Safa is managed by a team of passionate people committed to the cause and with the belief that empowerment begins with education and income generation.
The team has diverse competencies ranging from development work to sales and marketing. In addition to a managing committee Safa has an advisory board and is working together with mentor organisations of international repute.
Rubina Nafees Fatima – founder president & ceo
Rubina was a successful business entrepreneur in trainings and placements for the travel/tourism industry for seven years. In her previous roles she has volunteered and been on the board of various social ventures. She as a graduate from Osmania University in Hyderabad with trainings in social entrepreneurship (Centre for Social Initiatives and Management, Hyd), business planning (Social-Impact, USA) and livelihood initiatives (Akshara, Hyd). Rubina was also been awarded the Sadguru Gnananda Fellowship 2010 for Women Social Entrepreneurs. She has been featured in many publications and was on the jury for evaluating the Global Social Venture competition (GSVC – 2010). She also gives guest lectures in various colleges on social ventures and issues.
Fareesa Khan – vice president
A founder member and currently vp, Fareesa is an Arts graduate from Osmania University with a post graduation in public relations. She has been at the management level in the business and sales operations of a multinational company since twelve years. Fareesa has worked in diverse areas from operations to sales and finance. Actively involved in fund raising, networking and public relations strategy. She has contributed effectively to various other voluntary organisations in the past. With Safa since inception.
T V Sushant – executive member
Associated with Safa since 2007, Sushant is an engineer and has experience of five years in project management and operations in a commercial venture. Operations, sales and networking skills are his main area of expertise.
Shabnam Shaikh – executive commitee member
Shabnam, a post graduate in human resource management, has over five years of rich experience in operations, personnel management, hiring & employee relations. Presently associated with a Fortune 500 company based in Hyderabad. She has been involved in various social welfare activities with NGO’s.
advisory council:
Dr K L Srivastava
M. Tech. (IIT Kharagpur) is a specialist in natural resource management and sustainable rural development. After working as a university teacher in Orissa and as senior scientist at ICRISAT Hyderabad, he has been working in the NGO sector in AP for over twelve years.
Since June 2006, he is heading the Centre of Social Initiative and Management (CSIM) Hyderabad where he also teaches courses in NGO Management and Social Entrepreneurship. He has also taught social entrepreneurship courses at ICFAI School of Public Policy and International Institute of Information Technology, Hyderabad. In addition, he is Nodal Director of the CHILDLINE Project for assisting and protecting disadvantaged children in Hyderabad. In these roles, he has been interacting with several NGOs and business schools for promoting social entrepreneurship concepts and tools for improving social work practice.
Beesyna Majid
After an undergraduate degree in International Studies from Hollins University (2005), Beesyna Majid has recently graduated with a MA in Governance and Development at the Institute of Development Studies at the University of Sussex (2009). She has over four years of work experience with both national and international NGOs, and Government offices in the United States, India and Saudi Arabia. Since 2008, Beesyna has provided Safa with support in conducting research for new funding opportunities; project creation, implementation and expansion; and identifying possible partners.
Marja van den Ouden
Marja works as director in human resource management in the Netherlands and has over 15 years of experience in this field. She has been connected with Safa since 2009 and is, along with Angela Baas, supporting the organisation through commercial, promotional and fundraising activities. Marja visits Safa each year for support.
Angela Baas
Angela has twenty years of experience in marketing and communications. She worked for several companies in retail, ict, banking, non-profit and business services. At HEMA, one of the biggest retail brands of the Netherlands, she is senior communication advisor for internal en corporate communication issues. In October 2009 Angela worked together with Rubina Mazhar on a marketing plan for Safa. Since then she supports the organisation and is member of the advisory council.