When describing what my passion is, I always simply state people. I love fostering, cultivating, and building relationships. We all at the core have similar needs and wants. I help figure out what your goals are and how we can work together to define and execute them.

I was born in Los Angeles, raised in Orange County, and live in Long Beach, California. Being a child of immigrant parents from Pakistan helped shape a unique worldview that paved a way for empathy early on. Growing up, I felt I was living in two worlds: that of a Pakistani-Muslim household juxtaposed with my “American” life outside of our modest apartment. I learned at a young age how small the world truly was and how privileged we are to live in the United States, having visited Pakistan often. That coupled with identifying as Queer and a proud member of the LGBTQIA+ family, I know the power of representation and seeing oneself reflected in others. Throughout my upbringing, I knew that whatever I did, it had to have an element of helping better the lives of others. I knew then and know now that I got where I am because of people that believed in me. Helping others has taken many forms over the years throughout my personal life: being a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County for ten years, and professionally: having spent nine years at The Walt Disney Company. I led partnerships and community outreach at ARRAY, Ava DuVernay’s film collective. Most recently, I led Development and Donor Relations at FREE THE WORK and currently lead Creative Production as a Senior Manager at Target.

During my free time, you’ll catch me doing one of the following things: trying the latest new restaurant, roaming a museum, traveling, watching a Bollywood movie, reading a good self-help book, and volunteering my time.

Thank you for being here.