FOUNDING TEAM AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The story of NCPDO is of an improbable friendship and of the ability that people to understand each other and come together despite the vastly different contexts of their lives, understanding that we are more similar than we are different. We were brought together by the genuine commitment of a young man (Rahmatullah Hamraz) in Afghanistan determined to bring about change in his society. The international team serving in the leadership of NCPDO partly met at the American University of Afghanistan, and partly as part of the inaugural class of Obama Foundation Scholars, where they completed a master’s degree program on International Development and Policy at the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy.

  • Rahmatullah Hamraz

    FOUNDER, DIRECTOR AND BOARD MEMBER

    Rahmatullah Hamraz, an economist and peace advocate, brought together a group of diverse individuals, who are building this partnership on the foundation of friendship made possible by a common commitment to put their knowledge and skills in service of a vision of global peace. He pursued his education in spite of numerous obstacles posed by his immediate context to become a unique voice for peace and development in his country. He has worked with institutions, institutes and non-profit organizations to contribute to his society finding its way to peaceful coexistence, and this initiative is a part of that unwavering commitment.

  • Mario Mažić

    CO-FOUNDER AND CHAIRMAN OF BOARD

    Mario Mažić, from Croatia, who joined Rahmatullah as the co-founder of NCPDO, is a political scientist/analyst, an entrepreneur and an advocate for democracy and reconciliation in his nation and the Western Balkans region. He established and led a youth organization for human rights in Croatia and several initiatives and coalitions that still contribute to social change today. He focuses on organizational development and advises organizations and foundations contributing to peacebuilding, democracy and human rights.

  • Nelly Awad

    MEMBER, BOARD OF DIRECTORS

    Nelly Awad, who is at home both in Lebanon and Jordan, is a development practitioner, researcher and storyteller working to facilitate collective action in support of the communities most exposed to various forms of physical, economic and social risks and deprivation, such as migrants and refugees and those hit by catastrophes and crises.

  • Edem Ossai,

    MEMBER, BOARD OF DIRECTORS

    Edem Ossai, from Nigeria, is a lawyer, the founder and leader of an organization working to empower and engage young people in realizing their positive development and accessing pathways to active economic, social, and civic participation while contributing to advancement of societies in Nigeria and Africa.

  • Sayed Tamim Wadan

    MEMBER, BOARD OF DIRECTORS

    Sayed Tamim, from Afghanistan, has extensive experience in development and humanitarian sectors, and a track-record of contributions to peacebuilding. He is a trained expert in Conflict Sensitivity using the Do No Harm approach. He has also initiated many volunteer activities in Afghanistan, especially during Covid-19 lockdown, to address food insecurity of the Afghans in the absence of a social security system. He has worked in the public sector as well and currently he serves as Peacebuilding Program Manager in an Afghan Non-Profit.

  • Anita Safi

    MEMBER, BOARD OF DIRECTORS

    Anita Safi, from Afghanistan and Iran, currently lives in Germany where she is pursuing a graduate degree in quantitative economics. She has extensive experience in Development practice, both in social and economic development, and relevant part of this experience in Afghanistan, where she worked with agencies in the sector of commerce and industry, as well as with international non-profit organizations.

EXECUTIVE TEAM

  • Aqlima Amiri

    DEPUTY DIRECTOR

  • Naqiburahman Ziaye

    FINANCE OFFICER

Other People

Apart from these individuals, who currently serve in NCPDO’s leadership, the organization has a network of supporters, advisors, and friends who often participate in its meetings and support its programming and development. They are also a group of leaders and contributors in development agencies, local and international non-profit and intergovernmental organizations, as well as at universities and research institutes. Going forward, the NCPDO will continue to pursue building its diverse community both in Afghanistan and among those who wish it well around the world.