Master of Ceremonies

Reba Meigs – UC San Diego Center for Community Health (CCH), Refugee Immigrant Health Unit (RIHU)

Reba Meigs (she/her) is a Senior Project Officer supporting the Afghan Refugee School Impact (ARSI) & Afghan Youth Mentoring (AYM) Program. Reba’s role includes planning and managing the statewide ARSI and AYM programs as part of the community-led transformation model to support a communities of practice approach to organizational capacity building and skill-based trainings.

Reba has nearly 20 years of public health experience at the state and county level, and in academic and non-profit settings. She has extensive strategic planning and implementation experience in federal and state funding models, evaluation frameworks, training and skill development methodologies, and community collaboration.  Reba has designed, implemented, and evaluated large-scale community-based programs and has provided evidence-based capacity building guidance for health policies, legislative bills, systems, and environmental change initiatives throughout the state of California.

Opening Keynote Speakers

Hashim Wahdatyar – UC San Diego Center for Community Health (CCH), Refugee Immigrant Health Unit (RIHU)

Hashim Wahdatyar (he/him) is a Project Officer supporting the Afghan Refugee School Impact (ARSI) & Afghan Youth Mentoring (AYM) Program. With over 15 years of experience, Hashim served international organizations in various capacities, including as Spokesperson for United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in Afghanistan, and Program Officer, Regional Program for Afghanistan, and Neighboring Countries, managed the Center for Civilians in Conflict’s programs for the Middle East and South Asia, and served as Program Director at the Institute of Current World Affairs in Washington DC.

Carolina Sheinfeld – California Department of Social Services, Office of Immigrant Youth

Carolina Sheinfeld (she/her) is the Chief of the first ever Office of Immigrant Youth at the California Department of Social Services (CDSS). The Office of Immigrant Youth within CDSS’ Office of Equity was established in 2022 to meet the integration needs of immigrant youth, including highly vulnerable populations like unaccompanied children. In her new capacity, Carolina leads policy and program developments that cross multiple systems of care including immigration, education, child welfare, health care and community care licensing.

Carolina has a passion for humanitarian assistance and social justice and for the past two decades has built strong connections and strategic partnerships across the immigrant and refugee rights ecosystem. Carolina grew up in Spain and Venezuela and later moved to Los Angeles where she led the Immigrant Relations Office at the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) (2019-2022) and coordinated the Torture Survivors Project for the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles (2003-2018) while supporting the Refugee Forum of Los Angeles (2015-2018). In addition to improving the lives of immigrants and refugees, Carolina is also driven by a desire to influence public diplomacy and to cultivate inter-cultural relations.

Mohammad Sediq Hazratzai – Public Health Institute, Center for Immigrant and Refugee Health

Mohammad Sediq Hazratzai (he/him), MD, MPH, is the Executive Director of the Center for Immigrant and Refugee Health (CIRH) and Sehat Initiative, both programs of the Public Health Institute (PHI). Dr. Sediq is a career public health professional and researcher with extensive experience focused on refugee and immigrant health. As a visiting professor at the University of California, Davis, Dr. Sediq teaches refugee health and comparative health systems. Dr. Sediq is also a credentialed Principal Investigator with PHI and an affiliate with the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) Institute for Global Health Sciences.

Dr. Sediq has worked with nonprofits, IOM (UN Migration Agency), and Afghanistan’s Ministry of Public Health in projects focused on the most vulnerable populations – refugees, migrants, Injecting Drug Users (IDUs), and HIV high-risk groups. Dr. Sediq is a board member with Upwardly Global, a leading nonprofit that helps immigrant, refugee, and asylee professionals rebuild their careers in the United States. Dr. Sediq speaks English, Dari/Farsi, and Pashto fluently and is an active community member in the Greater Sacramento region, helping diverse refugee groups. Dr. Sediq is a big fan of nature and national parks. If he is not in his home office, he spends most of his time with his two children.

Youth Panelists

Tahira Safi – Afghan Youth Mentoring (AYM) Program, International Rescue Committee Los Angeles

Tahira Safi (she/her), from Afghanistan, is a dedicated case manager at the Human Migration Institute in Riverside, CA, where she coordinates critical services for refugee and immigrant families,including housing, public benefits enrollment, employment support, cultural orientation, and ongoing family assistance. Fluent in Pashto, Dari, and English, Tahira bridges language and cultural gaps, supporting clients through their integration journey and providing live interpretation as needed. Her experience as an academic tutor and educational program assistant highlights her commitment to empowering individuals of all ages through education and mentorship. Tahira holds a Bachelor’s degree in Religion & Law from Salam University, Kabul, Afghanistan and is currently pursuing an A.A. in Registered Nursing at Riverside City College. She has earned certifications including the Afghan Youth Mentorship Program from the International Rescue Committee, Recognized by the UN International Organization for Migration with a Certificate of Appreciation, and Resilient Awad from Human Migration institute. Tahira’s expertise and passion make her a vital contributor to refugee support and community integration efforts.

Omar Muhammadi – Afghan Youth Mentoring (AYM) Program, CAIR-SVCC

Omar Muhammadi (he/him) is a Senior Programs & Outreach Coordinator for Council on American-Islamic Relations, California Sacramento Valley/Central California (CAIR-SV/CC).

Naveed Ahmed – Family and Community Engagement, ICNA Relief, Sacramento

Naveed Ahmed (he/him) is the Assistant Director – West Region of ICNA Relief. 

Keyana Moayedi – Youth Mentoring, IRC Los Angeles, Los Angeles

Keyana Moayedi (she/her) works as the Financial Education Coordinator with the International Rescue Committee in Los Angeles.

Pushtana Ayoub Zalmai – Early Childhood and School Age Children, Shia Muslim Council, Los Angeles

Pushtana Ayoub Zalmai (she/her) serves as a Program Manager with the Shia Muslim Council and volunteers her time supporting Afghan refugees across Orange County, the Inland Empire, and parts of Los Angeles. As a first-generation Afghan American, she and her family faced numerous challenges in their journey of resettlement. These personal experiences have deeply shaped her commitment to meaningful service, inspiring her to support fellow Afghan refugees navigating similar paths.

The immigrant experience in the United States is often marked by immense challenges—from adapting to a new culture to overcoming complex legal and bureaucratic systems. Language barriers, cultural differences, and the struggle to find stability can make the process especially daunting. Having walked this road herself, Pushtana feels a strong sense of empathy and responsibility to help others in similar situations.

Through community outreach and direct support—whether it’s helping families enroll in school, access public services, secure basic necessities, or participate in empowering educational and recreational programs—she strives to ease the burden for newly arrived immigrants. Her goal is to help create a more compassionate and inclusive society, one where every individual is given the opportunity to flourish.

Responding to Community Needs Panelists

Narges Jalah – Special Projects Manager, CAIR-SV/CC 

Narges Jalah (she/her) is the Special Projects Manager for Council on American-Islamic Relations, California Sacramento Valley/Central California (CAIR-SV/CC), where she leads strategic initiatives that support newly arrived Afghan families and youth across Northern and Central California. With a background in community engagement, program development, and civil rights advocacy, she builds and manages cross-sector partnerships to deliver culturally responsive, community-centered services.

Her work focuses on strengthening nonprofit and grassroots capacity, guiding the implementation of youth leadership programs, legal access initiatives, and wellness-focused family engagement efforts. Narges plays a central role in program planning, coalition building, and ensuring equitable service delivery in underserved communities.

Committed to fostering long-term integration and empowering refugee communities, Narges is driven by a deep belief in collective care, justice, and sustainability through collaboration.

Alia Aboul-Nasr – Programs Manager, CAIR-LA

Alia Aboul-Nasr (she/her) is the Programs Manager at CAIR-LA, which involves leading and strategizing CAIR-LA’s flagship programs. She is a graduate of the University of California Irvine in Psychology and Social Behavior and a minor in Criminology Law and Society. Alia returns to working at CAIR after teaching at a local Muslim private school. She is passionate about social justice issues, education, and the empowerment of future generations. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, running trails, and rooting for the Lakers.

Closing Keynote Speakers

Blanca Meléndrez – UC San Diego Center for Community Health (CCH)

Blanca Meléndrez (she/her) is the Executive Director of CCH and leverages two decades of leadership within a university-based center focused on community-engaged public health practice. She is deeply committed to addressing health disparities and advocating for health equity, particularly within communities of color. Blanca’s work is rooted in personal experiences as an immigrant from Mexico, facing firsthand the challenges within healthcare systems and the impacts of social determinants of health. Blanca’s career has been characterized by the development of pioneering health programs and the establishment of critical community-based coalitions, securing over $80 million in funding to enhance community health and reduce disparities. This work is underpinned by a deep-seated belief in social justice and equity, driving her to advocate for health as a fundamental right for all.

Blanca’s journey at CCH began with the foundational SNAP-Education Program, initially through the 5-a-Day pilot in partnership with the California Department of Public Health. This early work laid the groundwork for innovative initiatives like workplace wellness, faith-based wellness, healthy schools, and healthy retail projects. Among these, the Southern California ¡Más Fresco! Nutrition Incentive Program stands out as a flagship effort, marking the first of its kind in the University of California System to combat food insecurity through a collaborative approach involving community, food systems, and health systems.

Amina Sheik Mohamed – UC San Diego Center for Community Health (CCH), Refugee Immigrant Health Unit (RIHU)

Amina Sheik Mohamed (she/her) is the Director and founder of our Refugee Health Unit. She is a dedicated public health leader who has gained national, state, and local recognition for her work advancing health equity in San Diego County. Amina is a mission-driven professional who works collaboratively with BIPOC communities to elevate health, uplift community agency, and ensure equitable access to all that San Diego has to offer.

During her tenure with the Center for Community Health, Amina has designed and directed a multitude of initiatives intended to engage low-income communities and improve access to opportunities for health. As founder of both the Refugee Health Unit and the Youth Advisory Council (YAC), Amina has demonstrated success in building effective coalitions and fund development. Working within the social determinants of health framework, Amina understands the importance of community-led projects and she is considered an expert in community and youth development. Throughout her career in public health, Amina has successfully implemented innovative policy systems and environmental initiatives. Previous projects led by Amina include serving as Director of the Interfaith-Wellness Program, co-launching a Women’s Only Swimming Project at the YMCA, and serving as Regional Manager of the African American Campaign under the Network for a Healthy California.