The Quiet Power of Private Giving: Redefining Charity Beyond the Spotlight
When most people think of charity, they imagine large fundraisers, flashy events, and public campaigns. But for me, giving has always been something quieter, more personal—and deeply meaningful. My approach to philanthropy is private and intentional. It’s not about recognition or applause; it’s about impact and heart. Growing up between Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the United […]
Raising Resilient Children with a Multicultural Identity
A Journey Across Borders As a mother, one of my most important responsibilities—and greatest joys—is helping my children discover who they are. For our family, that journey includes something unique and beautiful: a multicultural identity. I was born in Afghanistan, spent part of my childhood in Pakistan, and moved to the United States as a […]
Baking as Bonding: How Kitchen Time Builds Family Connections and Teaches Life Skills
More Than Just a Sweet Treat Baking is one of those quiet joys in life that often gets overlooked. For me, it’s more than a hobby or a way to satisfy a sweet tooth—it’s a space where my children and I connect, laugh, make a mess, and learn from one another. The kitchen has become […]
How Engineers Think About Health: Applying Systems Thinking to Personal Wellness
As a chemical engineer, I’ve been trained to approach problems with structure, logic, and precision. When I worked in biomimetics research or managed engineering projects in the medical field, everything came down to systems—how inputs, outputs, and feedback loops worked together to create desired results. Over time, I realized that this systems-based mindset doesn’t just […]
Transitioning from Corporate to Self-Employment: Lessons from an Engineer’s Journey
Leaving the security of a corporate job isn’t something most engineers are encouraged to do. Our world is built around structure, consistency, and predictability—things we’re trained to value and uphold. But at some point, I started to feel that the structured path I had worked so hard to build was no longer in alignment with […]
From Nature to Lab: How Biomimetics is Revolutionizing Modern Engineering
Discovering the Genius of Nature Growing up between Afghanistan and Pakistan, I was constantly surrounded by natural beauty—rugged mountains, resilient plants, intricate ecosystems that somehow thrived in even the harshest climates. I didn’t know it at the time, but those early observations of nature’s quiet brilliance would eventually shape my career path in engineering. Years […]