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Meet the Team

We are people helping people.

Our Leadership

Mahmood Qasim

Chief Executive Officer

With over 20 years of leadership across continents, Mahmood brings a rare blend of strategic vision and hands-on impact to IDRF, spearheading international programs, building partnerships with governments and donors, and championing communities at every scale.

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Nabil Ali

Chief Operating Officer

With over a decade of frontline humanitarian experience, Nabil brings operational depth and strategic clarity to IDRF, leading teams across finance, marketing, and fundraising while designing programs that move communities from crisis to self-reliance.

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Board of Directors

Reza Rizvi

Co-chair

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Yasmeena Mohamed

Co-chair

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Marzia Habib-Hassan

Vice chair

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Muhammad Munshi

Vice chair

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Mukhtar Rahemtulla

Board member

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Nurhan Aycan

General secretary

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Zeib Jeeva

Board member

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Muzna Ahmad

Board member

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Alain Daya

Board member

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Hiba Abdou

Board member

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Join our team

At IDRF, we are driven by compassion, innovation, and a shared commitment to creating lasting change. Be part of a dynamic team that works to improve lives globally through impactful programs and partnerships.

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Mahmood Qasim

Chief Executive Officer

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Mahmood Qasim is a distinguished leader in the nonprofit sector, bringing over 20 years of transformative leadership across continents. With a remarkable ability to blend vision with action, Mahmood has redefined charity management and business development, leaving a legacy of innovation, sustainable growth, and meaningful impact.

Renowned for his strategic acumen and collaborative approach, Mahmood excels in governance, resource mobilization, and mission-driven execution.

Under his stewardship, organizations have achieved unprecedented success, marked by inclusivity, operational excellence, and expanded community impact.

His leadership ethos centers on capacity building and fostering partnerships that deliver tangible, lasting change.Throughout his career, Mahmood has spearheaded groundbreaking international development programs, cultivated deep relationships with donors, and forged strategic alliances with governments, corporations, and grassroots movements.

His expertise spans program design, financial stewardship, and stakeholder engagement, positioning him as a trusted authority in driving equitable opportunities and systemic change.

A visionary and compassionate changemaker, Mahmood is committed to empowering communities and reimagining the future of the nonprofit sector. His unwavering dedication to innovation and impact continues to inspire and shape the path forward for organizations worldwide.

Nabil Ali

Chief Operating Officer

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Nabil Ali is a seasoned nonprofit leader whose career is defined by responding to major humanitarian crises around the world. His expertise lies in designing and executing impactful projects that empower underprivileged communities to achieve self-reliance and sustainability.

Nabil is adept at optimizing nonprofit operations by ensuring efficient resource utilization and aligning priorities with strategic goals. His leadership has driven improvements across Finance, Marketing, Human Resources, and Fundraising teams, enhancing organizational performance and operational efficiency.

A relationship builder and strategist, Nabil has spearheaded transformative initiatives, including Guyana’s first national non-clinical mental health intervention program. Designed with support from Global Affairs Canada, the five-year resilience-focused program launched in 2022, addressing critical community needs.

Nabil remains committed to creating sustainable change, fostering collaborative partnerships, and streamlining processes to deliver measurable impact. His dedication to uplifting communities continues to drive innovation and excellence in nonprofit operations worldwide.

Reza Rizvi

Co-Chair

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With over 20 years in the technology industry, Reza has built a stellar career in creative and content markets, including Visual Effects (VFX), Game Development, and Virtual/Augmented Reality.

A dynamic leader, he excels in building high-performing teams, driving growth, and developing innovative business models. At Autodesk, Reza held pivotal roles on the Americas Sales Leadership Team and the Global M&E Business Management Team, contributing to market expansion and operational excellence.

A Dalhousie University graduate, Reza is passionate about mentorship and community service. As the founder of Children of Hope and co-founder of Help The Hungry, he lives by the mantra: “The happiest people are those giving more.” His volunteer roles with the City of Pickering’s Accessibility Advisory Committee and Dalhousie’s Students Union reflect his commitment to creating positive impact.

Yasmeena Mohamed

Co-Chair

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 Yasmeena is a seasoned legal professional specializing in labor, employment, and human rights law. As an arbitrator, mediator, and workplace investigator, she excels at resolving conflicts and fostering inclusive workplace environments. Yasmeena also provides human rights training and teaches Advocacy and Alternative Dispute Resolution at Toronto Metropolitan University, as well as Labour Law at George Brown College.
 
The founder of YM Arbitration & Mediation Services, she has over a decade of experience resolving workplace disputes efficiently. Holding dual law degrees from Queen’s University and the University of Witwatersrand, her expertise spans civil, administrative, and human rights law.
 
Yasmeena has held pivotal roles, including Senior Labour Counsel for the Ontario Government, Vice Chair for the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario and Labour Relations Board, and Member of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, contributing to equitable adjudication and systemic justice.
 
A dedicated IDRF Board member for 13 years, Yasmeena is passionate about supporting vulnerable communities and advancing humanitarian aid efforts.

  

Marzia Habib-Hassan

Vice Chair

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Marzia Hassan is a highly skilled Marriage and family therapist with over a decade of experience at Family Connections International, where she has been helping couples, parents, and families build healthier relationships since 2010.

Through her compassionate approach and expertise in mental health and psychotherapy, Marzia empowers her clients to navigate challenges and foster meaningful connections. Her dedication to improving family dynamics has made her a trusted guide for individuals seeking to strengthen their relationships and enhance their emotional well-being.

Marzia holds an LLB and an MSW from the University of Toronto, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and English Literature from Williams College.

Beyond her professional work, Marzia is deeply committed to causes that include arts and culture, children, education, poverty alleviation, and social services. Her unique blend of legal, social work, and therapeutic expertise enables her to approach family and relationship challenges with a holistic and impactful perspective.

Muhammad Munshi

Vice Chair

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 Dr. Muhammad Munshi is a Radiologist at Trillium Health Partners in Mississauga, Ontario, and an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto. As an advocate for many community and humanitarian initiatives, Dr. Munshi is passionate about issues of social justice, global health, and sustainable development.

He serves as a Vice Chair of the Board of Directors of the International Development and Relief Foundation, working to improve health and well-being in some of the world’s most vulnerable communities.  

As a Telemedicine Radiology Specialist for Doctors Without Borders, he provides critical Diagnostic Imaging support to remote and underserved communities worldwide. His dedication to improving health outcomes globally is further demonstrated by his active commitment as a volunteer teacher and mentor within the Radiology Residency Program in Georgetown, Guyana via Rad-Aid International. 

 

  

Mukhtar Rahemtulla

Board Member

Mr. Rahemtulla is the CEO of ERS Scale, a corporation serving non-profit employment agencies. Previously, he co-founded and led AWI, growing it into a multi-million-dollar business after acquiring Bell Canada Fleet Technology. He has also provided executive consulting services to Smart Telecom, part of the Aga Khan Development Network in East Africa, and other organizations.

As Senior VP at Infosat, a BCE division, he expanded the start-up into a $54M global enterprise. Beginning his career at Telesat in satellite telecommunications, he brings expertise in engineering, business growth, and strategic leadership.

Mr. Rahemtulla holds a B.A.Sc. in Electrical Engineering and an MBA from the University of British Columbia. Educated in Uganda and the Royal University of Malta, he is deeply committed to community service, supporting international nonprofits and serving as a Board member of CANHAVE Children’s Centre.

Nurhan Aycan

General Secretary

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Nurhan Aycan is a partner at Dentons’ Toronto office and a key member of its corporate group, specializing in mergers and acquisitions, capital markets, and private equity. With over 25 years of experience, he advises Canadian and international clients on complex corporate matters, particularly high-growth companies.

Nurhan’s background includes serving as general counsel for a multinational plastic products company and managing director for an international private equity fund. His notable transactions include Cummins Inc.’s acquisition of Hydrogenics Corporation and the sale of MyHealth Partners Inc. A frequent speaker at international conferences, he is recognized for his expertise in Canadian securities law and cross-border transactions.

Committed to community engagement, Nurhan serves on the boards of client companies and Canadian charities. He has been featured in the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory and has received accolades, including the 2023 OBA Lauren D. Rachlin Award for Excellence in International Business Law.

Zeib Jeeva

Board Member

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Zeib Jeeva is a dedicated leader with decades of experience in international development and Canadian programs. A committed humanitarian, he played a key role in the South African freedom movement and continues to drive global change. He has served on the IDRF Board of Directors since 1990 and as Chair of the Board at Licensed to Learn since 2012.

Professionally, Zeib has held leadership roles in technology, including Managing Director of Cover-All Computer Services Corp. (1989–2017) and Manager of Computer Services at StorageTek (1981–1998). He was also an Advisory Council Member for the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund (Canada) from 1998 to 2011.

Zeib holds a Computer Science degree from York University and an Inter Science qualification from Forman Christian College, combining technical expertise with a passion for social impact.

Muzna Ahmad

Board Member

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Muzna Ahmad is a researcher at the Temerty Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto. She holds a Doctor of Medicine (MD) from St. Matthew’s University and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Toronto.

With nearly a decade of experience in Emergency Medicine at The Hospital for Sick Children, Muzna brings strong clinical insight and research expertise to her work. She has extensive experience working with vulnerable populations and is committed to advancing equitable health outcomes through practical, scalable solutions.

As a board member, she contributes collaborative leadership in support of IDRF’s mission.

Alain Daya

Board Member

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Alain Daya brings over 12 years of profound expertise in organization transformation, operational strategy, and change management. His deep-seated experience in driving adoption, sustaining new ways of working, and accelerating outcomes has made him a pivotal figure in supporting clients through transformative journeys. Originally from Madagascar, where he was born and grew up, Alain pursued his studies in France where he lived for 15 years. Educationally, Alain holds an MBA in Strategy and Organization Transformation, and a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering. 

  Deeply interested in Islamic Philosophy and Ethics, Alain is  committed to social responsibility and making an impact that matters, actively supporting community centers and leaders by offering his consulting experience and expertise. He has invested time in supporting educational and development programs, both for youth and adults.

Alain founded the Green Dot Salam community in Deloitte, intending to provide a platform for Muslim professionals and their allies to connect, be heard, feel supported and learn from one another, especially in the troubled times that we are living in today. The community hopes to inspire professionals to bring their full selves to work and create a network of support and allyship within the workplace – all while embodying the true spirit of peace.  

Hiba Abdou

Board Member

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Hiba is the National Insurance Sector Leader for Deloitte’s Risk Advisory business, and the National Cyber partner for the Insurance Sector in Canada. In her client service global leadership roles, Hiba helps clients realize their strategy by shaping, architecting and delivering secure and trustworthy innovative and transformational change journeys. Hiba is a trusted business advisor to global fortune 500 Insurers.