Mina Sherzoy

Mina Sherzoy is one of the most consequential Afghan American advocates for women's empowerment and economic development of her generation. For more than two decades, she has worked at the forefront of social impact, designing and leading programs that have reached hundreds of thousands of women, reshaping what is possible for Afghan women in the workforce, and demonstrating through her life's work that community transformation begins with a single, determined leader willing to act. As a Founding Board Member of the Afghan American Professional Network, she brings to the organization a legacy of firsts, a record of measurable impact, and a profound commitment to the advancement of Afghan Americans everywhere.

A Pioneer Who Changed History for Afghan Women

In 2003, at a moment when Afghanistan was rebuilding from decades of conflict, Mina Sherzoy introduced the concept of Women's Entrepreneurship Development (WED) to USAID in Afghanistan. From that foundational idea grew the Afghan Women's Business Association, the first organization of its kind in the history of Afghanistan. This singular act of vision created an institutional infrastructure for Afghan women's economic participation that had never before existed, and set the stage for every initiative that would follow. It is the kind of contribution that changes not just lives, but the trajectory of a nation.

Leading a $40 Million USAID Women's Leadership Initiative

As Director and Acting Chief of Party of the USAID Promote: Women in Government Project at Chemonics International, Mina led one of the most ambitious women's empowerment programs ever launched in Afghanistan, a $40 million initiative designed to advance women's leadership across government and the private sector. Under her leadership, the program placed more than 1,700 women in professional and leadership roles, building a cohort of Afghan women equipped to shape policy, lead institutions, and drive economic development. Managing multicultural teams and forging multi-sector partnerships in one of the world's most complex operating environments, she delivered results at a scale that few programs achieve.

Generating $11 Million in Economic Impact Through Women-Led Trade

Through her work with DAI on USAID Private Sector Development and Women's Empowerment Initiatives, and as Consultant to the Chief of Party on USAID Trade Show Support Activities, Mina directed programs that generated over $11 million in revenue through market-linkage initiatives, trade events, and SME development, directly impacting more than 1,700 participants. These were not abstract development metrics: they represented Afghan women gaining access to markets, earning independent incomes, and building enterprises with lasting economic roots.

Reaching 250,000 Women Globally Through International Consultancy

As Managing Director of Excel Consulting International, Mina led an international consultancy focused on economic empowerment and self-sufficiency. In partnership with the Thunderbird School of Global Management, she developed entrepreneurship and leadership training materials that reached more than 250,000 women globally, a testament to her ability to translate on-the-ground experience into scalable solutions that work across cultures and borders.

National Program Leadership for America's Refugee Communities

Since 2021, Mina has served as Program Manager at the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI), where she leads national operations across three federal refugee programs: Reception and Placement, Matching Grant, and Preferred Communities. Overseeing 30 multi-site partner organizations across the country, she manages governance, compliance, financial oversight, and accountability while designing capacity-building initiatives, training, toolkits, and coaching, that strengthen the organizations on the front lines of refugee integration. Her work ensures that some of the most vulnerable newcomers to America, including thousands of Afghan evacuees, receive the workforce support and stability they need to build new lives.

Recognized by a Former First Lady

Mina's contributions to humanitarian service have been recognized at the highest levels. She was honored in former First Lady Laura Bush's memoir Spoken from the Heart as one of the best humanitarians working on behalf of Afghan women, a recognition that speaks to the breadth and depth of her impact. She has also received a Humane Letters Honorary Degree from the University of Phoenix for her pioneering contributions to women's entrepreneurship in Afghanistan's informal economy.

A Legacy of Civic Engagement

Beyond her professional roles, Mina has given generously of her time to institutions working at the intersection of peace, development, and Afghan civil society. She has served on the Board of Directors of the Central Asia Institute, volunteered with the United States Institute of Peace (USIP), the US-Afghan Women's Council, and the South Asian Association Regional Countries as Afghanistan Coordinator. She also served as a facilitator at the Afghan General Assembly (Loya Jirga) US-Afghan Strategic Partnership, contributing her voice to one of the most significant diplomatic frameworks between the two countries.

Her published work includes a blog post for the United Nations Foundation's Her Goals, Our Future series, presented at the Women Deliver Conference, exploring the role of men in advancing gender equality, a reflection of her nuanced and inclusive approach to the cause she has championed throughout her career.

Education and Languages

Mina holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Management from the University of Phoenix and is fluent in English and Dari/Farsi, a bilingual capability that has been essential to her effectiveness as a bridge between Afghan communities and international institutions for over two decades.