Amber Khan
Our Team Back to Team After graduating from West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine, Amber Khan went on to pursue health education. She has been a Muslim youth health educator since 2010. She teaches health education at schools and community centers focusing on physical, social, mental, reproductive, and sexual health education. She is also the […]
Omar Shareef
Our Team Back to Team Dr. Omar Shareef is an MD, MBA dual-degree graduate of St. George’s University School of Medicine. He completed psychiatry residency at Nassau University Medical Center, and fellowship training in Community Psychiatry as well as certification training in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy and Transference-Focused Psychotherapy at Columbia University. He currently practices at Creedmoor […]
Rana Khalaf
Our Team Back to Team Rana Khalaf Is a Community Educator at The Family and Youth Institute. She holds a Master’s in Educational Psychology and a post-graduate degree in principal-ship and K-12 school administration. She has served as a parent coordinator then as the dean of students in schools in Dearborn, Michigan. Currently, she is […]
Duaa Haggag
Duaa Haggag, LPC is a Community Educator with The Family & Youth Institute. She holds a Master’s degree in counseling, with a dual certificate in school and community counseling. She currently works in private practice as a child, adolescent, and family therapist at Silent Sunlight Counseling. Her interests include group, play, and art therapy.
Alaa Mohammad Shareef MA, Ed.M
Our Team Back to Team Alaa Shareef is a researcher, curriculum developer, and community educator with The Family & Youth Institute, where she creates and implements programs to advance Muslim mental health literacy, advocacy, and family wellness. She holds dual Master’s degrees in Clinical Psychology and Mental Health Counseling from Columbia University and a Diploma […]
Steven Hernandez
Our Team Back to Team Steven Hernandez is a Community Educator at The Family and Youth Institute. He earned his Bachelor’s in History and Anthropology from the University of Michigan-Dearborn and is trained in several marriage-education and enrichment programs for singles, couples, and youth. He is currently the Corporate Social Responsibility Compliance Specialist for Flagstar Bank. His […]
Maryum Khwaja
Maryum Khwaja, LCSW is a Community Educator with The FYI with over twenty years of mental health experience. As a licensed clinical social worker in New York and Massachusetts, she has worked in child protective services, mental health clinics, and as a therapist. She co-founded Nasiha Counseling, a private practice specializing in Muslim clients, and currently provides mental health support at Boston Medical Center’s Adult Day Health program.
Hanan Hashem
Dr. Hanan Hashem is a Researcher and Community Educator at The Family and Youth Institute. Dr. Hanan Hashem is also an Assistant Professor in the Clinical Psychology Department at William James College in Boston, Massachusetts, where she specializes in teaching topics concerning cultural considerations in the field of psychology; lifespan development; psychopathology; and psychological research methods.
Amal Killawi
Our Team Back to Team Amal Killawi serves on the Board of Directors and is a Research Fellow and Community Educator at The Family and Youth Institute. She holds a Master’s in Social Work, a Certificate in Sexual Health, and a Bachelor’s in Psychology from the University of Michigan. She is currently pursuing her PhD in […]
Madiha Tahseen
Dr. Madiha Tahseen is the Research Director and a Community Educator at The Family and Youth Institute. She holds a Ph.D. in Applied Developmental Psychology from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Her research expertise is in positive youth development amongst Muslim-American youth, particularly focusing on the role of cultural and religious contexts in character development among minority populations.
Nadeem Siddiqi
Dr. Nadeem Siddiqi is a dedicated community leader, educator, and professional with over 30 years of experience in community organizing. He currently serves as the Chair of the Board of Directors of The Family and Youth Institute (The FYI), where he provides strategic guidance to support its mission of empowering youth and families.
Sameera Ahmed
Dr Sameera Ahmed is the founder of The Family and Youth Institute and served as its Executive Director from 2006-2025. She holds a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University.
Dr. Ahmed is a leading expert on American Muslim youth and has produced numerous groundbreaking publications, including The State of American Muslim Youth, Uplifting Black Muslim Youth, Prevalence of Risk Behaviors of US Muslim College Students, and Alcohol Use Among US Muslim College Students.