. They were blessed with the opportunity to serve behind part for Chandratt Majalas as well. Lela’s daughter continued the tradition by becoming a TA then a teacher of 5th grade.

What skills have helped you in your career?
I honestly feel that my communication skills have proved to be paramount in my personal and professional career. I love working with people; whether they are mall managers, clients in Real Estate, and parents for REC, or teachers.

What do you wish you had known or done differently throughout your career?
Looking back, I have no regrets towards the decisions I have made in my life. At times, I do think to myself, “Where would have I been today if I did not leave Federal Reserve–retiring a position of such high prestige. But then I look at our daughter. I was blessed enough to give her some time in my busy day when I switched career paths. She has turned out to be such a successful young lady, and now that she has left for college, every day I am thankful that I did not lose the opportunity to be with her. Shukar Mowla…for giving me the opportunity. In the end, I can easily say that the sacrifices I made were small in comparison to the rewards they helped me receive.

What do you do for continuing education and improvement?
My daughter always says, “I can’t wait to be done with school,” and I always laugh and say, “Honey, you’re never going to be done learning.” In order to maintain my Real Estate license, I am asked to complete CE hours. Regardless of my required CE hours, I always like to learn and try to instill the passion of learning within my daughter as well. Currently, I am contemplating taking some Spanish classes to become fluent in a language I began learning in high school. I am able to communicate with native speakers, but I would really like to become completely fluent. I am also considering taking Physic classes……..lets see

What is next for you in your career?
I would like to sell my Cinnabon and finally pursue my dream to start a Pre-school, all the while maintaining my Real Estate career. I always pray: “Mowla, please guide me in the path which is beneficial for my family and always, always, bless us with the opportunity to continue SEVA in any way possible…”

What advice would you offer to others?
The best advice I can give to anyone is: to follow your passion–because at the end of the day, things do work out. Stay in school because you can never have too much education and that is one thing, which no one can take away from you. Always do SEVA in anyway possible. (Stay connected to your roots). I have blind faith and that would be my advice. That is what we tell our daughter follow your dream and pursue your passion…be honest and do SEVA. My blind faith says…When you do for Mowla then Mowla returns it right away…

Areas where you can help other Ismailis:
• I can help individuals with business advice
• I have also maintained great relationship with mall managers
• I can also give inside to the housing market or any which way possible

If you would like to nominate someone to be a part of the spotlight, click Here.

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Spotlight

Dr. Henna Budhwani

IPN Spotlight: Dr. Henna Budhwani (Assistant Professor & Deputy Director, University of Alabama at Birmingham)

Dr. Henna Budhwani, Assistant Professor in the Department of Health Care Organization and Policy and Deputy Director of the UAB Sparkman Center for Global Health (School of Public Health), holds a Ph.D. in Medical Sociology and an M.P.H. in Health Care Organization and Policy from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Dr. Budhwani works closely with community partners in the United States and abroad that are interested in improving health outcomesof vulnerable populations through public health practice. Dr. Budhwani’s research interests include health disparities, with an emphasis on immigrant and minority health, and international health, in the areas of reproductive health and infectious disease.

What skills have helped you in your career?
My first job out of college was with a sales and marketing firm. There I learned to gracefully take no for an answer and to accept that not all rejection was personal. I learned perseverance, which is particularly important in academia. I often tell my students (who are interested in careers in international development) to learn to be likable or quirky or both. Global work is built upon relationships, so if a potential partner, such as a Ministry of Health, doesn’t like you or doesn’t find you compelling, they’re not going to work with you. However, if the partner likes you, they’re typically willing to assist in any way possible. Personal dynamics matter.

What do you wish you had known or done differently throughout your career?
Not a thing. It’s been a great ride so far.

What is next for you in your career?
Keep doing what I’m doing – build a research portfolio, continue to teach, and work as a public health practitioner collaborating with community partners.

What do you do for continuing education and improvement?
Since I’m working in the Dominican Republic, I’ll probably have to learn Spanish. Since, I’m constantly running research studies, I have to stay up-to-date on the current literature. I’ve also started running my work by an external colleague for feedback. What comes back may be ego-crushing, but inevitably leads to a better product.

What advice would you offer to others?
Say yes. I’ve had opportunities that I felt I was slightly less than qualified for, but I always said yes. After acceptance, I made sure I wouldn’t disappoint. Someone took a chance on me; thus, it became my responsibility to ensure I lived up to his or her expectations.

Additionally, regardless of your professional accomplishments and personal commitments, always serve the Jamat – always. Your success is not only yours; it is critical to the upward trajectory of the community, and service is also good for your personal development. Seva will make you a better person. Always give back, and do so with grace, humility, and a touch of humor.

Areas where you can help other Ismailis:
• Guidance on careers in academia
• Assistance with doctoral applications
• Possibly engaging masters or doctoral students on select studies