The Team

TEAM

Gauher Aftab Founder

Gauher Aftab is the Founder of LSU. In his professional career, he currently serves as the COO at Pledges Inc, and has over 18 years of experience scaling businesses and social impact organizations. He previously served as Country Director in Pakistan for Generation: You Employed and Chief Strategy Officer at CarFirst, acquired by Naspers Ventures in 2019. Gauher is also involved in community service and authored the 'Paasban - the Guardian' comic book series to counter violent extremism among Pakistani youth. He holds an undergraduate degree from Knox College, US with a double major in Economics and Mathematical Finance.

Moneeza Burney Director

Moneeza Burney has been associated with several development sector projects in Pakistan while working as a researcher, script writer, a freelance journalist, and leading youth programs. Since 2013, Moneeza has served as a Director of the LSU. In 2014, she launched the Community Service Initiative, LSU’s flagship program, which later branched out into LSU’s three other main programs. Over the years, she has received international recognition and awards for LSU’s work. In 2019, she was invited to speak about the ‘Role of Youth in Creating Inclusive Societies’ by the UNGA in New York, US and represent LSU at a global platform. Moneeza has also been writing for DAWN newspaper as a feature writer since 2013. Moneeza received her graduate degree from New York University, US, after completing her Masters in Near Eastern Studies as a Falak Sufi Scholar, and holds an undergraduate degree from Sheffield Hallam University, UK, in Economics.

Zoha Awais
Chief Strategy Officer

Zoha is one of LSU's oldest team member. She joined LSU as a volunteer in 2015 and soon became a part of it. She made an instrumental part in designing the various LSU programs. She completed her undergraduate and graduate degrees from Lahore School of Economics (LSE) after which she began her career as an Economist. She is currently pursuing her PhD from University of Delaware, US

Sanam Kubra Associate Director, Partnerships

Sanam Kubra is a development sector professional with over 18 years of experience working with local and international organizations. She is the Director Grants at Pledges Inc. where she focuses on strategic planning and disbursement of grants and financial aid to tech skills focused initiatives and bootcamps across Africa, MENA, and South and South-East Asia. She also serves as a facilitator and trainer conducting workshops on topical issues ranging from issues affecting children, young adults, women rights and empowerment and psychosocial support and stress management. She also serves as an Advisor at Bluvard Education Initiative's Digital Skills Program. Since 2017, Sanam has been working with LSU as an Associate Director for Partnerships.

Myra Burney Associate Director, South

Myra Burney is a multidisciplinary artist who is interested in telling stories through photography and illustration. Formally trained in Architecture Design, she is particularly interested in the relationship between people and their environment. Thus, her contribution at LSU as the Associate Director for South Region, is driven by the passion to work at grass-root level with NGOs, educational institutions and volunteers to bring a long term, positive, change within the communities across the region.

Irtaqa Riaz Program Manager

Irtaqa is associated with the development sector, driven by a strong belief in the power of community-led change and education. She has gained experience in the fields of education, research, project management and youth engagement during the four years of her professional journey. In her current role as Project Officer at Parwaaz-Akhuwat, she is involved in community-based projects focused on education and youth leadership. She first joined LSU as a volunteer and was later selected to join the LSU team as a Program Coordinator for her exceptional work. Currently, as a Program Manager at LSU, she is committed to being a part of initiatives that empower youth and contribute positively to Pakistan’s education system.