OMAR AZIZ, Executive Director

Omar Aziz wears many hats in life. He is an educator, a PhD student, a husband, a father to two daughters and most recently, AACO’s Executive Director–the organization’s first full-time position. Born and raised in Fremont, CA, Aziz is currently settling into his new life in Maryland with his family and embarking on two adventures that both center around the Afghan-American diaspora. Within his PhD program in higher education at George Mason University, Omar is concluding his dissertation research focusing on Afghan-American college students and the intersection between race, ethnicity, and immigration. Simultaneously, Omar begins his post as AACO’s Executive Director with the goal of building a stronger, more engaged, and more cohesive Afghan-American community.

OMAR NOORZAY, Technology Director

Omar was born and raised in Los Angeles, where he has always been surrounded by his extensive Afghan family. His involvement with the Afghan-American community began during his undergraduate years at UCLA when he joined the United Afghan Club. This sparked a growing passion for being an active member in the community, which was further strengthened after attending the first Afghan-American Conference in 2015. Since then, he has been constantly seeking ways to stay involved. In 2018, he took his involvement a step further by designing and developing AACO’s first mobile application for iOS and Android.

In his professional career, Omar combines his passion for innovation and commitment to making a difference as Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer at Weeve, LLC, where he and his team designed the first ever AI chatbot for employee engagement. Omar also serves as a strategic workplace program manager at Amazon, where he leverages his expertise to create workplace strategies that are focused on technology and efficiency in the new work-from-home era.

ALI SAADAT, Operations Director

Ali is a project manager for the Middle Eastern Student Center at UC Riverside. He was born and raised in Southern California to parents who immigrated from Herat, Afghanistan. He is passionate about working in community spaces and providing opportunities for young people from SWANA backgrounds. In his free time, he enjoys being disappointed by the Los Angeles Lakers, Buffalo Bills, and Chelsea FC.

OMID SHABON, Operations Coordinator

Omid, a dynamic professional in the field of Data Engineering, was born on the West Coast and has been a resident of the DMV region throughout his life. Passionate about community engagement, Omid has played multiple roles within the Afghan-American community. Since 2019, he has been an integral part of AACO, initially as a Conference Participant and later on as a Cohort Lead.

In his professional journey, Omid seamlessly blends his passion for innovation with a commitment to making a difference. As the Founder of ITPS (IT Protection Services), he has demonstrated his expertise and dedication in the realm of data protection and innovation. Rooted in Computational Data and Sciences at George Mason University, Omid's distinguished career spans over a decade of impactful contributions, including roles at Apple and the Center For Advanced Defense Studies, where he shaped data strategies. His unwavering commitment to excellence in his career uniquely positions him as he takes on the role of Outreach Coordinator at AACO.

SIAMOEE SHANABI, Operations Coordinator

Siamoee Shahnabi was born in Kabul, Afghanistan, and immigrated to Salt Lake City, Utah, at the age of four. Growing up in a close-knit refugee community of women and children, she developed a deep passion for supporting displaced communities.

Driven by a desire to understand the global forces that shaped her own diaspora, she pursued a bachelor’s degree in Middle East Studies and Religious Studies. She later earned a Master of Public Administration.

Today, Siamoee is an Infrastructure Finance Analyst at HDR, where she specializes in funding and financing strategies for federal, state, and local infrastructure projects in transportation, water, and energy. She lives in Sacramento with her husband and enjoys staying active at the gym, reading, and cooking.

SILGAI MOHMAND, Programming Director

Silgai Mohmand was born and raised in sunny So-Cal where she grew up surrounded by her family. From a young age, she fell in love with everything that it means to be an Afghan, whether that’s our clothes, food, traditions or our resilience. This is her fourth year on the AACO committee, where she serves as a Programming Director.

Professionally, Silgai is a Deputy Public Defender. She is a lawyer who provides legal services to marginalized communities who are unable to afford legal representation in the criminal legal system. She is also one of the co-founders of Muslawmah, an online platform dedicated to empowering and supporting Muslim women in the legal field. Silgai earned her J.D. from Chapman University, Fowler School of Law and received a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from University of California, Irvine. In her free time, she loves to spend time with family and friends, is an avid Bollywood fan, enjoys photography and loves to explore foodie and aesthetic places.

BURHAN GHNEY, Programming Coordinator

Burhan is a tax professional and educator based in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. Originally from the Bay Area in California and raised in the suburbs of Chicago. Burhan’s diverse upbringing in different states has significantly shaped his Afghan-American identity. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Accounting, two master’s degrees—one in Taxation and another in Business Administration—and is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Accounting.

Burhan began his career in public accounting at Ernst & Young, one of the Big 4 accounting firms. He has since transitioned to various corporate tax roles in the private sector and currently serves as a Senior Tax Analyst at 7-Eleven Inc. Alongside his corporate responsibilities, Burhan is passionate about education and teaches accounting at the collegiate level; inspiring the next generation of professionals in the field.

Deeply committed to community engagement, Burhan has attended the Afghan-American Conference since 2022. His dedication to fostering connections within the Afghan-American community reflects his strong desire to give back and support others.

SAMANA GOUHARY, Programming Coordinator

Born and raised in California, Samana has always drawn inspiration from the diversity and vibrancy of her community. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a double minor in African American Studies and Global Public Health at UC Berkeley. It was at Berkeley where she connected with fellow Afghans and found a community that deeply shaped her passions and values.

MARIAM MAHBOB, Programming Coordinator

Mariam was born and raised in New York City. Currently she is a Clinical Trial Manager for Promontory Therapeutics Inc., an early stage biotech focused on developing novel immunogenic therapies in the oncology space.

Previously she has worked in the clinical oncology research space in various capacities at academic research hospitals such as Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and North Shore University Hospital, as well as startup companies, such as TrialSpark. She received a bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience from the University of Pennsylvania and will be pursuing her Master’s in Business Administration from Columbia University this fall where she plans to supplement her science background with the business and entrepreneurial skills needed to grow and lead teams at a big pharma company. 

HELAI KARIM RUTAN, Programming Coordinator

Helai Karim Rutan is an Afghan-American graduate of James Madison University with a Bachelor of Music in Music Education. From Fairfax, Virginia, Helai currently serves as the Choral Director at Lightridge High School in Aldie, Virginia and holds leadership positions with the Virginia Music Educators Association and the American Choral Directors Association.

Helai spent most of her formative years in predominantly white spaces and struggled to settle into her Afghan-American identity. This all changed after her life-changing experience of attending her first Afghan-American Conference. She was inspired to join the AACO committee and is grateful to serve.

SAMERA YOUSUF, Programming Coordinator

Samera Yousuf was one of the eight co-founders of the first ever Afghan-American Conference in 2015. As the Founding Programming Director, she helped design the agenda from scratch, informed by her years in grassroots, collectivist, organizing spaces. She received her Master’s degree in International Development with a specialization in Refugees & Humanitarian Emergencies from Georgetown University, and a Bachelor’s degree in International Studies in Political Science and Economics from UC San Diego.

Her work has largely focused on advocating for forcibly displaced populations in various capacities, including through policy analysis, program design, and direct support. Most recently, she worked with IOM-UN Migration in Doha, directly supporting Afghan refugee and SIV applicants evacuated from Afghanistan following the 2021 US withdrawal. She is excited to return to AACO and to be involved with strengthening our ever-growing diaspora community again.

ALINA AMILEE, Marketing Director

Alina Amilee is an Afghan-American Bay Area native currently based in Southern California. She graduated from California State University, Fullerton, with a degree in Business Administration and a concentration in Marketing.

Alina has been a part of the Afghan-American Community Organization (AACO) since 2023, starting as a Marketing Coordinator and now serving as the Marketing Director. She has played a key role in shaping AACO’s visual identity, including planning and designing the conference logo for the past two years. Inspired by her maternal grandfather’s role in academia and the current political climate in the motherland, she is deeply passionate about AACO’s mission to support Afghans in attaining higher education through scholarships and opportunities to advance in their careers. She is dedicated to helping them gain access to resources that would otherwise be unavailable in the motherland, empowering them to thrive and build successful futures.

With a strong background in marketing and design, Alina blends her creativity with strategic storytelling to create impactful campaigns. She is committed to using visual storytelling to amplify Afghan voices, strengthen cultural identity, and foster a sense of community. Through her work at AACO, she hopes to inspire and uplift the next generation of Afghan youth by providing them with the tools and opportunities needed to succeed. She is proud and grateful to collaborate with other driven young professionals in advancing Afghan excellence.

MARIAM DANISH, Marketing Coordinator

Mariam Danish was born and raised in Southern California. She grew up surrounded by a large Afghan family. As a first generation American, she struggled with finding a balance between her identities. While she pursued her Bachelor's at University of California, Riverside, Mariam became involved with the Afghan and Middle Eastern community. Mariam thrived being around like-minded individuals with similar experiences. Her passion lies with working with the diaspora and strengthening the community.

Having completed her bachelor's in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing, Mariam is working as a professional in the marketing field and is excited to bring her experiences to help strengthen AACO’s efforts.

ABU NAIMZADEH, Marketing Coordinator

Abu was born in Los Angeles, CA, raised in the Pacific Northwest, and now resides in Northern Virginia. Growing up in a predominantly white city fostered a deep yearning to connect with their countryfolk and give back in a meaningful way.Professionally, Abu brings experience as a data practitioner and storyteller, having worked at FFRDCs and non-profits. Previously, they co-founded Secwins, a tech startup dedicated to building secure digital twins for cyber-physical systems. Through this venture, they forged strategic partnerships with organizations such as the Digital Twin Consortium, the Autonomy Institute, and the Air Force Research Laboratory. Abu also interned at the International Rescue Committee, spearheading data analyses that helped shape refugee programs and improve assimilation initiatives.As a proud member of the Afghan-American community, Abu values the importance of inclusive spaces where Afghans in the diaspora can thrive. That sense of connection was strengthened through research at Syracuse University—leading data projects to support student retention, bridge the digital divide in Costa Rica, and engage with entrepreneurship clubs to promote innovation. Today, they bring those analytical skills, community-driven mindset, and a commitment to service to AACO, supporting the organization’s marketing initiatives.In their spare time, you can find them leading social deduction-based board games, hosting supper clubs, or simply staring at their wifey in awe.

SOPHIA SULTANI, Marketing Coordinator

Although being born in New York, Sophia was mainly raised in the suburbs of New Jersey, unexposed to the Afghan-American community. As she navigated through high school and college, she was in a constant search for friends that she could relate to in terms of culture and tradition. After attending her first AAC in 2023, she felt included and closer to her heritage. Her positive experience at the conference pushed her to increase her involvement in the Afghan-American collective.

In May of 2023, Sophia graduated from Rutgers University with a degree in Business Economics. Currently, she works in the banking industry and is part of a rotational program, focusing on the different teams within operations. She is looking forward to combining her leadership experiences from Rutgers and the skills she acquires from her rotations, to support the Marketing Committee in executing their social media campaigns and creating their designs. She is grateful for the opportunity to work with AACO and give back to the Afghan-American community. It is important for the Afghan Diaspora to feel seen and heard, and she appreciates how AACO advocates for inclusivity. In her spare time, you will find Sophia rewatching the Harry Potter movies for the 100th time or trying to figure out what concert to go to next.

REETA ASMAI, Academic & Professional Development Coordinator

Born in Afghanistan, raised in Sacramento, and now based in Los Angeles, Reeta Asmai is a passionate advocate for healthcare equity, cross-cultural education, and community empowerment.

She earned her undergraduate degree from UC Davis in Physiology and Middle East/South Asian (ME/SA) studies. Over the years, she has worked in community health clinics and nonprofits, providing healthcare to uninsured ME/SA populations and helping Afghan refugee women access essential social services. Now pursuing an MD/MBA at UCLA, she continues to advocate for accessible, culturally responsive, and innovative healthcare—particularly in women’s health. Reeta aspires to expand intercommunity mentorship, strengthen professional networks, and support the next generation of Afghan-American leaders.

Outside of her professional work, she enjoys portrait photography, reading classical fiction, and exploring creative projects.

WAZHMA SAIDI, Scholarships Coordinator

Born and raised in the U.S., Wazhma grew up in Oklahoma, where she navigated exclusively white spaces with little connection to her Afghan identity. It wasn’t until 2017 in DC where she connected with family, AAC, and other like-minded Afghans that she began to embrace and define her Afghan American identity.

Wazhma has spent over a decade directing client success and account management teams in the tech industry, specializing in growth marketing, advocacy, and professional development. She is now pursuing a master’s in Mental Health Counseling to support families and adults through trauma-informed care. In 2021, she worked with Task Force Argo, playing a critical role in the evacuation of Afghan allies and refugees.

As Scholarships Coordinator for AACO, Wazhma is dedicated to expanding access to financial and professional opportunities for Afghan-American students, believing that mentorship and education are key to empowering future leaders. She remains deeply engaged in advocacy and community-building efforts while continuing to travel, watch stand-up comedy shows across the US, and discover the best foodie spots.

CODE OF CONDUCT COORDINATORS

Your AACO Code of Conduct Coordinators work to investigate, manage, and evaluate reports submitted through the AACO Code of Conduct process. They strive to ensure that people are comfortable in this space, including dealing with any concerns or hesitations that might arise.

DAWOUD WAZIRI, Code of Conduct Coordinator

Dawoud was born and raised in Northern Virginia and has been in Southern California since 2006. He’s currently working as a sales manager, as well as being one of the founders of The Samovar Network, a progressive and inclusive Afghan diasporic hub. That fosters honest conversations that center the marginalized, reinvigorate culture, and build community.

MADINA WARDAK, Code of Conduct Coordinator

Madina, MSW/ACSW, is a social worker, consultant, trainer and facilitator based out of Los Angeles, CA. Madina received a Bachelors in Political Science with an emphasis on the Middle East from UC Irvine and a Masters in Social Work from the University of Southern California. Madina has served foster youth experiencing housing instability since 2018 at both Covenant House California and First Place For Youth. She has been involved in grassroots organizing through SWANA-LA since 2015. Madina has previously served as a facilitator for various workshops at the Afghan American Conference regarding identity, mental health and substance abuse. Since the withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan, she has served as a trainer and facilitator, consulting social service agencies serving Afghan refugees. She is the founder of Burqas & Beer, an online digital platform discussing Afghan mental health, intergenerational trauma, political issues, identity, and socio-cultural events. Most recently, her poetry was featured in the Afghan American Artists & Writers written anthology, “EMERGENC(Y): Writing Afghan Lives Beyond the Forever War.”