Experience

Insaan Group

• United States
• Philanthropic Fundraising Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Founder & CEO

  • Jun 2007 - Present

  Insaan invests in solutions to poverty. Our mission is to unleash the power of catalytic capital to change the lives of many, for better, for good. Together with our funders and ventures, we have improved the lives of over 1,000,000 patients, artisans, farmers, shop owners, and students living in the world's most underserved communities. Our current goal: improving 10,000,000 lives. Focused on growth and collaboration opportunities with like-minded entities. Responsible for the… Show more Insaan invests in solutions to poverty. Our mission is to unleash the power of catalytic capital to change the lives of many, for better, for good. Together with our funders and ventures, we have improved the lives of over 1,000,000 patients, artisans, farmers, shop owners, and students living in the world's most underserved communities. Our current goal: improving 10,000,000 lives. Focused on growth and collaboration opportunities with like-minded entities. Responsible for the vision, strategy, marketing, legal registration, financing, fund-raising, pipeline and team building of Insaan. Raised start-up funding for launching the Insaan Group in part from The Pierre and Pamela Omidyar Fund (founder of eBay). Built a team of some 20 people and secured multiple pro bono partnerships to execute a portfolio of some ten impact investments in India, Kenya, Madagascar, and Tanzania. Serving on the Board of all Insaan investees as an observer or advisor. Launched Impact Footprint to scale Insaan's impact: https://impactfootprint.org/. Show less Insaan invests in solutions to poverty. Our mission is to unleash the power of catalytic capital to change the lives of many, for better, for good. Together with our funders and ventures, we have improved the lives of over 1,000,000 patients, artisans, farmers, shop owners, and students living in the world's most underserved communities. Our current goal: improving 10,000,000 lives. Focused on growth and collaboration opportunities with like-minded entities. Responsible for the… Show more Insaan invests in solutions to poverty. Our mission is to unleash the power of catalytic capital to change the lives of many, for better, for good. Together with our funders and ventures, we have improved the lives of over 1,000,000 patients, artisans, farmers, shop owners, and students living in the world's most underserved communities. Our current goal: improving 10,000,000 lives. Focused on growth and collaboration opportunities with like-minded entities. Responsible for the vision, strategy, marketing, legal registration, financing, fund-raising, pipeline and team building of Insaan. Raised start-up funding for launching the Insaan Group in part from The Pierre and Pamela Omidyar Fund (founder of eBay). Built a team of some 20 people and secured multiple pro bono partnerships to execute a portfolio of some ten impact investments in India, Kenya, Madagascar, and Tanzania. Serving on the Board of all Insaan investees as an observer or advisor. Launched Impact Footprint to scale Insaan's impact: https://impactfootprint.org/. Show less



GOODFOLIO

• United Kingdom
• Technology, Information and Internet
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Chief Impact Officer

  • Jan 2022 - May 2023

  Developed the overarching stakeholder engagement strategy and narrative, in alignment with GOODFOLIO's mission. Advised on and researched regulations, frameworks, and metrics to assess companies on a social and environmental basis. Researched impact themes and products across public and private markets to inform product development. Developed the overarching stakeholder engagement strategy and narrative, in alignment with GOODFOLIO's mission. Advised on and researched regulations, frameworks, and metrics to assess companies on a social and environmental basis. Researched impact themes and products across public and private markets to inform product development.



Zayed University

• United Arab Emirates
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Faculty

  • Sep 2011 - Aug 2019

  Joined the College of Humanities and Social Sciences as Adjunct Faculty in September 2011. Promoted in February 2012 as Full-Time Faculty in the Inter-disciplinary Studies Department, University College. Responsible for a full workload of Global Awareness classes drawing from history, geography, political science, humanities and philosophy. Courses taught include: Ancient Civilizations (Greece, Rome, India, China); Twentieth Century; Human Geography; a global history course entitled… Show more Joined the College of Humanities and Social Sciences as Adjunct Faculty in September 2011. Promoted in February 2012 as Full-Time Faculty in the Inter-disciplinary Studies Department, University College. Responsible for a full workload of Global Awareness classes drawing from history, geography, political science, humanities and philosophy. Courses taught include: Ancient Civilizations (Greece, Rome, India, China); Twentieth Century; Human Geography; a global history course entitled Encounters: People, Places and Traditions; and Methods of Scientific Research. Conceived, designed and taught the very first class on social entrepreneurship at the College of Business, Zayed University, entitled Be a Social Entrepreneur, and taught Innovation and Entrepreneurship - a course developed by Stanford University. Show less Joined the College of Humanities and Social Sciences as Adjunct Faculty in September 2011. Promoted in February 2012 as Full-Time Faculty in the Inter-disciplinary Studies Department, University College. Responsible for a full workload of Global Awareness classes drawing from history, geography, political science, humanities and philosophy. Courses taught include: Ancient Civilizations (Greece, Rome, India, China); Twentieth Century; Human Geography; a global history course entitled… Show more Joined the College of Humanities and Social Sciences as Adjunct Faculty in September 2011. Promoted in February 2012 as Full-Time Faculty in the Inter-disciplinary Studies Department, University College. Responsible for a full workload of Global Awareness classes drawing from history, geography, political science, humanities and philosophy. Courses taught include: Ancient Civilizations (Greece, Rome, India, China); Twentieth Century; Human Geography; a global history course entitled Encounters: People, Places and Traditions; and Methods of Scientific Research. Conceived, designed and taught the very first class on social entrepreneurship at the College of Business, Zayed University, entitled Be a Social Entrepreneur, and taught Innovation and Entrepreneurship - a course developed by Stanford University. Show less



The World Bank

• United States
• International Trade and Development
• 700 & Above Employee

• Consultant

  • Oct 2010 - Jan 2011

  Conducted a funding scan of social and other investors in the micro-finance space in the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region. Conducted a funding scan of social and other investors in the micro-finance space in the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region.



ODI

• United Kingdom
• Think Tanks
• 200 - 300 Employee

• Researcher - Lecturer

  • Jul 2005 - Mar 2006

  Overseas Development Institute, Humanitarian Policy Group (UK) & Centre for International Cooperation (NYU) Research Manager on Afghanistan for a global study entitled: ‘Providing Aid in Insecure Environments: Trends in Policy and Operations’. HPG Report 23, September 2006. https://cdn.odi.org/media/documents/269.pdf ACTED (Agence d’aide à la coopération technique et au développement) Development Consultant to explore fund-raising strategy in the US and legal options and… Show more Overseas Development Institute, Humanitarian Policy Group (UK) & Centre for International Cooperation (NYU) Research Manager on Afghanistan for a global study entitled: ‘Providing Aid in Insecure Environments: Trends in Policy and Operations’. HPG Report 23, September 2006. https://cdn.odi.org/media/documents/269.pdf ACTED (Agence d’aide à la coopération technique et au développement) Development Consultant to explore fund-raising strategy in the US and legal options and operational implications for opening a US branch for this global, Paris-based non-profit. School of International and Public Affairs/Columbia University Guest Lecturer: ‘The Evolution of Afghanistan toward Statehood: A Personal and Field-based Account’. New York, 1 December 2005. United Nations Development Programme / United Nations Peacebuilding Unit Guest Lecturer: ‘The Challenges of Local Governance in Post-Conflict Countries. Focusing on the National Solidarity Programme’. New York, 2 December 2005 Show less Overseas Development Institute, Humanitarian Policy Group (UK) & Centre for International Cooperation (NYU) Research Manager on Afghanistan for a global study entitled: ‘Providing Aid in Insecure Environments: Trends in Policy and Operations’. HPG Report 23, September 2006. https://cdn.odi.org/media/documents/269.pdf ACTED (Agence d’aide à la coopération technique et au développement) Development Consultant to explore fund-raising strategy in the US and legal options and… Show more Overseas Development Institute, Humanitarian Policy Group (UK) & Centre for International Cooperation (NYU) Research Manager on Afghanistan for a global study entitled: ‘Providing Aid in Insecure Environments: Trends in Policy and Operations’. HPG Report 23, September 2006. https://cdn.odi.org/media/documents/269.pdf ACTED (Agence d’aide à la coopération technique et au développement) Development Consultant to explore fund-raising strategy in the US and legal options and operational implications for opening a US branch for this global, Paris-based non-profit. School of International and Public Affairs/Columbia University Guest Lecturer: ‘The Evolution of Afghanistan toward Statehood: A Personal and Field-based Account’. New York, 1 December 2005. United Nations Development Programme / United Nations Peacebuilding Unit Guest Lecturer: ‘The Challenges of Local Governance in Post-Conflict Countries. Focusing on the National Solidarity Programme’. New York, 2 December 2005 Show less



Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH

• Germany
• International Trade and Development
• 700 & Above Employee

• Co-Manager of Facilitating Partners and Special Assistant to the Team Leader

  • Sep 2004 - Feb 2005

  Co-responsible for the contractual development, monitoring of and support to 22 NGOs and UN agencies operating throughout Afghanistan as implementing/facilitating partners of the National Solidarity Programme (NSP) – Afghanistan’s largest rural development program. In close collaboration with the Team Leader, in charge of liaising with Afghanistan’s Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development (MRRD), the World Bank and all external stakeholders for the programs’ development and the… Show more Co-responsible for the contractual development, monitoring of and support to 22 NGOs and UN agencies operating throughout Afghanistan as implementing/facilitating partners of the National Solidarity Programme (NSP) – Afghanistan’s largest rural development program. In close collaboration with the Team Leader, in charge of liaising with Afghanistan’s Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development (MRRD), the World Bank and all external stakeholders for the programs’ development and the creation of potential synergies with various national initiatives as part of the Ministry’s overall strategy development. Initiated the restructuring of reporting, finance and monitoring systems of Facilitating Partners within the GTZ Oversight Consultant office for higher performance and service delivery of the program. Show less Co-responsible for the contractual development, monitoring of and support to 22 NGOs and UN agencies operating throughout Afghanistan as implementing/facilitating partners of the National Solidarity Programme (NSP) – Afghanistan’s largest rural development program. In close collaboration with the Team Leader, in charge of liaising with Afghanistan’s Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development (MRRD), the World Bank and all external stakeholders for the programs’ development and the… Show more Co-responsible for the contractual development, monitoring of and support to 22 NGOs and UN agencies operating throughout Afghanistan as implementing/facilitating partners of the National Solidarity Programme (NSP) – Afghanistan’s largest rural development program. In close collaboration with the Team Leader, in charge of liaising with Afghanistan’s Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development (MRRD), the World Bank and all external stakeholders for the programs’ development and the creation of potential synergies with various national initiatives as part of the Ministry’s overall strategy development. Initiated the restructuring of reporting, finance and monitoring systems of Facilitating Partners within the GTZ Oversight Consultant office for higher performance and service delivery of the program. Show less



Acted

• France
• Non-profit Organizations
• 700 & Above Employee

• Country Director, Afghanistan

  • Aug 2002 - Jul 2004

  Responsible for all external relations with institutional donors, Afghan Ministries, the media and civil society stakeholders, including fund-raising and strategic direction of the Afghanistan operation. Managed close to 1,000 Afghan staff and some 20 expatriates. Ensured the transition from emergency interventions to development programs in a challenging and volatile macro-environment. Conceptualized, designed, lobbied for and operationalized three major multi-year development programs… Show more Responsible for all external relations with institutional donors, Afghan Ministries, the media and civil society stakeholders, including fund-raising and strategic direction of the Afghanistan operation. Managed close to 1,000 Afghan staff and some 20 expatriates. Ensured the transition from emergency interventions to development programs in a challenging and volatile macro-environment. Conceptualized, designed, lobbied for and operationalized three major multi-year development programs amounting to some US$ 15 million, including the National Solidarity Programme, the USAID-funded Rebuilding Agricultural Markets Program and the first World-Bank funded micro-finance program for Afghanistan. Built and/or strengthened new programmatic departments in community mobilization, agriculture and infrastructure. Initiated the design and implementation of a long-term strategy promoting public-private partnerships for the support of private sector growth in Afghanistan. Redesigned the human resources system, strengthened the logistics and security structures, and together with a team from HQ, reinforced the financial management and audit procedures of the agency.

• Assistant Country Director and Head of Reporting and Public Information, Afghanistan

  • Sep 2002 - Mar 2003

  Organized, designed, led and institutionalized quarterly strategic meetings. Designed a communication structure from the field level to Kabul and HQ for effective program monitoring. Redrafted the human resources manual in order to set up a performance-based system and culture for 1,000 Afghan staff. The new system has been replicated in other ACTED countries of operation. Together with Country Director, managed the external relations and management issues of high visibility… Show more Organized, designed, led and institutionalized quarterly strategic meetings. Designed a communication structure from the field level to Kabul and HQ for effective program monitoring. Redrafted the human resources manual in order to set up a performance-based system and culture for 1,000 Afghan staff. The new system has been replicated in other ACTED countries of operation. Together with Country Director, managed the external relations and management issues of high visibility projects. As Head of Reporting: Recruited and managed a team of 10 reporting officers, both expatriate and Afghan staff. Established a system for timely and effective reporting and proposal writing. Set up monitoring and evaluation tools for existing programs. Organized and led donor visits, as well as conceived and designed promotional materials and communication tools, including public awareness campaigns linked to key projects.



United Nations

• International Affairs
• 700 & Above Employee

• Information, Education and Communications (IEC) Officer

  • Jul 1997 - Mar 1999

  Conceived, implemented and co-coordinated various community-based IEC projects in Afghanistan, such as literacy, radio and non-formal education projects, to strengthen communities’ knowledge base in rural areas (i.e. Qandahar, Farah, Herat, Bamyan, Badakhshan). Conceived and organized various trainings and study tours primarily for the benefit of Afghan staff, in the field of IEC, gender, environment and rural development (including in Northern Pakistan). Devised an internal information… Show more Conceived, implemented and co-coordinated various community-based IEC projects in Afghanistan, such as literacy, radio and non-formal education projects, to strengthen communities’ knowledge base in rural areas (i.e. Qandahar, Farah, Herat, Bamyan, Badakhshan). Conceived and organized various trainings and study tours primarily for the benefit of Afghan staff, in the field of IEC, gender, environment and rural development (including in Northern Pakistan). Devised an internal information system to improve inter and intra-agency co-ordination, through the use of Internet and the publication of monthly, quarterly and annual reports. Submitted regular contributions to various publications for Afghans, for the aid and donor community (in Aina, UN magazine) and conceived a promotional video on the UN’s work in Afghanistan (The Story of Nazar Village, Qandahar, UNOPS, 1998). Drafted several policy papers on the formation of community organisations and on program evaluation in collaboration with a team of Afghan colleagues. Core member of the UN Gender Coordination Unit. Drafted a key discussion paper entitled The UN, Gender and Human Rights in Afghanistan: The Case of the Mahram Edict, March 1999. Show less Conceived, implemented and co-coordinated various community-based IEC projects in Afghanistan, such as literacy, radio and non-formal education projects, to strengthen communities’ knowledge base in rural areas (i.e. Qandahar, Farah, Herat, Bamyan, Badakhshan). Conceived and organized various trainings and study tours primarily for the benefit of Afghan staff, in the field of IEC, gender, environment and rural development (including in Northern Pakistan). Devised an internal information… Show more Conceived, implemented and co-coordinated various community-based IEC projects in Afghanistan, such as literacy, radio and non-formal education projects, to strengthen communities’ knowledge base in rural areas (i.e. Qandahar, Farah, Herat, Bamyan, Badakhshan). Conceived and organized various trainings and study tours primarily for the benefit of Afghan staff, in the field of IEC, gender, environment and rural development (including in Northern Pakistan). Devised an internal information system to improve inter and intra-agency co-ordination, through the use of Internet and the publication of monthly, quarterly and annual reports. Submitted regular contributions to various publications for Afghans, for the aid and donor community (in Aina, UN magazine) and conceived a promotional video on the UN’s work in Afghanistan (The Story of Nazar Village, Qandahar, UNOPS, 1998). Drafted several policy papers on the formation of community organisations and on program evaluation in collaboration with a team of Afghan colleagues. Core member of the UN Gender Coordination Unit. Drafted a key discussion paper entitled The UN, Gender and Human Rights in Afghanistan: The Case of the Mahram Edict, March 1999. Show less



OSCE

• Austria
• International Affairs
• 700 & Above Employee

• Electoral Supervisor

  • Aug 1996 - Sep 1996

  Responsible for building understanding of free and fair elections, and for the supervision of three polling stations on election day as part of an international and local team. Responsible for building understanding of free and fair elections, and for the supervision of three polling stations on election day as part of an international and local team.