The Ismaili Connection

Rasool Verjee, originally from Kenya, has gone through many ups and downs and different journeys throughout his life. Having to learn to be independent early on in his education years and discover what career path he wanted to pursue through university, there have been many roadblocks as well as triumphs of success. In Rasool’s later years he was blindsided by a medical emergency

Aahil and Zohran are the founders and owners of Safekids.ai, an open source that intercepts inappropriate content and teaches children how to make safer choices. During COVID Zohran and Aahil had noticed alot of their peers consuming more of their time on their phones and on the web. They wanted to create a platform that would make the internet a safer place to use. Still being in

Ashraf is the founder and owner of the Heritage Collection, a South Asian fashion brand she started 17 years ago. In 2022, she became one of the first Ismaili fashion designers to display her work at New York Fashion Week. The event happens semi-annually and gives designers from around the world an opportunity to showcase their latest designs and work. Growing up in Pakistan, Ashra

Ashraf is the founder and owner of the Heritage Collection, a South Asian fashion brand she started 17 years ago. In 2022, she became one of the first Ismaili fashion designers to display her work at New York Fashion Week. The event happens semi-annually and gives designers from around the world an opportunity to showcase their latest designs and work. Growing up in Pakistan, Ashra

Riaz Patel serves as an Executive Producer/Director in Los Angeles, specializing in transformative and perspective-shifting TV series and media projects. With two Emmy Award nominations and an NAACP Image Award, he creatively leads shows for major networks like NBC/Universal, Lifetime, Discovery, and others. Riaz’s productions span 21 countries, distributed globally by A&E, M

Riaz Patel serves as an Executive Producer/Director in Los Angeles, specializing in transformative and perspective-shifting TV series and media projects. With two Emmy Award nominations and an NAACP Image Award, he creatively leads shows for major networks like NBC/Universal, Lifetime, Discovery, and others. Riaz’s productions span 21 countries, distributed globally by A&E, M

Zain A. Gulamali is a technology executive, corporate and business development leader, and venture capital / growth equity investor with nearly 20 years of experience in enterprise, consumer, and healthcare technology investing, as well as strategy, M&A, business development, and startup operations. He is currently Head of Amazon Catalytic Capital (fund-of-funds supporting unde

Shireen Abdullah is a foodie with a passion for problem-solving. Growing a culturally competent nutrition platform that connects individuals to dietitians. After spending most of her career as a project manager and management consultant, Shireen decided to change paths and pursue her passion to become a “nutri-prenuer.” While managing her own illness, she realized the importanc

For almost a decade now, Sohail Zindani has helped companies build and sustain learning culture through his dynamic, result oriented and focused training and consulting interventions. With the mission of “promoting learning, no matter what”, Sohail is one of the Pakistan’s most sought-after trainer, consultant, thought-leader and keynote speaker. He is arguably the most provo

Shelmina’s life purpose is to advance gender and racial equality in leadership roles. She is an author,, board member, TedX speaker, former IBM V.P., angel investor and a distinguished alumni. Shelmina comes from humble beginnings in Tanzania. Driven by her desire to lift herself out of poverty, she left home at 15 to pursue higher education. Through many trials, tribulations and