MEET YOUR TEAM
Samina Anila
Samina is the President of The Syed Pillar Foundation. She is deeply involved in her community and enjoys organizing small events. Passionate about making a positive impact on the lives of those in need, Samina approaches every goal with maturity and focus, remaining committed until she achieves it. As a devout Muslim, she places her faith in Allah and believes in herself when starting any project, confident that with focus and consistency, she can accomplish her goals. In her free time, Samina enjoys engaging in art, practicing yoga, listening to lectures, and writing. Her three brave and independent daughters are her top priority, and she strives to be a guiding force in their lives. In every decision she makes, Samina considers both her daughters and her parents, determined never to disappoint them. She continuously reminds her daughters to uphold the same values.
Aqsa Ahsan
Aqsa is the Vice President and Director of Finance for Syed Pillar, supporting the President and handling all finance and treasury-related items for the organization. She is a Math and Economics graduate from The University of Texas at Austin. She currently works as a project manager for a renewable energy company, helping build large-scale wind and solar farms around North America. Aqsa is passionate about making a change at a grassroots level, and her role at Syed Pillar allows her to work on matters starting from the ground up. Her time with Syed Pillar has taught her the ins-and-outs of starting a charitable organization, the level of detail and commitment required to build something from the very beginning. She currently resides in Chicago, IL and loves to spend her free time traveling, exploring the city, and on a lazier day cooking a nice meal and reading a good book.
Mahin Ahsan
Mahin is the Director of Marketing at Syed Pillar, where she organizes campaigns and leads the team from an operational perspective. She graduated from the University of Houston with a bachelor's degree in Management Information Systems and Supply Chain Management. Currently, she works as a Software Engineer at a mid-sized consulting firm. Mahin’s love for learning and collaborating with others inspired her to join the Syed Pillar Foundation. She is passionate about art, history, and exploring different cultures around the world. Her goal on the team is to inspire passion in the lives of others. Outside of work and her involvement with Syed Pillar, Mahin enjoys working out, visiting various coffee shops in Houston, and occasionally reading.
Syed Abdullah
Abdullah is the Director of Strategy at Syed Pillar, where he designs and optimizes the organization's approach to solving both internal and external challenges. He holds a bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering from Cal Poly Pomona and works as a Project Manager at a health benefits fund. Abdullah is passionate about creativity and finding solutions to various problems. In his role at Syed Pillar, he enhances processes and initiates projects to make the organization more effective in helping those most in need. In his free time, he enjoys tinkering, exercising, and spending time with friends and family.
Our community is large,
Meet Our Partners
Shahbaz Syed
Shahbaz is the Outreach and Events Coordinator for the Syed Pillar Foundation, playing a vital role in community engagement, public awareness, and volunteer coordination. Outside of the organization, he has worked on various event design projects and fundraising campaigns, advocating for political causes, animal welfare, children's education, cultural diversity, and sports promotion. Passionate about traveling, floral design, and fusion-style fashion, Shahbaz balances these interests with his professional accomplishments, fostering a holistic and well-rounded personal and professional life.
