Program Manager Shaista Amani, an Afghan immigrant, brings boundless energy and key skills to her role at the Afghan American Alliance of Georgia (AAAGA). With a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Kabul, Amani began her career with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in Kabul, where she managed a mentorship program to empower women seeking employment. Fluent in English, Dari, Pashto, and Urdu, Amani moved to Atlanta in 2017 with her husband, who had worked with the American military. Despite initial challenges, she quickly adapted, leveraging her language skills and community support. Amani's commitment to helping others led her to a role with the Refugee Women’s Network as a Social Adjustment and Leadership Program Manager. In May 2023, she joined AAAGA, where she focuses on securing grants, expanding services, and building partnerships to support newly arrived Afghan families. Her initiatives include adding staff, offering workshops, and collaborating with Georgia State University for ESL classes. Amani's leadership and dedication are vital to AAAGA’s mission of assisting Afghan refugees in becoming well-adjusted members of the Atlanta community.

Ahmad Farid Sultani is a seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience working with international organizations such as USAID, the European Union, and Global Rights. His extensive career includes roles such as Team Leader for capacity building in judicial and non-governmental sectors, Defense Attorney with the Afghanistan Independent Bar Association, and Legal In Charge at the Afghanistan Telecommunication Regulatory Authority. Ahmad has also advised the Parliament of Afghanistan and the Ministry of Education. He holds a Master's Degree in Public Law and is fluent in Farsi/Dari, Pashto, Arabic, English, and Urdu. Ahmad's work has focused on human rights, women's rights, and legislative affairs, showcasing his dedication to justice and legal reform in Afghanistan.

Sheela Poya is an experienced professional with seven years of diverse work experience in sectors including education, cultural awareness, and refugee assistance. She has taught Physics to high school students and advanced cultural awareness among women through USAID Promote Programs. Sheela has also collaborated on employment initiatives for single mothers, established literacy courses for women, and contributed to sewing training programs. Additionally, she has worked with the International Rescue Committee to assist refugees and cooperated with the Refugee Center office. Sheela holds a Bachelor’s degree in Science with a specialization in Physics.

Marzia Rostami, born in Kabul, Afghanistan, moved to Kyrgyzstan to study Liberal Arts and Science in Social Entrepreneurship at the American University of Central Asia. Due to the Taliban regime, she immigrated to the United States in 2023. Marzia has extensive experience in interpretation, project management, and entrepreneurship. She worked as an Interpreter at GDH Government Services LLC and provided translation services for the Girl’s Leadership Program in Clarkston, GA. She also volunteered at Star Educational Society and Blossom Hill Fellowship. As a project operator for FabriCart and Green Bag in Afghanistan and Kyrgyzstan, she analyzed project performance data to identify areas for growth. Marzia is currently enrolled at Georgia State University to continue her education.

Elizabeth is AAAGA’s volunteer social media manager. She enjoys showcasing all of the tremendous efforts of each person and team involved with the Afghan American Alliance of Georgia.

She has a Bachelor of Science in Communication from Kennesaw State University and discovered a love for Public Relations. This foundation showed her the importance of communicating effectively and passionately.

If you have content from an AAAGA event, please share them with her by messaging our socal media accounts or lizdtreadwell@gmail.com.

Hogai Nassery is an Afghan American family physician and the CEO of the AAAGA. Her family immigrated to the United States in 1973, after a coup d'etat in Afghanistan. Her parents sponsored numerous Afghan families who sought refuge in Georgia after the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. Her father strongly believed that the United States was the land of opportunity, and that education was the key to realizing those opportunities. She is married with two sons, and lives in Decatur, Georgia.

Zack Poyan is an Afghan American who left Kabul in 1980, shortly before the start of the Soviet-Afghan War. He is a role model and mentor for young Afghans, having received numerous degrees, including two doctoral degrees, and having served as a professor at several colleges and universities in Georgia. Poyan has worked as a finance administrator with both for-profit and nonprofit entities, and he owns several private early-childhood education schools. He lives in Suwanee, Georgia and has two children.

John Bunting is Principle Senior Lecturer and Director of the Intensive English Program at Georgia State University. His areas of interest include teacher training, language learning for immigrants and refugees, and the use of technology in second language teaching and learning. He also is the director of GSU's Community-Based English program, which focuses on academic preparation for communities with limited resources. Married with two sons, he lives in Tucker, Georgia.

Mustafa Rahman was born in Afghanistan and immigrated to the United States in 1981. He holds an MBA from NYIT and is a veteran technologist, cybersecurity and SaaS entrepreneur. Mr. Rahman has 20+ years’ experience leading technological and cybersecurity projects for extremely sensitive government and financial clients. He lives in Suwanee with his wife and two children.

Mindy Simon has over twenty years of experience with tax-exempt entities. She is an Associate General Counsel and Senior Tax and International Specialist at Emory University, advising on tax, executive compensation, conflicts of interest, international, and corporate matters. Before joining Emory in 2004, she practiced in the tax section of Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP, specializing in federal taxation and tax-exempt organizations. Her previous roles include serving as a Staff Assistant for U.S. Senator Jim Sasser and teaching English in Thailand. Mindy received her BA from Rhodes College and her JD from the University of Tennessee. Mindy has held leadership positions in the legal community, including Chair of the Nonprofit Law Section of the Georgia Bar and President of the Atlanta Chapter of the Georgia Association for Women Lawyers. She is a frequent national speaker and has presented with the National Association of College and University Attorneys and the Pro Bono Partnership of Atlanta. Her awards include the Pro Bono Partnership of Atlanta Volunteer of the Year Award (2013), the Emory University Award of Distinction (2014), and the Emory University Campus Life Awards of Service (2016). Mindy lives in Decatur, Georgia, with her husband and two sons.

Eileen serves as AAAGA's Treasurer. With more than 35 years of experience working as a CFO/COO/consultant to small and mid-sized organizations in varying industries, she brings a breadth of knowledge about accounting, operations, strategy, human resources and administration to AAAGA.

Eileen, a CPA early in her career, earned her undergraduate degree in accounting from Adelphi University and her graduate degree in Organizational Psychology and Leadership from Columbia University. The mother of two daughters, one at GA Tech (GO Jackets!) and one in high school, Eileen lives in the City of Decatur.

Qasim Karimi is an accomplished banking professional with over 15 years of experience. Originally from Kabul, Afghanistan, he migrated to the United States in 2000. Despite facing challenges in Afghanistan, Qasim and his family persevered. Forced to leave Afghanistan due to the Taliban regime, the family sought asylum in the US in 1998. Qasim now serves as the Vice President-Corporate and Institutional Relationship Manager at PNC Bank, assisting businesses with their capital and debt structures. He serves on the economic empowerment board for IRC Atlanta. He is married with a young son and enjoys playing soccer and skydiving.

Nick is a confident and energetic Afghan American leader with a proven track record of building scalable and sustainable organizations with an emphasis on quality, partnerships and culture while maximizing shareholder value. While working with RHA Health Services for 15 years, in various leadership roles, including President and CFO, Nick took RHA through multiple successful exits.

Nick’s diverse skills span from Operations, Finance, Technology, People and Culture, Growth to Debt Management in multiple industries including Health Care, Telecom and Beverage. This dynamic background and experience, with his ability to build and operate in different financing structures consisting of Private Equity and Public, makes Nick an invaluable CEO and leader to spearhead the expansion of Skin & Aesthetics.