
Aly Badruddin
Central Chair
Aly Badruddin is a global business professional with a Bachelor’s in business accounting and professional certifications in Hotel Revenue Management and Artificial Intelligence. Throughout his career, Aly has worked across multiple sectors including banking, real estate, hospitality, and manufacturing. He is currently the founder of an AI-driven luxury watch company.
He has a long history of volunteering with AKDN Agencies, as well as community institutions. These include the Ismaili Professional Network, Economic Planning Board, Social Welfare Board, Safety & Security, Ismaili TV (communications), the Aga Khan Award for Architecture, Industrial Promotion Services, and the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development in Kenya, Mozambique, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan.
Aly is committed to expanding AKF’s impact by raising awareness and funds to support vulnerable communities worldwide.

Seema Jiwani
Central Vice Chair
Seema Jiwani is a registered nurse and educator at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. A graduate of the Aga Khan University, she holds a Doctorate in Nursing and brings over 25 years of professional experience.
Since the early 2000s, Seema has been a dedicated volunteer with the Aga Khan Foundation. Her involvement with AKDN institutions has been a lifelong commitment. Seema aims to increase community engagement and support for AKF initiatives.

Abida Taher
Florida Chair
Dr. Abida Taher Jooma is an onco-radiologist in private practice in Clearwater, Florida. She earned her MD and PhD from Tulane University, completed her residency at Baylor College of Medicine, and pursued fellowships in Oncologic Imaging at Dana Farber Cancer Institute and Dementia Imaging at UCLA School of Medicine. She is also the founder and CEO of a healthcare startup, uncancer.com.
She has served as Regional Chair of the Education Board for Florida and as a council member for Poverty Alleviation and Settlement. She has also been a long-time Religious Education Centre teacher.

Nuruddin Daya
Florida Vice Chair
Nuruddin Daya is a seasoned professional, currently a real estate broker and engineer based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He holds a Bachelor’s in Science in Engineering Aerospace.
With a family history of service dating back to his great-grandfather, Nuruddin continues this tradition through active community involvement. He has led the local Ismaili congregation, been a Religious Education Centre teacher for over a decade, served on the Ismaili Professionals Network and Economic Planning Board teams, and has been a volunteer fundraiser for AKF for five years.

Salim Hemani
Midwest Chair
Salim Hemani is the Founder and Senior Vice President of Raza Communications, a telecommunications company specializing in local and international long-distance calling services since 1997. Educated in Dhaka, Bangladesh, he has built a successful business career.
Deeply committed to community service, Salim has served in numerous capacities, including as the Ismaili Volunteer Captain in Northlake, IL and as National Board Member of the Aga Khan Economic Planning Board. He played a pivotal role in helping launch the Chicago Partnership Walk some years back, which raised significant funds for AKF.

Saima Gowani
Midwest Vice Chair
Saima Gowani is an education professional specializing in early childhood development, research, and policy analysis. She holds a Bachelor’s in Economics from UC Berkeley, a Master’s in International Education Policy from Harvard, and is pursuing a Ph.D. in Education Policy at Columbia University. With extensive experience at organizations like the Aga Khan Foundation, UNICEF, and Save the Children, her expertise spans curriculum development, program evaluation, and policy research, with significant contributions to publications on early learning standards and cost-effectiveness in education programs.
Saima has served on multiple boards, including Education, Youth and Sports, Social Welfare, and the Ismaili Tariqah Religious Education Board, and has completed multiple Time, Knowledge and Nazrana assignments for AKDN and Imamat institutions. She also serves alongside her children as a uniformed Ismaili Volunteer.

Fazila Lalani
Northeast Chair
Dr. Fazila Lalani is an emergency medicine physician with over 10 years of experience at Northwell Health in New York City. Her international health work includes disaster relief in Pakistan, Nepal, and Haiti, and she has served as a visiting faculty member at Mission Hospital in Durgapur, India.
Fazila spent two years in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, where she helped establish the emergency department at Aga Khan Hospital, ensuring it met international healthcare standards.
She has held leadership roles serving as an Aga Khan Museum Ambassador, Regional Chairperson for the Aga Khan Health Board, and President of the Ismaili Health Professional Association.

Farhaz Jessani
Northeast Vice Chair
Farhaz Jessani is a Product Owner at the College Board, managing the development of Digital AP Products. He holds a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from Temple University, specializing in Risk Management and Insurance.
Actively involved in community service, Farhaz has served on multiple committees, including Youth and Sports, Religious Education Centre Management, Safety and Security, and AKF Fundraising teams. As Northeast Vice Chair, he is focused on raising awareness about AKF’s work and increasing contributions across diverse community segments.

Ali Jamal
Southeast Chair
Ali Jamal is a Forbes bestselling author and real estate entrepreneur known for revitalizing economically challenged properties. He founded Stablegold Hospitality in 2011, focusing on urban development that benefits underserved communities.
With an MBA from Northeastern University and executive education from Harvard and Stanford, Ali has been recognized for innovative urban development. He served as the Ismail Professional Network Chairman in the Southeast and continues in the role the Regional AKF Chairman since 2024.

Rizwan Sawja
Southeast Vice Chair
Rizwan Sawja is a real estate development entrepreneur committed to community service. He has served in various community leadership roles, including Ismaili Congregation Leader in California, member the Fundraising Team, Education Board, and other significant events.
Rizwan has served as the AKF Vice Chairman in the Southeast since 2024 and is passionate about raising awareness and funds to address global poverty.

Moez Maredia
Southwest Chair
Moez Maredia is an entrepreneur and resident of Houston. The Maredia family runs hospitality, real estate, and retail businesses in Mumbai, Dubai, and Houston. Moez studied Computer Sciences and Information Sciences at the University of Houston. He has served as the AKF Chairman of the Southwest Region since 2020.

Mohamad Momin
Southwest Vice Chair
Mohamad Momin is an entrepreneur and community leader, owning Starr Insurance Agency and VA Simplified. With a background in Electronic Engineering, he brings an analytical approach to his business and community endeavors.
A lifelong volunteer, Mohamad has held key leadership roles in various organizations, including City Lead positions for Aga Khan Youth & Sports Board, Economic Planning Board and AKF. As of April 2024, he serves as Southwest AKF Regional Vice Chairman, driving impactful community programs.

Rehana Jiwani
West Chair
Rehana Jiwani is an attorney and business owner who graduated with a Bachelor of Law from the University of London and obtained her Certificate in Legal Practice in Malaysia. After practicing civil litigation in Malaysian courts, she moved to the USA to pursue immigration law, specializing in extraordinary ability and artists visas. She currently owns and operates Sir Speedy, a printing franchise in Santa Monica, California.
Deeply committed to community service, Rehana served as the Project Manager for the AKF Walk at Santa Monica Pier in Los Angeles for six consecutive years. Her dedication to making a difference in other peoples’ lives led to her prior role as Vice Chairperson for AKF in the Western region and now as Chairperson, demonstrating her continued commitment to serving the foundation’s mission.

Saad Hirani
West Vice Chair
Saad Hirani is a healthcare and pharmaceutical business leader with roots in Karachi, Pakistan. He holds degrees from UC Berkeley and Harvard Business School. He currently serves as President of Comprehensive Mobile Care, focusing on healthcare for vulnerable aging populations, as well as helping run his family’s pharmaceutical business.
With a long history of voluntary service, Saad is passionate about engaging young professionals in philanthropy and community giving. He has contributed to various AKF initiatives, emphasizing the importance of maintaining cultural roots through community engagement.