About Us

Our Leadership Team

A Penny Appeal aid worker stands among the rubble of a collapsed building, assessing damage in a disaster-stricken area under clear skies

Board to Trustees

Our Senior Leadership Team are dedicated to driving meaningful change, steering our efforts to break the poverty cycle and build brighter futures.

  • United Kingdom
  • United States of America
  • Canada
  • Dubai
  • Australia
  • South Africa
  • Mohammed Junaid Akhtar
    Mohammed Junaid Akhtar
    Chair

    Mohammed Junaid Akhtar is a respected community leader with extensive experience in the charity sector, holding trustee and leadership roles across multiple organisations, including Chair of the Board of Trustees at Penny Appeal. Currently managing the Safeguarding in Faith Communities initiative for the Birmingham Safeguarding Children Partnership, he combines expertise in charity law, governance, and finance with a strong commitment to justice as a Magistrate Judge. His accomplishments include developing innovative safeguarding frameworks, increasing funding for community initiatives, and fostering impactful partnerships across over 700 charities.

  • Mohammed Jahangir
    Mohammed Jahangir
    Trustee

    Mohammed Jahangir is a safeguarding expert with over two decades of experience working across local government and statutory agencies. As the Chair of Safeguarding, he is dedicated to ensuring robust safeguarding measures and effective governance structures.

  • Mohammed Khizar
    Mohammed Khizar
    Trustee

    Mohammed Khizar brings extensive experience in project management, charity leadership, and Islamic studies, making him an exceptional addition to Penny Appeal. As Chair of the Sufi Abdullah Foundation, he has developed strategic plans, implemented policies, and ensured financial and operational oversight to achieve sustainable impact. His professional background includes delivering complex government projects, engaging stakeholders, and fostering resilience in challenging environments.

  • Huma Shamas
    Huma Shamas
    Trustee

    Huma brings a wealth of expertise in health and social care, with over a decade of experience leading and developing care services. As a co-founder and trustee of Inspiring Champions, she has been instrumental in setting strategic goals to empower vulnerable families and children in disadvantaged communities. Currently serving as a Registered Care Manager, Huma is dedicated to delivering high-quality, person-centred care while maintaining exceptional regulatory standards. Her strong leadership, organisational skills, and commitment to inclusivity make her a great addition to the team.

  • Adeem Younis
    Adeem Younis
    Trustee

    Adeem is a local businessman. With a proven track record in business ventures, Adeem combines leadership with a passion for community-driven enterprises.

UK Senior Leadership Team

  • Ishaq Israr
    Ishaq Israr
    CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
  • Ahmad Bostan
    Ahmad Bostan
    Director of Marketing & Communication
  • Kamran Shahid
    Kamran Shahid
    Director of Finance
  • Steven Abiona
    Steven Abiona
    Director of IT
  • Rehan Dawer
    Rehan Dawer
    Chair

    Rehan is a social impact entrepreneur, investor, philanthropist, and leadership mentor with 27 years of experience in strategic planning, organizational development, and enterprise management. He has held management roles at Bank of America, American Express, Morgan Stanley, and Guidance Residential, where as part of the founding executive team he led the start-up’s first $1 billion in sales and marketing strategy. Rehan is committed to building human-centred, sustainable institutions and serves as a founding board member of Communities in Schools of Northern Virginia, helping “at risk” students graduate and attend college.

  • Shaun Ahmad
    Shaun Ahmad
    VICE CHAIR

    Shaun has been with Penny Appeal USA since the beginning and was formerly the Board Treasurer. Shaun is a businessman, investor and philanthropist. He has been involved with several community service organizations that promote interfaith dialogue, foster racial and ethnic understanding, and work to fight poverty.

  • Prianka Fatima Alam
    Prianka Fatima Alam
    Trustee

    Prianka Fatima Alam has a master’s in Industrial Organizational Psychology and serves as Deloitte’s Global Talent & Organizational Transformation Leader. She advises USA Federal Health clients on communication, change management, leadership development, and technology adoption, while also leading global initiatives on mental health, well-being, gender balance, and diversity, equity, and inclusion for Deloitte’s 300,000+ professionals. Before Deloitte, she directed policy research at IMPAQ International and began her career at Johns Hopkins conducting research on treatments for drug addiction.

  • Wasim Lala
    Wasim Lala
    Trustee

    “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.” – Arthur C. Clarke. Wasim believes advancing technology—especially cloud and now GenAI—is key to unlocking the full potential of data and creating “magic” experiences for stakeholders, from seamless customer journeys to faster, more accurate health insurance claims. With over a decade of consulting experience across MENA, Europe, Latin America, and North America, he is passionate about helping organizations modernize at pace and cost-effectively. He also leads several DE&I initiatives.

  • William Galvin
    William Galvin
    Chair
  • Sameena Qureishi
    Sameena Qureishi
    Trustee
  • Omair Khan
    Omair Khan
    Trustee
  • Adeem Younis
    Adeem Younis
    Trustee

Canada Senior Leadership Team

  • Fawad Kalsi
    CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
  • Rabea Soofi
    Director of Programs
  • Reead Rahamut
    Director of Finance
  • Hajira Khan
    Director of Marketing
  • Owis Hikmat
    Director of Development
  • Mohammed Junaid Akhtar
    Mohammed Junaid Akhtar
    Chair

    Mohammed Junaid Akhtar is a respected community leader with extensive experience in the charity sector, holding trustee and leadership roles across multiple organisations, including Chair of the Board of Trustees at Penny Appeal. Currently managing the Safeguarding in Faith Communities initiative for the Birmingham Safeguarding Children Partnership, he combines expertise in charity law, governance, and finance with a strong commitment to justice as a Magistrate Judge. His accomplishments include developing innovative safeguarding frameworks, increasing funding for community initiatives, and fostering impactful partnerships across over 700 charities.

  • Mohammed Jahangir
    Mohammed Jahangir
    Trustee

    Mohammed Jahangir is a safeguarding expert with over two decades of experience working across local government and statutory agencies. As the Chair of Safeguarding, he is dedicated to ensuring robust safeguarding measures and effective governance structures.

  • Mohammed Khizar
    Mohammed Khizar
    Trustee

    Mohammed Khizar brings extensive experience in project management, charity leadership, and Islamic studies, making him an exceptional addition to Penny Appeal. As Chair of the Sufi Abdullah Foundation, he has developed strategic plans, implemented policies, and ensured financial and operational oversight to achieve sustainable impact. His professional background includes delivering complex government projects, engaging stakeholders, and fostering resilience in challenging environments.

  • Huma Shamas
    Huma Shamas
    Trustee

    Huma brings a wealth of expertise in health and social care, with over a decade of experience leading and developing care services. As a co-founder and trustee of Inspiring Champions, she has been instrumental in setting strategic goals to empower vulnerable families and children in disadvantaged communities. Currently serving as a Registered Care Manager, Huma is dedicated to delivering high-quality, person-centred care while maintaining exceptional regulatory standards. Her strong leadership, organisational skills, and commitment to inclusivity make her a great addition to the team.

  • Adeem Younis
    Adeem Younis
    Trustee

    Adeem is a local businessman. With a proven track record in business ventures, Adeem combines leadership with a passion for community-driven enterprises.

  • Dr Muhammad Khan
    Trustee
  • Soad Mehana
    Trustee
  • Ahmad Abdul
    Trustee
  • Latiff Mponda
    Trustee
  • Naseema Mall
    Trustee
  • Nazeer Jama
    Trustee
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Every Penny Helps Thank you.

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