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The Team
TEAM
Gauher Aftab Founder
Gauher Aftab is the Founder of LSU. In his professional career, he currently serves as the COO at Pledges Inc, and has over 18 years of experience scaling businesses and social impact organizations. He previously served as Country Director in Pakistan for Generation: You Employed and Chief Strategy Officer at CarFirst, acquired by Naspers Ventures in 2019. Gauher is also involved in community service and authored the 'Paasban - the Guardian' comic book series to counter violent extremism among Pakistani youth. He holds an undergraduate degree from Knox College with a double major in Economics and Mathematical Finance.
Moneeza Burney Director
Moneeza Burney has been associated with several development sector projects in Pakistan while working as a researcher, script writer, a freelance journalist, and leading youth programs. Since 2013, Moneeza has served as a Director of the LSU. In 2014, she launched the Community Service Initiative, LSU’s flagship program, which later branched out into LSU’s three other main programs. Over the years, she has received international recognition and awards for LSU’s work. In 2019, she was invited to speak about the ‘Role of Youth in Creating Inclusive Societies’ by the UNGA in New York, US and represent LSU at a global platform. Moneeza has also been writing for DAWN newspaper as a feature writer since 2013. Moneeza received her graduate degree from New York University, US, after completing her Masters in Near Eastern Studies as a Falak Sufi Scholar, and holds an undergraduate degree from Sheffield Hallam University, UK, in Business Economics.
Zoha Awais
Chief Strategy Officer /Associate Director, North /Center
Sanam Kubra Associate Director, Partnerships
Sanam Kubra is a development sector professional with over 18 years of experience working with local and international organizations. She is the Director Grants at Pledges Inc. where she focuses on strategic planning and disbursement of grants and financial aid to tech skills focused initiatives and bootcamps across Africa, MENA, and South and South-East Asia. She also serves as a facilitator and trainer conducting workshops on topical issues ranging from issues affecting children, young adults, women rights and empowerment and psychosocial support and stress management. She also serves as an Advisor at Bluvard Education Initiative's Digital Skills Program. Since 2017, Sanam has been working with LSU as an Associate Director for Partnerships.
Myra Burney Associate Director, South
Myra Burney is a multidisciplinary artist who is interested in telling stories through photography and illustration. Formally trained in Architecture Design, she is particularly interested in the relationship between people and their environment. Thus, her contribution at LSU as the Associate Director for South Region, is driven by the passion to work at grass-root level with NGOs, educational institutions and volunteers to bring a long term, positive, change within the communities across the region.
Irtaqa Riaz Program Manager
Irtaqa Riaz has recently started her journey as an Early Childhood Educator with a strong commitment to creating a nurturing learning environment for children. She was previously working as a Preschool Assistant Teacher at Nordic International School and currently a Project Officer at Parwaaz Akhuwat. In 2021, under Hanns Seidal Foundation (HSF) research fellowship on non-traditional security challenges, she conducted a study that revolved around the state of food insecurity in Pakistan. She first joined LSU as a volunteer and was later selected to join the LSU team as a Program Coordinator for her exceptional work. Through her work with LSU, she aims to be a part of causes that are contributing positively to Pakistan’s education system.
Zahra Masood Program Manager
Zahra Masood is currently completing her Bachelor’s degree at Lahore School of Economics (LSE). Driven by the deep-rooted belief that everyone has the power to create a positive change, Zahra decided to join LSU as a volunteer in 2019. In 2022, she was selected as a Program Coordinator for her excellent work. Using LSU as a platform, her goal is to bring together passionate and driven individuals to become the leaders of the future, creating a positive impact where ever they go.
Shaharyar Ahmed Program Coordinator
Muhammaad Bilal Ijaz Library Initiative Coordinator
Muhammad Bilal Ijaz is an undergraduate student at the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS). He joined LSU during his A-levels as a volunteer, during which he was headed two library projects in Lahore. For his impressive work as a team leader for two successful library projects, Bilal was selected as Library Initiative Coordinator. With justice, welfare and community as his cardinal values, he aims to bring positive change through his work with LSU.
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Shaharyar Ahmed is passionate about creating positive change. He completed his O levels from LGS JT and is currently enrolled in the A Levels program at LGS Gulberg. In summer 2021, he joined LSU as a volunteer and was later selected to join the LSU team as a Program Coordinator for his outstanding work. Through his role, he hopes to bring meaningful change in communities across Pakistan.
Mahad is an A levels student at Beaconhouse Margalla. Motivated by a desire to contribute to society, he joined LSU in Summer 2023 as a volunteer. Based on his excellent work as a volunteer and team leader and his previous community service experiences, LSU selected him to join the LSU team as a coordinator. Apart from his dedication to service, he is deeply passionate about football, playing at a semi-professional level as an IFA (Islamabad Football Association) registered player. His academic pursuits led him to explore the mysteries of the universe, particularly in the field of space physics. In his spare time, he likes to read books.
Mahad Khan Program Coordinator
Naveen Khan City Coordinator (Islamabad)
A graduate of Public Policy, Naveen Khan jumped into the development sector to pursue her passion of working within the domain of education and development. After witnessing LSU’s impact of empowering the youth and marginal communities firsthand, Naveen formally joined LSU as the City Coordinator for Islamabad. With a proactive mindset, she thrives on turning challenges into opportunities and commitment to make a lasting impact through her work with LSU.
Gulnoor Khan City Coordinator (Karachi)
Gulnoor Khan is an ACF graduate from Institute of Business Administration (IBA), Karachi and Executive Strategy at PTCL Group. With a devoted nine-year tenure at LSU, starting off as a volunteer in 2016 and later taking up leadership roles like team leader, council member and currently as the City Coordinator for Karachi. Being a firm believer in equal education, child literacy and empowerment, Gulnoor also headed a LSU library project in Korangi, Karachi.
Our Ambassadors
Meenal Zaheer
Beaconhouse
(2023-Present)
Rida Khan
Roots Ivy
(2022-Present)
Previous Ambassadors
Abdullah Muzaffer
Beaconhouse
(2022-2023)
Maaz Fahim
ICMS
(2023)
Leadership for Social Uplift (LSU)
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