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Our Team

Family Assisters


Najiba Mohammadi

Assister

I approach life with an emphasis on learning new things. I attended college in India, where I received a bachelor’s degree in business administration. Before I joined the team at ACS I worked with Afghan arrivals at a resettlement agency in Virginia. I have a strong desire to help Afghans and take pride in empowering newcomers, especially Afghan women, by providing resources and assistance. I have been recognized as a hardworking professional and consistently praised for my adaptability by both coworkers and managers. Outside of work, 
I enjoy traveling, reading books, and cooking. 

Contact: najiba@afghanculturalsociety.org


Ahmad Fahim Malikzai

Assister Team Lead

My name is Ahmad Fahim Malikzai.
I decided to work at the Afghan Cultural Society because I want to help my community get the help they needed and help serve everyone so that everyone in society can thrive and live a long successful life. A little bit about me is that I have two bachelor degrees one in business administration and  the second in electrical engineering. I can’t wait to bring my knowledge and experience to the team.

Contact: fahim@afghanculturalsociety.org

Naser Mohammadi

Assister

I would call ACS “THE WELCOME CENTER”! I decided to work at ACS because I wanted to serve my Afghan friends. While I was living in Afghanistan I worked for 2 decades in project management and in the non-profit sector, and continue that work here in Minnesota. I act as a guide to Afghan arrivals – someone who shares the language and culture as well as knowledge of the systems in a new country. I joined ACS for the friendly environment – we are like a family without any boss.

Contact:
naser@afghanculturalsociety.org

Healthcare Navigator


Atefa Tavasoli

Lead Healthcare Navigator

My name is Atefa Tavasoli and I am a medical graduate from Afghanistan. I like taking responsibilities that look difficult to others and that’s why I decided to help our Afghan refugees as a healthcare navigator to find their way in US health care situation. I am a passionate team member, a potential planner, and always open to new adventures.

Contact:
atefa@afghanculturalsociety.org

Education Coaching

Haniya Tavasoli

Haniya Tavasoli

Education Mentor Lead

Haniya Tavasoli is a student at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design and a family coach at the Afghan Cultural Society. As a refugee herself, she understands the challenges of adapting to a new educational environment. Haniya is passionate about helping students navigate their educational journeys while also fostering a supportive community. In her free time, she enjoys climbing, hiking, and indulging in her love for art and creativity.

Contact: haniya@afghanculturalsociety.org

Basharmal Amin

Education Mentor

Contact: basharmal@afghanculturalsociety.org

Robina Amin

Education Mentor

Contact: robina@afghanculturalsociety.org

Mental Health Programs


Zahra Wahidy

Women’s Mental Health Lead

I have my bachelor’s degree in educational psychology. I worked as a research assistant and reporter with non-profit organization back in Afghanistan. Now I am working at Afghan Cultural Society as Women Mental Health Lead. I joined ACS in December 2022 to facilitate the Afghan Women’s Circle program. It is a pleasure to help the Afghan community in resettling with their life in the US. I like to learn new things and make new friends.

Contact: zahra@afghanculturalsociety.org


Wahidullah Noorzad

Men’s Mental Health Lead

My name is Wahidullah Noorzad, I was born in Afghanistan and graduated from Kabul University with a degree in law and political science. I have a master’s degree in criminal law and worked with President Hamed Karzai Ashraf Ghani during his term. Today, I work with arriving Afghan community members at ACS. I enjoy working at ACS because it’s like a family and it’s important to me to support my people. In my spare time, I enjoy playing soccer, chess, and snooker. My message to the general public is this:
Help your fellow members of humanity without reservation or prejudice!

Contact:
noorzad@afghanculturalsociety.org


Hussain Ali Haidari

Men’s Mental Health Facilitator
/Journalist

Hussain Ali Haidari is the reporter and editor of New Home, a weekly news service for Afghan immigrants to United States, published in Pashto and Dari. Haidari studied journalism at Kabul University and served as an executive officer for the former President of Afghanistan, Ashraf Ghani. Before moving to the U.S., in 2021, Hussain reported and edited for Hasht-e-Subh Daily, a nonprofit independent newspaper.


Ahmad Farid Ibrahimzai

Men’s Mental Health Team

Marjan Tabatabaei

Youth Mental Health Lead

I obtained my Ph.D. in Social Sciences and have always been deeply passionate about researching social issues, particularly those affecting women and children. Working with children and youth, despite its challenges, has the potential to expand one’s horizons and introduce them to new perspectives and worlds, something I’ve always been enthusiastic about. Children possess a unique ability to perceive the world with wonder and curiosity, often inspiring those around them to see things in a new light. I am currently working as a Youth Services Lead. Engaging with these lovable individuals every day and striving to teach them new things, while learning so much from them in return, is an incredibly rewarding experience.

Contact:
marjan@afghanculturalsociety.org

Communications

Gabe Van de Water

Communications Coordinator

Gabe is a visual artist and designer living in Minneapolis. He received a BFA from California College of Arts in 2014. He has been working at ACS since spring 2023 where he manages all things comms, with a particular focus on digital communications. Gabe has also worked as a printer operator, freelance graphic designer, and as campaign staff. In his spare time, he enjoys gardening, making art, and hiking with friends.

Contact:
gabe@afghanculturalsociety.org

Administrative

Sara Quraishi

Program Data Analyst

I am a Certified Associate in project management and have worked at Afghan Cultural Society as the assister team lead before taking on my current role. My goal is to be better than I was yesterday. On weekends I like to dine out with my family.

Contact: sara@afghanculturalsociety.org

Salimeh Rahimi

Event Coordinator

Contact: salimeh@afghanculturalsociety.org

Smash Flores

Administrative Assistant

Contact: salimeh@afghanculturalsociety.org

Nasreen Sajady


Nasreen Sajady

Advocacy Director

Graduate of Augsburg University with a bachelor’s in biology and a master’s in teaching. They worked for over a decade in microbiology and began teaching in 2019. They are the child of first-generation immigrants from Afghanistan and was born and raised in the Twin Cities. With parents trying to understand the new culture around them, they were left to figure out how to navigate two cultural identities on their own. They joined ACS in 2019 to combat the western narrative of who Afghans are and to bring the Afghan community in MN together. Their personal experiences and passion to fight against injustices drives them to continue working towards easing the transition for refugee/immigrant communities and equity for Black and Indigenous people. In their down time you can catch them traveling, dancing, being in nature and enjoying all mediums of art.

Contact: nasreen@afghanculturalsociety.org