Uzma brings over 15 years of accounting and financial expertise across corporate and non-profit sectors in Houston. Most recently she served as Financial Controller at Catholic Charities, directing financial operations for community-wide services. Driven by a belief that every child deserves access to quality education, she founded Aspiring Futures USA to bridge that gap. Her leadership is guided by a commitment to fiscal discipline — maximizing the impact of every dollar entrusted by donors and partners.
Uzma holds an MBA in Accounting from the University of Houston and a BSc in Mathematics and Statistics from Kinnaird College, Lahore.
Rafey is President of TRIULTA and a seasoned executive with more than 23 years of global leadership across technology and innovation. He has served in C-level roles including CIO and Senior Vice President of Technology at SunGard Energy and Commodities. His career spans strategy definition, mergers and acquisitions, business integration, and building high-impact organizational partnerships. As a Partner at COBAIT, he has delivered transformative software and cybersecurity solutions across multiple industries.
Rafey holds a B.S in electrical engineering from University of Houston and brings the proven ability to scale organizations with purpose — applying his strategic vision to advance Aspiring Futures USA's mission.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rafeykazi/
Abyar Aejaz
Board Director
Abyar is an Executive Director in Project Development and a chemical engineer with nearly 20 years of experience across oil, gas, and chemical industries. She leads complex, multidisciplinary engineering projects — delivering results on time and within budget while upholding the highest safety standards.
Her expertise spans project management, budgeting, quality assurance, and mentoring the next generation of engineering professionals. Abyar holds specialized knowledge in process safety consulting, translating accepted industry standards into practical, real-world solutions.
Abyar holds Chemical Engineering degree from University of Houston. She channels her operational discipline and leadership skills into advancing Aspiring Futures USA's mission of educational equity.
Taha serves as Head of Venture Capital Investments at Aramco, overseeing a $7B+ portfolio focused on digital innovation, sustainability, and energy transition.With more than 25 years in the energy industry, he has held senior leadership roles at Chevron and Delek US, building a track record of strategic investment and portfolio growth.Taha has served on multiple corporate boards — including Utility Global, Aperio, Strohm, and Clarke Valves — championing technologies that reshape how the world produces and consumes energy.
His investment philosophy emphasizes GHG emissions reduction and ESG integration, reflecting a deep commitment to a more sustainable future.
Taha holds an MS in Business with Technology Management from Columbia University, a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Texas A&M, and a BSc in Analytical Chemistry from the University of Karachi.
Tahir is a seasoned information technology leader with deep expertise in enterprise systems, IT service management, and business process optimization. He currently serves as Operations Manager at Bulerez Consulting, where he leads IT resource planning, ERP integration, and organizational efficiency initiatives.
Throughout his career, Tahir has strengthened the technology backbone of growing organizations, enabling them to serve their communities more effectively. His dedication to social impact extends well beyond the boardroom — he has volunteered with Junior Achievement, Rebuilding Together, and multiple NGOs.
Tahir holds a BS in Electrical Engineering from the University of Oklahoma, and he brings that same analytical rigor to supporting Aspiring Futures USA's growth.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tmehmood/
Fariha Syed
Director
Director of Mentorship Programs Dental Student, Touro College of Dental Medicine
Young
Directors
Taha Asmat
Director of Humanitarian Programs & Outreach
Taha Asmat, a senior pre-med student at the University of Houston, is dedicated to service and uplifting underserved communities. As an officer for UMR, he leads humanitarian outreach efforts. At Aspiring Futures USA, Taha supports youth mentorship and education access for children in Pakistan. His compassion-driven leadership focuses on long-term change through equity and opportunity
Siraj Qureshi
Director
Siraj graduated from UPenn with a major in Economics, minors in physics and math. He has worked in finance at the Kraft-Heinz company, and most recently as a Finance Manager for a Fermented Food Holdings, a portfolio of food companies. There, he plays a pivotal role in financial planning, forecasting, business strategy, and acquisitions. Siraj has experience working in mentorship, fundraising, and strategic planning in the non-profit space, and contributes to Aspiring Futures in donor relations, event planning, and strategy. In his free time, Siraj enjoys weightlifting, hiking, and trying new foods.
Ali Syed
Director of Strategic
Communications & Mentorship
Ali Syed is a finance student at the University of Houston's Bauer College of Business, passionate about mentorship, public service, and youth development. As Project Downtown Coordinator for UMR, he leads weekly meal drives in Houston. At Aspiring Futures USA, Ali serves as a lead spokesperson, creating content and offering career guidance to students in Pakistan. With interests in ESG, financial literacy, and education access, he uses business as a tool for impact and equity
Ali Qureshi
Director - Agenda Planning
Ali Qureshi, a Kinesiology student born in Karachi, is passionate about health equity and youth engagement. He works on NIH-funded research, serves as a medical scribe, and leads wellness and cultural projects in Houston. Through Aspiring Futures, he helps shape meaningful agendas that reflect youth voices and global impact
Mohammad Sabir
Marketing and Outreach
Mohammad Sabir is a finance major at the University of Houston’s Bauer College of Business and an original member of Aspiring Futures. A key mentor, he helped shape the mentorship model and continues to guide students in career and personal growth. With interests in finance and marketing, he supports the organization’s expansion and is passionate about using business to drive equity and youth empowerment
Saarim Syed
Director of School Clubs
Saarim Syed is a junior at the American School of Dhahran and has been a dedicated member of Aspiring Futures since 2020. As Director of School Clubs, he leads the organization’s school chapter initiative, overseeing the development, management, and growth of Aspiring Futures clubs across high schools. He works closely with student leaders, supporting the long-term success of each club. Saarim is committed to building a global network of student-led communities that inspire the next generation to create a lasting impact.
