Staff Category: Executive Council

KHALID MAHMOOD is a development management and governance professional with more than 20 years of experience in large-scale development, governance and research programmes while working for government, donor, multilateral, bilateral, non-government and corporate entities. He has a strong background in programme development, management, leadership and successful delivery of quality results from concept to implementation as an outstanding performer. Together with the programme management and governance expertise, Mr. Mahmood has also conducted a number of primary and secondary research studies. He brings-in excellent communication talents with proven track record of building, retaining and leading highly efficient teams while conveying complex concepts in simply understandable manner through mentoring and coaching. Mr. Mahmood is currently serving as Senior Head of Office for a USAID-funded Pakistan Reading Project in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

BILAL ALAM is a senior management professional with experience in Human Resources, Administration and Office Management. His previous assignments include managing and running multimillion projects at national and international levels funded by USAID, EU and DFID and has worked with JSI, Aga Khan Foundation, IFES and CIDA.

IHATSHAM AKRAM brings nearly 15 years of experience in the field of public health and development in Pakistan and has worked with leading organizations, including National Maternal and Newborn and Child Health Programme and Lady Health Workers Programme at the provincial and federal levels of Government of Pakistan, National Rural Support Programme (NRSP) and Save the Children playing a critical role in scaling up of maternal, newborn and child health interventions through evidence generation, communication and policy advocacy. He had been team leader for rural health initiatives of NRSP, lead the process of development of a consensus based National MNCH Communication Strategy Framework for Pakistan and its scaling up, formation of Advocacy and Advisory Network for Newborns, launch of Every One Campaign under patronage of the then Prime Minister of Pakistan, inclusion of newborn best practices in the package endorsed by government through Karachi declaration. Lately, after joining MNH-Research and Advocacy Fund (RAF) as Policy and Advocacy Specialist he has steered the identification, funding and providing oversight to projects that have and are leading to important policy and practices changes such as inclusion of Misoprostol and Magnesium Sulphate in Essential Drug Lists and endorsements and notification of the protocols, provincial adoption International Code of Marketing for Breast Milk Substitutes, inclusion of Minimum Essential Services Package for women and children reproductive health needs in disaster management plans, resolutions on the floor of provincial assemblies for including Sexual and Reproductive Health into health policies etc. Ihatsham is also member of several important networks such as Advocacy and Advisory Network for Newborns, White Ribbon Alliance Pakistan, Population Association of Pakistan (PAP), Pakistan Reproductive Health Network, Sexual and Reproductive Health Alliance, National Academic and Advocacy Alliance Pakistan, Partners Development Group for Nutrition besides being member of MNCH related technical working groups at provincial levels.

FATIMA SHAHRYAR is an aspiring professional who after graduation in 2009 had excelled in leaps and bounds. She started her career with a USAID-funded project Pakistan Initiative for Mothers and Newborns as Program Officer for social and behavior change communication. Her experience includes working with various national and international organizations including JSI Research and Training Institute, Inc., Johns Hopkins University Center for Communication Programs (JHUCCP), Research, Advocacy and Health Strengthening Alliance, White Ribbon Alliance-Pakistan, and Save the Children. Progressing in the same field, she is now working as Communication Specialist with Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs on a Health Communication Component of USAID-funded Mother and Child Health Program. Ms. Shahryar has established extensive network with government counterparts; public health activists; communication experts; and various key figures working in the field of health. Ms. Shahryar has experience of successfully working on various publications; mass media products; and organizing policy forums and meetings.

SHAHZAD AKBAR BAJWA is procurement and logistics specialist based in Abuja, Nigeria where he has been working with John Snow Inc. since 2011. Before moving to Abuja, Nigeria, Mr. Bajwa was working as Deputy Director Administration and Logistics on a USAID-funded Pakistan Initiative for Mothers and Newborns, also with John Snow Inc.

FAYYAZ AHMAD KHAN is a long-time communication professional with over 20 years of strong communication experience. He excels at designing and implementing leadership, behavior change, advocacy and community mobilization strategies with a range of public and private sector partners, developing strategically targeted multi-media entertainment-education programs and leading capacity-building activities in media and communication. Mr. Khan has worked with Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Communication Programs since 2001, progressing from a consultant to his most recent position as Country Representative. He is currently serving as Chief of Party for a major communications project in Malawi for the Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Communication Programs. Mr. Khan has pioneered the annual Leadership and Communication Program in Pakistan and has been serving as its co-director since 2001. Besides, he is among selected master trainers who had initiated a self-awareness and motivation leadership program in Pakistan. He has a degree in media and communication from the University of London.