WE'RE PARENTS, GRANDPARENTS AND PROFESSIONALS LIKE YOU

Minaz B. Abji, MBA

Minaz served as Executive Vice President Asset Management for Host Hotels and Resorts from 2003 to 2017. Host is an S&P and Fortune 500 lodging-focused real estate investment trust listed on the NYSE with an enterprise value of US$17 billion. Minaz has an MBA from Rockhurst University and has completed the Advanced Management Program at Harvard University School of Business.

The American Hotel & Lodging Educational Foundation (AH&LEF) honored Minaz with the 2016 Above and Beyond Humanitarian Award for his work in leadership training and mentoring, and for providing scholarships to the next generation of young hoteliers. Minaz sits on several Boards, including the Board of Directors of the American Hotel Income Properties REIT LP.

In addition to his role as Chairman and founding Director of IREAD USA, Minaz is a member of the board of IREAD, IREAD USA’s Canadian sister organization. A resident of Bellevue, Washington, Minaz was keen to establish IREAD USA in response to the growing number of US residents wishing to support IREAD’s mission. Minaz’s strong governance and resource development skills are of significant benefit to both organizations.

Zahir Lavji, M.Sc., MBA

Zahir grew up in Uganda and emigrated to Canada in 1972, where he received an M.Sc. Pharmacology from University of Toronto and an MBA from McMaster University. In 1989, Zahir moved to the US to join Abbott, a Fortune 500 healthcare company. He held various senior management positions at Abbott including President, Abbott Japan; Vice President, Global Commercial Operations Diabetes Division before retiring in 2012 as Vice President, International Marketing and Corporate Officer.

Since retiring, Zahir has dedicated significant time and expertise mentoring healthcare startups. He is Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Temple Therapeutics, a clinical stage biotechnology company and serves on the Steering Committee of the University of Chicago’s Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. Zahir was part of a medical mission to Tajikistan in 2019 to support the Aga Khan Medical Center and Regional Cardiology Center in Khorog.

Zahir is passionate about education and believes it to be the single greatest equalizer opening doors of opportunity. His work as a founding member of the Sonia Shah Organization, which built a school for girls in Kangra, Pakistan and his work with IREAD USA reflects that passion.

Zahir is blessed with two wonderful daughters, a son-in-law, and a beautiful granddaughter. He presently resides in Chicago, Illinois with his wife Rozmin.

Shaneeda Jaffer, B.A., M.A., J.D.

Shaneeda is an attorney with Clarence Dyer & Cohen LLP in San Francisco. Her practice focuses on representing individuals and corporations facing complex criminal charges and investigations. She also represents clients in civil matters including employment disputes, whistleblower claims, and mass torts. Shaneeda has been recognized for her criminal defense skills as a Northern California Super Lawyers Rising Star every year since 2012. She received her J.D. from New York University School of Law in 2007, and an M.A. in Sociology and a B.A. in American Studies from Stanford University in 2002.

Shaneeda has served as a legal intern with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Tanzania and was a recipient of the NYU Global Justice and Human Rights Fellowship. She also has represented prisoners in civil rights actions against New York state police officers and prison guards. Shaneeda has a passion for justice and is a fierce advocate for civil and human rights.

Shaneeda is honoured to serve on the board of North Shore Restorative Justice Society and on the Board of Governors of Stratford Hall World IB School in Vancouver. When not working, Shaneeda enjoys traveling, exploring the outdoors, and going on adventures with her husband and two young daughters.

Laila Bandali, BSc.

Laila is Chief Operating Officer of Ivy Kids Early Learning Centre, which she founded with her husband in 2003. Ivy Kids grew out of their eagerness to make certain their own children benefited from the many proven benefits of quality early education, including a strong start to lifelong learning and advanced social skills. Ivy kids has grown to become a premier provider of early childhood education in Texas, with 20 corporate and franchised locations. Laila oversees operations, curriculum development, quality assurance, marketing, training, licensing, and compliance reporting.

Prior to starting Ivy Kids, Laila worked as a chemical engineer. Working in senior positions in the oil and gas sector provided a strong grounding in establishing processes, applying scientific methodologies, and increasing efficiency—knowledge that has been applied to Ivy Kids and critical to its success.

In addition to volunteering on the board of IREAD USA, where she is fulfilling her lifelong dream of helping children in her home country of Uganda, Laila is on the board of the Aga Khan Education Board (AKEB) USA. She is responsible for their USA Jamati ECD program, overseeing curriculum development, center operations and volunteer training.

Laila lives in Missouri, Texas with her husband, Alnoor.