Building Bridges. Opening Minds. Empowering Communities.
April 2021
APF Welcomes New Board Members
Kalsoom Lakhani
General Partner
i2i Ventures
Dr. Syra Madad
Senior Director
NYC Health + Hospitals
Asad Malik
CEO
Jadu AR
We proudly welcome Kalsoom Lakhani, Asad Malik, and Dr. Syra Madad to the APF Board of Directors.

Kalsoom Lakhani is the Co-founder & General Partner at i2i Ventures, an early stage VC fund for Pakistan, and the country’s first female-led fund. She is also a non-resident Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council. Her formidable efforts in building Pakistan's startup ecosystem have empowered Pakistani communities while also shaping a better understanding between Americans and Pakistanis.

Asad Malik is CEO of Jadu AR and an augmented-reality artist and director. His work engages virtual reality and artificial intelligence (AI) to foster impactful socio-political change that improves the human condition. His project "Terminal 3" incorporated AI to highlight the stories of young Muslim immigrants. APF looks forward to engaging Asad in our own efforts to share Pakistani American stories.

Dr. Syra Madad (D.H. Sc., M.Sc., MCP) is a renowned epidemiologist and public health leader in special pathogen preparedness and response. She is Senior Director of the System-wide Special Pathogens Program at New York City Health + Hospitals and was featured in the 2020 Netflix documentary series Pandemic: How to Prevent an Outbreak. Syra's public health experience and thought leadership will advance APF's pandemic relief efforts.
"It is an honor to welcome Kalsoom Lakhani, Asad Malik, and Dr. Syra Madad to the APF Board of Directors. Their exemplary leadership and professional achievements will strengthen APF's efforts to mentor the next generation of future leaders. I look forward to working with them to advance the APF mission of building bridges and empowering communities."

Dr. Nasar Qureshi
Chair, APF Board of Directors
Upcoming Events
APF Joins KindWorks for Ramzan Service Activity on May 8 @ 5 PM EST

APF is proud to partner with KindWorks, an organization that mobilizes individuals in volunteer service, for a virtual service activity with Kazi Mannan, owner of the Sakina Grill in Washington, D.C. Mr. Mannan will join and lead us in making Hot and Sour Chicken Soup. Please join us via Zoom as we cook together, enough for our own family’s dinner, plus enough to freeze and deliver meals for 4 families affected by COVID19, so that they too can enjoy a delicious and nutritious meal. Participation Details

Leo Twins Concert on Eid-Al-Fitr on May 14 @ 9 PM EST

The Leo Twins, featuring Sharoon and Haroon Leo, are instrumental musicians hailing from Pakistan. Join APF for an online performance of traditional and classical music with a modern twist. The performance will stream on YouTube at this link. Learn more.
Join the APF Team
APF is hiring for a full-time Director of Research & Operations to oversee the Foundation’s operations and research. The role offers an opportunity to work in a dynamic and startup-like environment that encourages creativity and out of the box thinking.
APF Events Recap
Countering Violent Extremism in Pakistan: Sociologist Dr. Anita Weiss discussed her new book Countering Violent Extremism in Pakistan, with writer and policy analyst Raza Rumi. Watch
Pakistan's Political Parties: Dr. Mariam Mufti, Dr. Sarah Khan, and Dr. Christopher Clary addressed politics and democracy in Pakistan as discussed in the new book Pakistan's Political Parties. Watch
Entrepreneurship in a Globalized World: This APF webinar discussed the Austin+PAK Entrepreneurship Program which connected American and Pakistan entrepreneurs together for mentorship and business opportunities. Watch
30 Days - Stories of Gratitude, Traditions, and Wisdom: Storyteller Salma Hasan Ali discussed her new book 30 Days which explores how we can all take part in the spirit of Ramzan. Watch
The APF Blog
Author Saadia Faruqi on Dispelling Myths + Stereotypes

As a new immigrant from Pakistan to Texas, Saadia Faruqi saw pervasive backlash against Muslims after 9/11. It sparked her interest in building interfaith dialogue and led to the creation of a book series about a charismatic young girl named Yasmin. Read More

A Pakistani American's First Visit to Pakistan

APF Blog Writer Noah Usman writes: “I only related to Pakistan very distantly throughout my childhood, as I did not set foot in the country from the ages of two to eighteen.” Read More
Good mentorship is a symbiotic experience that can be enriching for both mentor and mentee alike. APF Mentee Hamna Khuld and APF Mentor Dr. Uzma Iqbal shared a valuable experience of mentorship on the APF Connect platform.

Together, we will empower communities and build bridges.
Help APF expand its reach & impact in the United States and Pakistan.