Shabana Basij-Rasikh

Shabana Basij-Rasikh is an accomplished individual born and raised in Kabul, with a remarkable educational journey that includes graduating magna cum laude in International Studies and Women & Gender Studies from Middlebury College in Vermont.

She co-founded the School of Leadership, Afghanistan (SOLA), the only all-girls boarding school in the country, with a mission to provide quality education to girls from across Afghanistan.

Shabana has been recognized for her outstanding leadership and service, receiving awards such as the Davis Peace Prize and being named one of Glamour Magazine's Top 10 College Women of 2010.

Her dedication to girls' education extends globally, as she serves as a global ambassador for Girl Rising and has been honored as one of National Geographic's 2014 Emerging Explorers and one of CNN International's Leading Women of 2014.

In 2018, she was awarded the Malalai Medal, one of Afghanistan's highest national honors, for her significant contributions to promoting girls' access to education.

Aside from her educational and advocacy roles, Shabana has held various positions including Country Chair at Global Dignity and National Gender Advisor at the Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development's National Solidarity Program.

She has pursued further education, including a Master of Public Policy from the University of Oxford and honorary doctorates from SOAS University of London and Cedar Crest College.

Shabana's impressive career also includes roles as a Senior Fellow at Middlebury College, Executive Director at Afghan Youth Initiative, Inc., and Founder and President at HELA, Inc.