Over the past four years, I’ve worked with global organizations to design, pitch, and execute high-impact initiatives across Asia and Africa. Drawing on a decade of experience in international development, communications, and project management, I specialize in translating complex ideas into compelling stories and impactful programs.
UNESCO – Cambodia
At UNESCO Cambodia, I led cross-sectoral initiatives in partnership with the Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sport, and the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training. I co-developed Cambodia’s COVID-19 education response plan and managed the agency’s lifelong learning portfolio focused on marginalized groups, including out-of-school youth and female garment workers. I also oversaw communications and visibility for the Global Partnership for Education’s flagship teacher training project in Cambodia, which trained over 4,000 teachers on student-centered, play-based Early Grade Reading packages. My work involved coaching and mentoring local staff, liaising with the media, and extensive stakeholder engagement with government officials and partner agencies.
USAID – Somalia's Bar ama Baro Project
As Technical Lead at the Washington DC-based development firm, Creative Associates International, I led a cross-functional team to develop an evidence-based, context-responsive program design for an accelerated learning program for marginalized learners in Somalia, and won a $50M bid. Later, as a consultant, I supported a comprehensive education sector risk and gender analysis for the program to inform adaptive and conflict-sensitive project implementation.
USAID – Pakistan Reading Project
At Creative Associates International, I managed a $47M partnership with the International Rescue Committee to implement the award-winning Pakistan Reading Project. I oversaw a 90+ person field team, handling financial forecasting, vendor management, field operations and contractual compliance. In parallel, I also supported technical oversight, collaborating with technical leads to develop and roll-out high-quality products around gender inclusion, public-private-partnerships and policy development.
Search for Common Ground – DME for Peace
At the leading peacebuilding organization, Search for Common Ground, I led the redesign of DME for Peace, a global knowledge-sharing platform focused on strengthening the practice of peacebuilding in conflict-affected contexts. With support from the Carnegie Corporation and UNICEF, I launched a new learning strategy centered on practitioner-led learning communities and multimedia content, co-developed with field teams across 52 country offices and partner organizations.
IREX – Youth Development Programs
At the Washington DC-based non-profit organization IREX, I worked on experiential leadership programs for youth, designing and delivering training for 400+ college students. Drawing on principles from Positive Youth Development (PYD). I played a key role in launching an alumni grants program and forming innovative partnerships that cultivated leadership and sustained civic engagement.
Pakistan Eats – Digital Brand & Media Platform
In parallel to the above-mentioned work, I founded Pakistan Eats, a digital brand and award-winning platform that has helped spotlight Pakistani cuisine on the global stage. What began as a personal passion evolved into a widely recognized media property featured by global outlets including The New York Times, Bon Appétit and Eater. I led all aspects of brand strategy, editorial planning, audience growth, and partnership development—building an engaged following and publishing a cookbook that blends storytelling with cultural diplomacy.