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PILLARS4HUMANITY EXECUTIVE STAFF
Nila Latif
Chief Executive Officer
At a young age, Nila was displaced from her native country of Afghanistan and resettled in Springfield, Virginia. As a refugee herself, she understands the struggle and impact of war and the challenges that comes with. This early experience helped shape her commitment to service in her life.
She holds a B.A. in International Relations for George Mason University and an M.A. in Human Resources Management from the Marymount University. She brings 20 years of human resources, management, project management, and operation spanning in private, federal government, and nonprofits sector.
In 2005, Nila decided to go back Afghanistan and service as on ground Human Resources Manager with MPRI/L3 Communications. While perusing her professional career, she used the opportunity to work as a volunteer with the Caplan’s office on the military base to distribute donations to children, worked other NGOs to help build schools, and support an orphanage.
Upon her return to U.S she continued to volunteer with various organizations.
Since August 2021, Nila has been a Lead for Virginia Council of Muslim Organizations (VMCO) umbrella organization of all Virginia muslim organizations task force for Operation Welcome Allies serving as the face of the organization. She is also the co-creator of Afghan Refugee Crisis Committee (ARCC) umbrella group of all Afghan-American organizations supporting the Afghan refugees. Working with Governor Markell, and Governor Northam office to help with policy and laws effecting Afghan refugees. As a lead for Virginia Council of Muslim Organization task force for Unaccompanied Minors and working closely with LSSNCA, LIRS, Commonwealth Catholic Charities, Office of Refugee Resettlement, Office of New Americans, State of Virginia, and Department of Health and Human Services representatives. She has helped Develop and strengthen partnerships with key stakeholders and constituencies including other non-profit, clients, veteran organizations, government agencies, donors, politicians, educational institutions, and other community services. Supporting State Department, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Refugee Resettlement, Expo Center, Dulles Airport, and 8 US Military bases hosting Afghan Refugees with donations, translation services, cultural advising, educational information, mental health, medical, and additional supported as needed. She has also led the pilot programs for Surge Support and Unaccompanied Minors for the Resettlement Agencies, State Department (PRM), and Office Refugee Resettlement (ORR).
At a young age, Nila was displaced from her native country of Afghanistan and resettled in Springfield, Virginia. As a refugee herself, she understands the struggle and impact of war and the challenges that comes with. This early experience helped shape her commitment to service in her life.
She holds a B.A. in International Relations for George Mason University and an M.A. in Human Resources Management from the Marymount University. She brings 20 years of human resources, management, project management, and operation spanning in private, federal government, and nonprofits sector.
In 2005, Nila decided to go back Afghanistan and service as on ground Human Resources Manager with MPRI/L3 Communications. While perusing her professional career, she used the opportunity to work as a volunteer with the Caplan’s office on the military base to distribute donations to children, worked other NGOs to help build schools, and support an orphanage.
Upon her return to U.S she continued to volunteer with various organizations.
Since August 2021, Nila has been a Lead for Virginia Council of Muslim Organizations (VMCO) umbrella organization of all Virginia muslim organizations task force for Operation Welcome Allies serving as the face of the organization. She is also the co-creator of Afghan Refugee Crisis Committee (ARCC) umbrella group of all Afghan-American organizations supporting the Afghan refugees. Working with Governor Markell, and Governor Northam office to help with policy and laws effecting Afghan refugees. As a lead for Virginia Council of Muslim Organization task force for Unaccompanied Minors and working closely with LSSNCA, LIRS, Commonwealth Catholic Charities, Office of Refugee Resettlement, Office of New Americans, State of Virginia, and Department of Health and Human Services representatives. She has helped Develop and strengthen partnerships with key stakeholders and constituencies including other non-profit, clients, veteran organizations, government agencies, donors, politicians, educational institutions, and other community services. Supporting State Department, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Refugee Resettlement, Expo Center, Dulles Airport, and 8 US Military bases hosting Afghan Refugees with donations, translation services, cultural advising, educational information, mental health, medical, and additional supported as needed. She has also led the pilot programs for Surge Support and Unaccompanied Minors for the Resettlement Agencies, State Department (PRM), and Office Refugee Resettlement (ORR).
Mariam Kakar
Chief Operating Officer
Mariam Kakar’s career in activism began from an early age following her immigration to the United States from Afghanistan. First serving as an immigration paralegal for several years, she discovered her passion for helping the neediest of populations and decided to return to school to become a Special Needs teacher. Upon graduation, Mariam worked as a Special Education teacher across a number of Title 1 schools and later became an independent SPED Curriculum Consultant. While working with PWC Schools, she volunteered to assist newly arrived Afghan families within the system to help them navigate the school system as well as teacher, student, and parent communication.
Following the fall of Kabul in 2021, Mariam began volunteering at Quantico Base Camp Upshur to work with Afghan refugees. In August of that year, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops at Quantico hired her to build an English/American Life Skills curriculum for the evacuees. At the same time, she also worked with the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants as a Mental Health Case Manager at Quantico. Throughout her time at Quantico, Mariam conducted several large fundraising efforts for Winter clothing drives for Afghan Refugees being hosted in the 8 Military Bases across the US.
Mariam commenced the Women for Afghan Women Community Center located in Alexandria from the ground up, serving as the Program Manager. As the Program Manager, she managed a 900+ client caseload, built a curriculum focused on life skills based on English literacy for the newly arrived refugees, managed Asylum Clinics and supported various projects and programs while collaborating with other Community Organizations. Mariam holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and Curriculum and is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership and Communication from Arkansas State University. She also serves as an active Board member for Komak Rasan. Mariam developed partnerships with key stakeholders and constituencies such as government agencies, clients, donors, politicians, non-profit organizations, and educational institutions.
Her greatest passion is serving as an advocate for refugees and women’s empowerment. Her work has been instrumental in growing her love and interest in human rights issues, humanitarian policies, and social inequalities. With a comprehensive understanding of different global issues integrating human rights with gender and culture, she strives to promote equal rights and social inclusion through her work with Pillars 4 Humanity.
Mariam is the Co-Founder/ COO for Pillars 4 Humanity, a non-profit, 501(c)3, whose mission is to advocate, empower, and promote the integration of asylum seekers and refugees.
Mariam Kakar’s career in activism began from an early age following her immigration to the United States from Afghanistan. First serving as an immigration paralegal for several years, she discovered her passion for helping the neediest of populations and decided to return to school to become a Special Needs teacher. Upon graduation, Mariam worked as a Special Education teacher across a number of Title 1 schools and later became an independent SPED Curriculum Consultant. While working with PWC Schools, she volunteered to assist newly arrived Afghan families within the system to help them navigate the school system as well as teacher, student, and parent communication.
Following the fall of Kabul in 2021, Mariam began volunteering at Quantico Base Camp Upshur to work with Afghan refugees. In August of that year, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops at Quantico hired her to build an English/American Life Skills curriculum for the evacuees. At the same time, she also worked with the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants as a Mental Health Case Manager at Quantico. Throughout her time at Quantico, Mariam conducted several large fundraising efforts for Winter clothing drives for Afghan Refugees being hosted in the 8 Military Bases across the US.
Mariam commenced the Women for Afghan Women Community Center located in Alexandria from the ground up, serving as the Program Manager. As the Program Manager, she managed a 900+ client caseload, built a curriculum focused on life skills based on English literacy for the newly arrived refugees, managed Asylum Clinics and supported various projects and programs while collaborating with other Community Organizations. Mariam holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and Curriculum and is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership and Communication from Arkansas State University. She also serves as an active Board member for Komak Rasan. Mariam developed partnerships with key stakeholders and constituencies such as government agencies, clients, donors, politicians, non-profit organizations, and educational institutions.
Her greatest passion is serving as an advocate for refugees and women’s empowerment. Her work has been instrumental in growing her love and interest in human rights issues, humanitarian policies, and social inequalities. With a comprehensive understanding of different global issues integrating human rights with gender and culture, she strives to promote equal rights and social inclusion through her work with Pillars 4 Humanity.
Mariam is the Co-Founder/ COO for Pillars 4 Humanity, a non-profit, 501(c)3, whose mission is to advocate, empower, and promote the integration of asylum seekers and refugees.
Nasima Ali
Chief Technology Officer
Nasima feels deeply that organizations can tackle big challenges, such as poverty, illiteracy, homelessness, climate change, and so on. Evidence of this passion for group action lies in her track record of helping individuals organize themselves into social justice entities. Whether the female undergraduates at University of Maryland (1990-93)), or the incredible Muslim refugee resettlement volunteers in Maryland (2022-23), Nasima’s goal was to nurture the collective will to do something meaningful and effective. Besides co-founding MWM, IHSAN, and MD ARCC, she also has started businesses. Sometimes, Nasima’s passion for organizations has also appeared as working within organizations who are agents of change, such as schools (Darul Arqam, AlHuda, PGMA) and nonprofits (DUS, MAV). Along the way, Nasima has garnered much experience in nonprofit startup, structuring, fundraising and operations. She is grateful that her training as a scientist (B.S. & M.S. Biology), and certification as a teacher have given her the skills to generate documentations, proposals, systems and curriculums for these respective causes.
Nasima feels deeply that organizations can tackle big challenges, such as poverty, illiteracy, homelessness, climate change, and so on. Evidence of this passion for group action lies in her track record of helping individuals organize themselves into social justice entities. Whether the female undergraduates at University of Maryland (1990-93)), or the incredible Muslim refugee resettlement volunteers in Maryland (2022-23), Nasima’s goal was to nurture the collective will to do something meaningful and effective. Besides co-founding MWM, IHSAN, and MD ARCC, she also has started businesses. Sometimes, Nasima’s passion for organizations has also appeared as working within organizations who are agents of change, such as schools (Darul Arqam, AlHuda, PGMA) and nonprofits (DUS, MAV). Along the way, Nasima has garnered much experience in nonprofit startup, structuring, fundraising and operations. She is grateful that her training as a scientist (B.S. & M.S. Biology), and certification as a teacher have given her the skills to generate documentations, proposals, systems and curriculums for these respective causes.
DIRECTORS
PILLARS 4 HUMANITY
Safiullah Delawar
Director,
Community Relations
Safiullah Delawar is a highly accomplished professional with a remarkable track record of more than 13 years in the fields of governance, law, human rights, communications, and management.
Mr. Delawar currently Works as an asylum specialist in React D.C. and holds two master's degrees, one in International Relations from Kabul University and another in Political Science from IGNOU – New Delhi, India. In addition, he is a linguist, fluent in English, Pashto, Urdu, and Persian, and speaks fair Arabic.
His illustrious career includes working as a Project Manager - Activity Coordinator at Lutheran Social Services National Capital Area LSSNCA. Moreover, he cooperated Afghan Refuge Crises Committee ARCC in the HR-related issues.
In his previous role as Diplomat - Economic Counselor and Consul at the Embassy of Afghanistan in Washington, D.C., Mr. Delawar arranged events to promote the Afghan economy and trade with the Americans and other global institutions based in the USA.
Prior to this, he worked as the Foreign Policy Coordinator at the Office of the Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Afghanistan, where he coordinated and cooperated in drawing the foreign policy of lines with other DGs in MoFA. Moreover, he worked as the Director of reporting to international conventions at the DG of Human Rights and Women's International Affairs at MOFA in Afghanistan.
In his previous role as Second Secretary (Cultural and Education) at the Embassy of Afghanistan in New Delhi, Mr. Delawar oversaw various cultural and educational programs.
Besides his Management and diplomatic career Mr. Delawar has worked as a Software development engineer in tests in many prestigious companies.
Community Relations
Safiullah Delawar is a highly accomplished professional with a remarkable track record of more than 13 years in the fields of governance, law, human rights, communications, and management.
Mr. Delawar currently Works as an asylum specialist in React D.C. and holds two master's degrees, one in International Relations from Kabul University and another in Political Science from IGNOU – New Delhi, India. In addition, he is a linguist, fluent in English, Pashto, Urdu, and Persian, and speaks fair Arabic.
His illustrious career includes working as a Project Manager - Activity Coordinator at Lutheran Social Services National Capital Area LSSNCA. Moreover, he cooperated Afghan Refuge Crises Committee ARCC in the HR-related issues.
In his previous role as Diplomat - Economic Counselor and Consul at the Embassy of Afghanistan in Washington, D.C., Mr. Delawar arranged events to promote the Afghan economy and trade with the Americans and other global institutions based in the USA.
Prior to this, he worked as the Foreign Policy Coordinator at the Office of the Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Afghanistan, where he coordinated and cooperated in drawing the foreign policy of lines with other DGs in MoFA. Moreover, he worked as the Director of reporting to international conventions at the DG of Human Rights and Women's International Affairs at MOFA in Afghanistan.
In his previous role as Second Secretary (Cultural and Education) at the Embassy of Afghanistan in New Delhi, Mr. Delawar oversaw various cultural and educational programs.
Besides his Management and diplomatic career Mr. Delawar has worked as a Software development engineer in tests in many prestigious companies.
Minoo Tavakoli
Maryland
Afghan Support, Volunteer
In January 2022, the Maryland Afghan Family Support Committee members found each other, and have been working synergistically to fill the gaps in services that the sudden influx created. Here are just a few stories of those MD-AFSC helped [names changed for privacy]:
Late 2022 - Two Afghan refugee children were bullied daily at their Maryland middle school. The girl was having her hijab pulled off, they were both having their lunch dropped into their laps, and they were physically and mentally teased on a daily basis. The situation culminated in an incident where the bullies followed them home, beating and kicking them. The family had exercised as much patience as possible in this ongoing situation, but at this time felt fearful that these perpetrators now knew where they lived. Pillars 4 Humanity volunteers came in with the parents to advocate for some change or resolution from the principal. No solution was given. So then we collaborated with community partners, e.g. the volunteers from MD Afghan Family Support, Adelphi Quakers Meeting, IROC, CAIR, and the resentment agency International Rescue Committee (IRC). This diverse group reached a resolution, and among the solutions was that IRC would help to transport the children to a new school for the rest of the school year.
Second Story - At the same school, two children from another Afghan family were actually attacked so badly that they had to be transferred to the hospital for medical attention. This entire family was relocated by the IRC, again with the input of our Pillars 4 Humanity volunteer staff (Nasima and Minoo), and those of the IROC, Muslim Family Center, and others. Volunteers moved the family, located the closest mosque, found neighbors who spoke their language, and in general helped them escape a bad situation.
Third Story - Aisha is a single mother with four children. She was only able to be evacuated with her younger brother for support. The young man was registered in a public high school for the continuation of his education. However, Aisha desperately needed income. So this Pillars4Humanity case manager (Minoo T) was able to convince a franchise owner to hire her for at least part-time. Beyond that, Minoo was able to get Aisha enrolled in The Washington program, which will give her workplace training in addition to ESL instruction. In addition, Minoo helped pay off Aisha’s overdue rent of $5,000 by facilitating her application to two local mosques for charity. Aisha looks forward to starting her own cake-decorating business and will be more free to do so when her parents arrive from Afghanistan.
Afghan Support, Volunteer
In January 2022, the Maryland Afghan Family Support Committee members found each other, and have been working synergistically to fill the gaps in services that the sudden influx created. Here are just a few stories of those MD-AFSC helped [names changed for privacy]:
Late 2022 - Two Afghan refugee children were bullied daily at their Maryland middle school. The girl was having her hijab pulled off, they were both having their lunch dropped into their laps, and they were physically and mentally teased on a daily basis. The situation culminated in an incident where the bullies followed them home, beating and kicking them. The family had exercised as much patience as possible in this ongoing situation, but at this time felt fearful that these perpetrators now knew where they lived. Pillars 4 Humanity volunteers came in with the parents to advocate for some change or resolution from the principal. No solution was given. So then we collaborated with community partners, e.g. the volunteers from MD Afghan Family Support, Adelphi Quakers Meeting, IROC, CAIR, and the resentment agency International Rescue Committee (IRC). This diverse group reached a resolution, and among the solutions was that IRC would help to transport the children to a new school for the rest of the school year.
Second Story - At the same school, two children from another Afghan family were actually attacked so badly that they had to be transferred to the hospital for medical attention. This entire family was relocated by the IRC, again with the input of our Pillars 4 Humanity volunteer staff (Nasima and Minoo), and those of the IROC, Muslim Family Center, and others. Volunteers moved the family, located the closest mosque, found neighbors who spoke their language, and in general helped them escape a bad situation.
Third Story - Aisha is a single mother with four children. She was only able to be evacuated with her younger brother for support. The young man was registered in a public high school for the continuation of his education. However, Aisha desperately needed income. So this Pillars4Humanity case manager (Minoo T) was able to convince a franchise owner to hire her for at least part-time. Beyond that, Minoo was able to get Aisha enrolled in The Washington program, which will give her workplace training in addition to ESL instruction. In addition, Minoo helped pay off Aisha’s overdue rent of $5,000 by facilitating her application to two local mosques for charity. Aisha looks forward to starting her own cake-decorating business and will be more free to do so when her parents arrive from Afghanistan.
Sami Ahmed
Director, Fundraising
Abdul Sami has more than 16 years of project management experience. His skills include supervising and managing staff, project implementation, advocacy and lobbying, developing strategic and management goals and workplans, and grants oversight. He previously held positions under USAID and USAID Funded programs, including, Immigration Program Director, Regional Director, Project Implementation Manager, Project Manager, Provincial Coordinator, Activity Development Officer, Regional Support Officer, Program Officer and project officer, where he implemented programs focused on Resettlement, Culture and Integration, child protection, education, reintegration & demobilization, stabilization, gender-based violence, women in peace process, women's political participation, women's empowerment and good governance. Sami holds a B.A from Takhar University, Afghanistan, faculty of agronomy - Department of Agriculture.
Abdul Sami has more than 16 years of project management experience. His skills include supervising and managing staff, project implementation, advocacy and lobbying, developing strategic and management goals and workplans, and grants oversight. He previously held positions under USAID and USAID Funded programs, including, Immigration Program Director, Regional Director, Project Implementation Manager, Project Manager, Provincial Coordinator, Activity Development Officer, Regional Support Officer, Program Officer and project officer, where he implemented programs focused on Resettlement, Culture and Integration, child protection, education, reintegration & demobilization, stabilization, gender-based violence, women in peace process, women's political participation, women's empowerment and good governance. Sami holds a B.A from Takhar University, Afghanistan, faculty of agronomy - Department of Agriculture.
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