Tag: Women

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Spotlight

Megan Jaffer

IPN Spotlight: Megan Jaffer (Task Force Lead/Strategist, Noblis NSP)

Megan Jaffer currently serves as a senior advisor to the President and Senior Management team of Noblis NSP, a defense and intelligence community contractor. As a key Strategist, Consultant, and Program Implementer, Megan works to streamline activities within Noblis NSP based on the priorities of the President and Senior Management. Megan has substantial experience in business analysis, strategic corporate communications, and managing program deliverables, as well as in budgeting, strategic planning, and change management. She has spent the bulk of her career in organizational leadership and outreach. In 2015, Megan co-founded a women in intelligence organization, which focuses on the development of professional women serving the US national security mission. Megan holds a B.A. in International Relations from DePaul University and an M.A. in Korean Studies from Yonsei University.

What skills have helped you in your career?
• Perseverance
• Hard-work
• Problem solving
• Connecting people
• Sincere listener

What do you wish you had known or done differently throughout your career?
I am thrilled at where I am in my career, however, there have been many lessons learned. I wish I would have worried less about the path I took and realized early on that you learn something from every good and bad experience in your career. Those experiences will help you be a better employee, student and/or leader in the future! I would have started networking much earlier in my career!

What do you do for continuing education and improvement?
I always try to identify one new subject matter or area of work in each job or organization I’m in that I am less familiar with and seek to get a more detailed level of knowledge on that topic. Part of that effort involves finding a mentor in that area and working with them to develop my skill set.

What is next for you in your career?
I want to continue to learn and be challenged. I look forward to helping others navigate their career paths.
My personal goal is to become a Chief Operating Officer for a defense/intelligence community contractor.

What advice would you offer to others?
Be honest with yourself and with those you work with. If you have a passion and know where you want to go with your career, never give up. A good leader knows their strengths and their weaknesses; and is not afraid to surround themselves with smart people.

Areas where you can help other Ismailis:
• Job placement
• Mentoring
• Making connections in the National Security space
• Sounding board

Please provide the link to your LinkedIn profile:
Megan Jaffer

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Spotlight

Shirin Lalani

IPN Spotlight: Shirin Lalani (Senior IT Program Manager, American Airlines)

Shirin lives in Phoenix, AZ but her hometown is Chicago, IL. Currently, Shirin is a Sr IT Program Manager at American Airlines. She has been trained in various Project Methodologies over the years and has a PMP. Shirin has been a PM with the company for 6 years in areas of HR, Portal, Revenue Accounting, Alliances and Reservations. Her education background consist of a Bachelor in Science (double major in Psychology and Sociology) from Loyola University of Chicago and a Masters in Business Administration (E-Business concentration) from DePaul University, Chicago. Her past experiences include working for Rotary International and EDS.

What skills have helped you in your career?
Not only I have the Business background, but have the IT certifications (Microsoft, Cisco, etc.) to go hand in hand with it. In addition, my Psychology and Sociology education has helped me with building and maintaining strong relationships with my colleagues and Managers, while helping me create network of mentors.

What do you wish you had known or done differently throughout your career?
I wish I would’ve identified someone in my field to partner up with earlier in my career. Mentors are very important as I have realized, and having that right guidance really can make a huge difference in where you end up. Better late than never though, always surround yourself with folks that represent where you would like to be.

What do you do for continuing education and improvement?
Keeping up to date with project methodologies and attend seminars and forums for project managers. A member of the PMI network that allows me to network with other professionals in the area.

What is next for you in your career?
Leading a team of project managers and/or leading a team of IT professionals (Developers, QAs and PMs) in delivery of IT projects.

What advice would you offer to others?
Keep updating your skills. Always challenge yourself with new training and/or new roles. Never stop learning. Also, align yourself with a mentor or mentor(s) professionally, this relationship helps you create a brand for yourself and at the same time gives you champions around you who support and promote your skills.

Areas where you can help other Ismailis:
• Mentorship
• Networking
• Career development and planning in IT and Project Management

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

Adiba Karimi

IPN Spotlight: Adiba Karimi (Care Manager, Independence Care System)

Adiba grew up in Khorog, Tajikistan. She currently works as a Care Manager at the Independence Care System, Medicaid Health Plan. She has a Master’s of Social Work from Columbia University in New York and a Bachelors degree in Linguistics from Khorog State University. Her previous professional experience includes positions at UNICEF Health and Education Programs, AKDN AKF Health Education Program, ACTED Hygiene Program and Project Hope. Adiba has experience in management and working with non-profits.
Her seva work started in 1995 when Mawlana Hazir Imam for the first time visited Tajikistan. Currently she serves as a member of the National Council developing strategies for IFF (Inter Faith Families) and murids from Afghanistan, Iran, Syria and Tajikistan (AIST).

What skills have helped you in your career?
• Speaking Russian, Tajik, Farsi and English
• Teamwork
• Problem solving
• Using ethics in my work

What do you wish you had known or done differently throughout your career?
Internationally managing health centers

What do you do for continuing education and improvement?
Every single day is learning process for me, reading books, conversation with others, learning from my colleagues. Thinking of pursuing PhD

What advice would you offer to others?
I would quote Mawlana Sultan Muhammadshah (Salawat) “Life will have many disappointments. If one fifth of one’s hopes is realized one is extremely lucky and fortunate, so do not be discourages by disappointments.”

Areas where you can help other Ismailis:
• Remember you are unique as a human being and you can bring unique skills and ideas to bring changes and improvements
• Do not be afraid to make mistakes or fail
• Treat every single employee with dignity, be it your boss or the cleaner, or the security

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

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Spotlight

Purnur Ilolova

IPN Spotlight: Purnur Ilolova (Program Manager, Office of International Development at Indiana University Bloomington)

Purnur Ilolova received her Specialist Diploma in Finance and Credit from Technological University of Tajikistan and her Bachelor of Science in Public Affairs from Indiana University’s School of Public and Environmental Affairs. Prior to assuming her role as Program Manager with the Office of International Development, Purnur served as the Oncology Unit Coordinator of Indiana University Health – Bloomington Hospital, and as the Finance Department Assistant at the Aga Khan Foundation, USA. A world traveler, she is consistently looking for opportunities to contribute to building reliable institutions, and cultivating active civil society in order to improve the quality of life in developing and developed countries. Purnur currently holds a Program Manager position with the Office of International Development within Indiana University, manages US Department of State funded projects with Mongolia, Italy, Myanmar, Sub Saharan Africa, India and Pakistan.

What skills have helped you in your career?
Regional/Area study expertise

What do you wish you had known or done differently throughout your career?
I wish I had been a bit more flexible and realized that not everything you do has to be so tailored towards your desired career. Oftentimes, some of the experiences that come from taking a risk and going for an opportunity that might seem unrelated or less obvious prove to be the most valuable. At the same time, it’s important to stay focused and to make time to enrich yourself so that you stay fresh and continue to enhance the skills you already have for future opportunities and advancement.

What is next for you in your career?
Graduate school

What do you do for continuing education and improvement?
Read, network and explore

What advice would you offer to others?
Reaching out to people in your circle

Areas where you can help other Ismailis:
• Grad school admission
• Career consult in the same field
• Networking

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

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Spotlight

Farah Mohamed

IPN Spotlight: Farah Mohamed (Managing Editor, The WorldPost at The Huffington Post)

Farah is the Managing Editor of The WorldPost, a partnership between The Huffington Post and the Berggruen Institute focused on global news. Hired to help launch The WorldPost, her role includes running the news and op-ed sections of the website, overseeing coverage and social media promotion of produced content and soliciting and editing features and analysis on a variety of international breaking news stories and trends, including the Syrian conflict, China in Africa, rising Islamophobia and the 2016 U.S. presidential election. Prior to The WorldPost, Farah reported for HuffPost Politics, McClatchy’s Washington Bureau and The Washington Post, where her coverage of young Muslim immigrants following the Boston bombings landed her a Washington Post Metro cover story.

Farah majored in journalism and earned a double minor in international studies and Arabic at American University in Washington, DC. She also lived and studied in Amman, Jordan soon after the beginning of the Arab Spring.

What skills have helped you in your career?
Persistence, passion and perspective. Though not skills by definition, these key traits are what make the difference between working in a job related to your desired career and actually nailing that job. While core skills of my profession have proven key to career advancement, I’ve found that some of the most meaningful and rewarding experiences come from the tough decisions made under pressure.

What do you wish you had known or done differently throughout your career?
I wish I had been a bit more flexible and realized that not everything you do has to be so tailored towards your desired career. Oftentimes, some of the experiences that come from taking a risk and going for an opportunity that might seem unrelated or less obvious prove to be the most valuable. At the same time, it’s important to stay focused and to make time to enrich yourself so that you stay fresh and continue to enhance the skills you already have for future opportunities and advancement.

What is next for you in your career?
Journalism is an interesting field in that it’s always changing and new challenges are always presenting themselves. Today is perhaps one of the most difficult times to be a journalist, but also one of the most important. Increasing worldwide polarization and negativity towards news media only inspire me to continue to hold leaders accountable and make sure the voices and stories of those whose views often go unheard and untold are no longer brushed aside. I’m also very much committed to expanding the way in which media outlets cover world news, be it including more on-the-ground voices, greater country and continent diversity or doing a better job at reporting on Muslims, Islamophobia and terrorism.

What do you do for continuing education and improvement?
I don’t like the term media diet, but I do try to have one. I have a variety of news outlets — newspapers, blogs, online media, cable news — that I check out everyday. I also listen to podcasts, follow other journalists on Twitter, subscribe to daily newsletters and bookmark longer pieces to read later on when I have more time. I think it’s crucial, especially in my field, to be caught up on everything and to know the latest media trend making an impact. I also think it’s useful to try to network with people in your field so that you know what people outside of your office are doing and have a group of people to go to if and when you want to make a change.

What advice would you offer to others?
Don’t be afraid to fail. Don’t be afraid to pursue a career that might appear less traditional or more risky. Don’t settle for something that pays better if you’re not really passionate about it. Don’t be intimidated by competitive or toxic peers and co-workers. Work hard and be resilient and creative. There will be a lot of circumstances in which you’ll find yourself having to fend for yourself without much direction. It’s easy to give up or be cynical in these cases, but figuring out how to fix or solve the situation, even when it seems above you, will give you immense confidence and satisfaction — and your superiors will likely notice.

Areas where you can help other Ismailis:
• Editing/writing advice
• Social media strategies
• Op-ed writing guidance
• Expertise in international affairs, especially in the Middle East

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

Annisa Karim

IPN Spotlight: Annisa Karim (The Conservation Chair on the Board of the Naples Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society)

After completing a Bachelor’s in Wildlife Ecology & Conservation at the University of Florida, Annisa moved to Naples to intern in environmental education and interpretation at the Conservancy of SW FL in Naples, FL. She then helped develop curriculum for the Florida Master Naturalist Program before she received her Master’s in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation from the University of Florida. Annisa moved to Naples and currently works as a biologist for Lee County. Annisa is a Certified Prescribed Burn Manager and a Certified Arborist.

Annisa was appointed by the Board of County Commissioners to the Conservation Collier Land Acquisition Advisory Committee and she served from 2009 to 2012. Additionally, Annisa currently serves as the Conservation Chair on the Board of the Naples Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society. Below are additional facts about Annisa.

Past President of the Collier County Democratic Club
Past 1st Vice President of the Democratic Women’s Club of Collier County
Current Board Member of the American Muslim Democratic Caucus of Florida
Just announced Leave of Absence as Chairwoman of the Collier County Democratic Party to run for County Commissioner. Read more about her campaign.

What skills have helped you in your career?
Strong proficiency in the use of ArcView / ArcMap programs
Good communication skills – being able to explain scientific information to the general public
Strong public speaking skills
Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office – If you can show people how to accomplish a specific task, you become the go-to person

What do you wish you had known or done differently throughout your career?
I wish I would have minored in Public Administration because it may have given me a better understanding of government budgeting processes at the municipal level.

What is next for you in your career?
I would like to become a manager within the Department of Parks and Recreation and pursue an MA in Public Administration.

What do you do for continuing education and improvement?
I participate in prescribed burns and write prescriptions and run the burns on the properties I manage – this helps me to maintain my Certified Burn Manager Status. I also take Arborist Classes to maintain my International Society of Aboriculture certification. Additionally, I take classes on the control and eradication of invasive plants to maintain my Pesticide Applicator’s License.

What advice would you offer to others?
Don’t be afraid to do internships and volunteer with organizations. Learn how policies relating to your field are made and how they affect your job today and in the future.

Areas where you can help other Ismailis:
• Career advice for natural resource protection
• Career advice for environmental education
• Advice on choosing a graduate line of study on natural resource protection

Categories
Spotlight

Riffat Manasia

IPN Spotlight: Riffat Manasia (Executive Director at American Ismaili Chamber of Commerce)

Riffat Manasia is the incoming Executive Director for the American Ismaili Chamber of Commerce (AICC). She is a seasoned professional and an action-oriented entrepreneur with over twelve years of experience in running organizations, leading teams, and managing complex projects in for- and non-profit sectors. Of note, Riffat founded and scaled MRA, a lead research and consulting organization with 600 plus staff nationwide and over $1M monthly turnover in Afghanistan. Raised in Dallas, Riffat has lived and worked in Switzerland, Kenya, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, and has led projects in Syria, India and Nepal. Beyond her native English, Riffat speaks Urdu, Hindi, Gujarati, and basic Dari.
Riffat holds a Bachelor of Science from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and a multi-disciplinary Master in Planning and International Development from Harvard University (Harvard Business School, Kennedy School of Government and Urban Planning).

What skills have helped you in your career?
Grit & resilience.

What do you wish you had known or done differently throughout your career?
Consistently communicated with mentors and advisors throughout various chapters of life. Because of the broad spectrum I’ve worked on, my connections became choppy and my networks disconnected.

What is next for you in your career?
Executive Director, American Ismaili Chamber of Commerce (AICC).

What do you do for continuing education and improvement?
Entrepreneurship, Management, Leadership videos/online casts. Standard readings in journals/magazines. Plus, a healthy dose of regular introspection and self-awareness.

What advice would you offer to others?
Stay true to your passion. Never compromise on your principles. Work hard.

Areas where you can help other Ismailis:
Via Ismaili Chamber:
• Facilitate Business Connections
• Provide a platform to share pertinent knowledge/skills with the broader US Ismaili business community
As an individual:
• Consult/advise on application and integration of Quanti/Quali Research & Methods, Impact Assessments, and Metrics
• Sector expertise in poverty alleviation, security sector, international development, social entrepreneurship, conflict/post-conflict, applied social sciences
• Tough love

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

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Spotlight

Shereen Kassam

IPN Spotlight: Shereen Kassam (Business Development Manager, The Walt Disney Company)

Shereen Kassam is a Business Development Manager at The Walt Disney Company. Previously, she has worked in various roles at JPMorgan, Deloitte, and Amazon. Shereen is also a national touring stand-up comedian whose jokes focus on a multitude of topics, including the misunderstanding of Muslims in America. She won the 2015 Improv Clash of the Comics competition and was invited to perform at The World Series of Comedy in Las Vegas. Shereen received her BA from Brown University and an MBA from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. She currently resides in Orlando, Florida and has a difficult time saying no to Cadbury chocolates, red Starbursts, and spicy chicken wings. You can learn more about her at www.funnybrowngirl.com or follow her on Instagram/Twitter: funnybrowngirl

What skills have helped you in your career?
• Interpersonal skills have played a huge part not only in my corporate career, but also in comedy. I was a shy child growing up and actually discovered my passion for comedy after taking an improvisation class while in consulting, in order to enhance my client communication skills. The class not only launched my comedy career, but it also helped me to land new clients during my time at Amazon
• Managing my time and my energy are crucial as I try to balance a full-time job, comedy, acting classes, auditions, family, and those all-important 8 hours of sleep. I have had to learn say “no”, as well as schedule regular “me” days to refuel and rest
• Goal setting has been influential in my career. I am constantly creating new goals and evaluating my progress towards achieving those goals (both professional and personal)

What do you wish you had known or done differently throughout your career?
I now appreciate that my career path does not need to look like the traditional Wharton career path. Early in my career, I spent a lot of time comparing myself to where my friends were in their professional careers. I am a competitive person and never wanted to feel that I was not as successful. With time, I came to understand that my definition of success might differ from my peers, but at the end of the day, we are all striving to master the natural talents we have been gifted with.

What do you do for continuing education and improvement?
I read as much as I can – I am always scrolling through Flipboard and Twitter. I have tons of Google alerts set up so I do not miss the latest news, trends, and research in my industry. In regards to comedy and acting, it is all about exercising those muscles! I perform at open mics nightly and take acting classes. Recently I have been focusing a lot of time on self-improvement – practicing gratitude, meditating, working out, eating healthy, and sleeping – to stay centered.

What is next for you in your career?
I went to business school with a keen interest in entrepreneurship. I am currently exploring a handful of business models that enable me to merge my love for comedy, and the skills I have enhanced on-stage, with my MBA training and corporate background.

What advice would you offer to others?
I’ll be corny and say, “Don’t be so busy working, you forget to live.”
I was spending so many hours working; I ignored my health, my family and friends, and the activities that brought me joy. Physical exhaustion prompted me to finally take some much-needed time to step back and put my life into perspective. I began to look for a position that would provide me more work-life balance so that I could focus on my passions. Finding that harmony has not only allowed me to pursue comedy and acting, but also find purpose in my life.
I would also say, be bold in your pursuits no matter what those around you may say.

Areas where you can help other Ismailis:
• Goal setting
• MBA Admission
• General mentoring

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