Mehlaqa is the founder and director of Community Alliance for Peace and Justice, a Massachusetts-based advocacy group that influences policy and public opinion on issues concerning South Asia and the Middle East. She previously led Critical Connections, a non-profit in western Massachusetts that educated the public on topics such as Islamophobia, national security, civil rights and liberties, U.S. foreign policy, and inter-communal relations.

Mehlaqa served as a peacebuilding associate with the Karuna Center for Peacebuilding, where she led two projects in Islamabad and Lahore from 2016 to 2018 aimed at addressing sectarian violence in Pakistan. She also worked as an adjunct fellow with the Post-Conflict Reconstruction Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) from 2008 to 2011, researching the role of civil society in promoting stability and democratic governance in Pakistan.

Prior to CSIS, Mehlaqa was a research analyst at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York from 2004 to 2006, focusing on the role of women in driving social, political, and economic change in the Muslim world. Her research and work have spanned conflict and transitional settings, including Sudan, Sri Lanka, Rwanda, Afghanistan, Bosnia, and Israel/Palestine. She has also contributed to civil society-based peace initiatives between India and Pakistan.

Until recently, Mehlaqa was a faculty member at the School for International Training in Vermont, teaching conflict transformation and peacebuilding in a low-residency graduate certificate program. Her writings have appeared in publications such as the Huffington Post, the New York Times, Foreign Policy (AfPak Channel), Foreign Policy in Focus, Christian Science Monitor, and Daily Times (Pakistan). She has been a guest on NPR, KCBS, and news channels in Pakistan. Mehlaqa holds a graduate degree from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy and an undergraduate degree from the University of Denver. She resides in Massachusetts with her husband and two children.

Maria is an accomplished creative professional with extensive experience in design, visual communications, and campaign management. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Publicity from the National College of Arts in Lahore, Pakistan, and a Master's degree in Communication Design from Pratt Institute in New York.

Maria has worked with leading advertising firms in both Pakistan and the United States, managing a diverse portfolio that includes social issue campaigns, government initiatives like tourism and public welfare programs, and multinational clients such as Canon. She also served as the lead Design professional at a nonprofit organization in Hartford for over a decade, where she played a key role in developing compelling visual communications to advance the organization’s mission and community programs. Her work seamlessly blends strategic messaging with aesthetic excellence, driving engagement and impact.

Beyond her professional achievements, Maria is deeply committed to social justice, equity, and community building. She has actively contributed to peace-building workshops and dialogue-focused organizations, fostering understanding and collaboration across diverse groups.

Currently, as a Partner in an event décor company, Maria leverages her creative vision and design expertise to craft immersive, memorable experiences for clients. Her ability to transform spaces and communicate powerful narratives reflects her passion for innovation and meaningful storytelling.

Roxanne is a retired software engineer with over 30 years of experience developing systems to protect the health and safety of workers in industrial manufacturing environments. Throughout her career, she has upheld a core belief: that technology should be used to aid, uplift, and empower people.

Roxanne currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Community Alliance for Peace and Justice, where she brings both strategic insight and hands-on technical expertise to advance the organization's mission. Her focus includes leveraging digital tools to support advocacy campaigns, streamline operations, and expand public education.

A lifelong advocate for justice, Roxanne began her activism in the 1980s as part of the animal rights movement. Her efforts helped drive public awareness around cruelty-free cosmetics, humane farming practices, and ethical food choices—contributing to the cultural shift that made these standards more mainstream.

In recent years, Roxanne has been active in a multifaith coalition for Palestinian justice, advocating for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, sovereign rights for Palestinians, and a sustainable path to peace in the region. She has organized educational events and met with congressional representatives to raise awareness about the humanitarian crisis in Palestine.

She holds a master’s degree from the Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy at Carnegie Mellon University and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Duquesne University.

Sarwat is a naturopathic physician and passionate advocate for justice, wellness, and human dignity. She serves on the board of Community Alliance for Peace and Justice, where she contributes her voice and leadership to initiatives rooted in equity, justice, civic engagement and human rights advocacy, with a focus on Pakistan, Palestine, and global communities.

Sarwat has played an active role in organizing women’s initiatives through Shakti – Milan Women Forum in Connecticut, led medical informational seminars in India, and supported educational programs in Pakistan. Her global work includes volunteering on medical missions in Guatemala and supporting clean water initiatives through the Alkhidmat Organization.

A strong believer in empowering youth, Sarwat is a patron of Mera Ghar, an orphanage in Pakistan, and backs scholarship programs for young women pursuing higher education in Pakistan’s tribal regions. Locally, she is involved with a community group that partners with neighborhood shelters to provide consistent monthly support. Whether through public education, grassroots fundraising, or cross-cultural outreach, she remains dedicated to building healthier, more just communities.

Beyond her professional and advocacy work, Sarwat enjoys gardening, cooking, and traveling—especially to places that reflect the beauty and diversity of our world.

Shafi currently serves as a Senior Director at a leading financial investment software company. Coming from a humble family background, he has built a distinguished career while remaining deeply committed to philanthropic efforts both in the United States and Pakistan.

Shafi is the President of the Karachi Welfare and Development Association (KWDA), through which he has led impactful community projects. Under his leadership and with the support of generous donors, KWDA has successfully sponsored a boys' and girls' school in Lyari, Karachi. He has also spearheaded vital water initiatives in some of Karachi’s most underserved neighborhoods, implementing submersible water systems to provide clean drinking water to those in need.

In the healthcare sector, Shafi actively raises funds for the Indus Children's Cancer Hospital, ensuring that children receive life-saving cancer treatment free of cost.

Beyond his philanthropic work, Shafi Ahmed is a vocal advocate for justice and human rights. He has spoken out against authoritarianism and military overreach in Pakistan, striving to uphold the rule of law. He is also a passionate supporter of Palestinian human rights, engaging in advocacy efforts and meeting with congressional aides to raise awareness about the ongoing genocide and to promote justice on the global stage.