Meet the Board – Maisha North America Foundation

Meet the Maisha Board

Learn more about who we are and why we’re passionate about creating pathways to education and opportunity.

Zaheer Poptani

Maisha Board President

Zaheer's leadership at Maisha is deeply personal. He brings the perspective of someone who has walked the path—from scholarship recipient to global citizen, from student leader to business leader.

Zaheer Poptani

Maisha Board President

Zaheer Poptani is the Board President of Maisha, where he leads with a personal passion for education as a powerful force for individual transformation and community uplift. His own journey is a testament to that belief. Zaheer came to the United States on a scholarship—an opportunity that not only changed the course of his life but inspired a lifelong dedication to creating similar opportunities for others. As an international student, he served as International Student President, advocating for student support systems, cultural integration, and access to leadership roles. Zaheer's academic path reflects a deep commitment to understanding systems, people, and impact. He holds a law degree from the University of Exeter in the UK, and after moving to the U.S., earned both an MA in Comparative Economics and an MBA from Louisiana State University (LSU). His diverse educational background has allowed him to bridge the worlds of policy, finance, and entrepreneurship. Over the past 25 years, Zaheer has built a successful career in financial services, helping individuals and families navigate increasingly complex financial lives. He is the co-founder of Asempa Wealth Advisors, an independent advisory firm rooted in clarity, collaboration, and care. He also serves as the CEO of WealthTeamWork, a technology platform that enables financial professionals to collaborate seamlessly across disciplines, helping advisors offer a “virtual family office” experience to their clients. Beyond his professional roles, Zaheer has always prioritized service. He is a past president of the Rotary Club of Great Falls, Virginia, where he led local initiatives focused on youth engagement, community development, and international service projects. He has served on the board of Louisiana Appleseed, contributing to systemic policy work that promotes justice and equity across the state. He also served on the board of the Baton Rouge Youth Coalition (BRYC), a nonprofit that prepares high-achieving, under-resourced high school students to enter, excel in, and graduate from college. Zaheer's leadership at Maisha is deeply personal. He brings the perspective of someone who has walked the path—from scholarship recipient to global citizen, from student leader to business leader. He believes that when we invest in education, we don’t just open doors for individuals—we build stronger, more just, and more vibrant communities. Under his guidance, Maisha continues to grow its impact, ensuring that more young people have the support, resources, and encouragement to reach their full potential.

Email:[email protected]

Shafiq Kassam

Maisha Board Treasurer

Through the Maisha North America Foundation, Shafiq hopes to provide the same opportunity, blessing, and kindness he received when forging his own future.

Shafiq Kassam

Maisha Board Treasurer

Shafiq came to the United States in 1994 after completing his A-levels at the Aga Khan Mzizima Secondary School in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. He completed his Bachelor of Science Degree in Aviation Computer Science at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach Florida in Aviation Computer Science completing a 5-year degree program in 2.5 years. Shafiq’s journey to the United States became gmailgialready living in the United States. While his parents paid for his tuition expenses, it was the support of Arif Hasham and his family that made it possible for him to take a leap of faith and come to foreign country to pursue his dreams. Shafiq started his career in Telecommunications working at GTE and Verizon where he spent the first 16 years of his career rising the ranks of technology leadership. He was responsible for the launch of FiOS Quantum across the USA where his team filed 300+ patents including 25 patents that Shafiq holds as an inventor with the US patent office. Shafiq then ventured into the Financial Services domain and worked at several fortune 100 financial institutions including Barclays, Capital One, Citigroup and now at TIAA. Shafiq lives with his Family in Dallas, Texas. Through the Maisha North America Foundation, he would like to provide the same opportunity, blessing and kindness he received when he was trying to forge his future.

Email:[email protected]

Murad Dada

Maisha Board Secretary

Murad’s journey is a testament to the potential within many Tanzanian students who excel academically but face financial barriers—with the right support, they can unlock their full potential and transform their futures.

Murad Dada

Maisha Board Secretary

Murad – Board Member, Maisha Murad was born and raised in Tanzania, in the vibrant yet modest neighborhood of Dar es Salaam. His parents ran a small cosmetic store that barely made enough to cover the family’s daily needs. Watching their tireless work and sacrifices, he became determined to excel academically and create a path to a better future. Despite excelling in the Tanzanian national exams, access to information about U.S. university scholarships was limited. With few financial resources, he faced a difficult choice: borrow money from relatives or give up on his dream of pursuing higher education. His family ultimately rallied together, raising just enough to cover airfare and one semester of tuition. Although this amount was insufficient to pay for all four years of college, he was determined to try and secure a scholarship once in the U.S. Like many immigrants, Murad arrived in the U.S. with only a few dollars in his pocket but carried an unwavering determination to earn a degree from an American university. He worked night shifts at a gas station and took on odd jobs, including washing dishes in a university cafeteria, to support himself while studying. Through perseverance and the grace of Allah, he earned a scholarship to Louisiana State University, where he graduated with a bachelor’s in computer engineering and a master’s in computer science. For over 25 years, Murad has worked as an SAP solution architect, designing and implementing critical business applications that have enabled McKesson to deliver life-saving products, such as COVID vaccines, and launch new businesses generating millions in revenue. His journey is a testament to the potential within many Tanzanian students who excel academically but face financial barriers. With the right support and mentorship, these students can unlock their full potential, build brighter futures, and make meaningful contributions to their families and communities. Through Maisha, Murad is committed to ensuring that high-achieving students from East Africa receive the opportunities they need to succeed.

Email:[email protected]

Farooq Kassam

Maisha Board Member

If there is one message Farooq hopes to leave behind, it is this: with support, grit, and education, a world of possibility opens up—not just for one person, but for families and communities.

Farooq Kassam

Maisha Board Member

Farooq Kassam is a proud Tanzanian-American and currently serves as the Vice President of Architecture at Experian. His journey from Tanzania to the United States is deeply personal and filled with gratitude—especially toward his older brother, whose unwavering support and sacrifice helped him pursue higher education and build a life he once only dreamed of. He is also forever thankful to his parents, who made tremendous sacrifices to send him to a high school that set him up for success. Their belief in the power of education laid the foundation for everything that followed. After graduating high school in Tanzania in 2004, he moved to the U.S. and began his studies at North Lake College, completing his core credits before transferring to the University of Texas at Dallas, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science. That degree became the foundation for everything that followed—from an internship that led to his first full-time job at Intuit, to a career marked by persistence, long hours, and a deep desire to not only support his family but also grow as a technologist and leader. Today, he serves on the board of Maisha, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting high-achieving East African youth with financial, educational, and personal resources to succeed in college and beyond. This mission is close to his heart because he has lived that journey—and understands how life-changing access to education can be. His story is a testament to the power of opportunity, hard work, and the importance of lifting others up. If there is one message he hopes to leave behind, it is this: with support, grit, and education, a world of possibility opens up—not just for one person, but for families and communities.

Email:[email protected]

Nasreen Poptani

Maisha Board Member

Nasreen believes that investing in education is not just about individual success—it’s about creating lasting change that uplifts entire communities for generations to come.

Nasreen Poptani

Maisha Board Member

Growing up across three continents—born in the UAE, raised in Canada, and educated in the United States—Nasreen Poptani has experienced firsthand how access to education can open doors and transform lives. She earned her Biology degree from Louisiana State University (LSU), but her professional journey led her into technology, where she now works as a Program Manager for the Center for Internet Security (CIS), a leading cybersecurity organization. While her career revolves around innovation and security, her true passion lies in empowering students through education. Nasreen's belief in the power of education was deeply shaped by watching her parents. While working full-time and raising four children, they also pursued higher education. Witnessing their dedication to learning and the impact it had on their family's trajectory solidified her understanding that education is not just an individual achievement—it is an investment that influences generations to come. During her time at LSU, Nasreen worked at the International Student Office, where she supported students from diverse backgrounds as they navigated the challenges of studying abroad. This experience deepened her appreciation for the unique struggles and aspirations of students pursuing higher education, reinforcing her commitment to ensuring that others have access to the support they need to succeed. She has been actively involved in mentorship and educational initiatives, including volunteer work with the Atlas Foundation, where she helps international students learn English and gain access to opportunities and community. She believes that education is more than just knowledge—it is the key to breaking cycles of poverty and unlocking potential. As a board member of Maisha, Nasreen is dedicated to ensuring that high-achieving East African students from low-income backgrounds have the financial support, mentorship, and resources they need to thrive. She believes that investing in education creates lasting change—not just for individuals, but for entire communities. Through Maisha, she hopes to help the next generation build brighter, more empowered futures.

Email:[email protected]