Atlas Corps Fellows represent the richness of diversity, inclusion, and cultural awareness. Now, more than ever, we need to keep building bridges between social changes leaders from around the world.
Model Innovation – Class 39 (May 2020) will pilot our blended fellowship model, which is a combination of virtual and in-person service.
Chaudhary Talha Waseem
Pakistan (Host: Points of Light)Talha has four years of experience working in the nonprofit sector and has expertise in using technology for social impact. He has a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from the COMSATS Institute of Information Technology in Lahore, Pakistan. While working with Chanan Development Association, he developed and implemented a digital strategy to optimize multiple projects in the sectors of sexual and reproductive health and rights, democracy and HIV/AIDS. He has also developed websites and mobile apps in the healthcare, medical, utilities and lifestyle sectors. He is passionate about solving world problems using technology and he has accomplished this by starting ibjects.com, a digital agency that leverages technology for social impact and innovation. He also co-founded and managed projects like Cafe Entrepreneurship, which engages young people to use technology in the development of solutions that can solve social issues of Pakistan.
Host Organization: Points of Light
Role at Host Organization: Talha will develop and manage a digital marketing and optimization strategy for the Points of Light Civic Accelerator (CivicX) program. He will further develop digital optimization skills and have the opportunity to implement strategy and create recommendations for senior program staff.
Hafsah Sarfraz
Pakistan (Host: Cultural Vistas)Hafsah Sarfraz is a development communication professional and a freelance journalist from Islamabad, Pakistan. She has a seven-year experience of journalism has covered social issues, women’s and children issues, education, life & style, and art & culture extensively for leading English newspapers of Pakistan. Hafsah has also reported for The Express Tribune, partner of The International New York Times. As a communications professional, she has worked for USAID’s Public Outreach and Communication Activity for M&C Saatchi World Services, a global London based advertising firm. Through this experience, she developed strong communication skills, storytelling, and digital media skills. She was awarded for her continued resourcefulness, proactive teamwork to highlight USAID’s work through storytelling using print publications and digital media. She has also led the communications for USAID Advancing Girls’ Education and Skills at World Learning, an international nonprofit organization that focuses on international development, education, and exchange programs. Hafsah is a graduate of the Queen Mary University of London. She is a Global Shaper of the World Economic Forum. Hafsah likes to travel, tell stories, photograph and indulge in delicious food.
Host Organization: Cultural Vistas
Role at Cultural Vistas At Cultural Vistas, Hafsah will execute integrated communications and PR initiatives that raise public awareness of the organization’s exchange programs. She will work with the Senior Director of External Affairs to implement publicity and thought leadership campaigns designed to highlight Cultural Vistas’ role in helping shape the future of work and promote the annual awards gala in New York.
Muhammad Ilyas
Pakistan (Host: Street Sense Media)Muhammad has eight years of experience in nonprofit sector in the fields of entrepreneurship, peace building, youth and women empowerment. He earned a certificate in Entrepreneurship from Bunker Hill Community College, Boston and a Bachelor’s of Commerce degree from University of Peshawar. While working as a Program Coordinator with the Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) in Peshawar, Muhammad successfully managed and implemented several advocacy programs to strengthen rule of law, governance, youth and women empowerment, peacebuilding, and social entrepreneurship. Previously, he has worked with BUILD Greater Boston in the US to train dropout students and help them develop business plans, marketing strategies and showcase events to start their own small businesses. He has worked closely with youth groups, civil society, academia, law enforcers, and government agencies to enhance their capacities and mass awareness to prosper peace, strengthening rule of law, governance, democracy, and countering terrorism and extremism in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa(KP) and FATA regions of Pakistan. Muhammad has also voluntarily implemented projects on education, youth and entrepreneur mentoring, social entrepreneurship, and cultural exchange programs. Through these experiences, he has developed strong project management, implementation, strategic planning, report writing, communication and coordination skills, and has the ability to work in a fast moving, multicultural environment. Muhammad enjoys working on social entrepreneurship, positive youth development, and civic participation. He has a strong passion for creating a just society, peacebuilding, and economic uplifting of youth, minorities and women.
Host Organization: Street Sense Media
Role at Host Organization: Muhammad will serve as a Vendor Manager Fellow and will oversee a team of over 100 homeless and formerly homeless vendors who sell Street Sense Media’s print newspaper as a means to generate income and stabilize their lives. He will monitor the organization’s daily sales process while developing creative strategies to increase income for the organization’s hardworking vendors.
Prem Sagar
Pakistan (Host: CARE)Mr. Prem is millennial development professional with MBA in Management and carries 14 years of professional experience. During professional career he has served at mid to senior management level with national and international non-government organizations including USAID, World Bank and DFID funded programs in the areas of education, economic empowerment, children protection in conflict affected areas of Pakistan. Prem’s expertise includes strategic management and leadership, communications and advocacy, proposal writing, program execution and knowledge management. Currently he is leading knowledge management, communication and reporting for USAID funded education program in disaster affected areas of Pakistan. He has successfully led three multi million dollars projects within given time and resources at the provincial level positively impacting more than 50,000 lives directly. Prem is innovative team leader with can-do attitude and in-depth technical experience in program management and liaison with implementing partners. In recognition of his contribution in disaster and conflict affected areas in Pakistan, he was given Best Humanitarian Award by the Government of Sindh, Pakistan. He is skilled in designing and implementing communication strategies and advocacy plans to influence child rights policies at provincial level. Last but not the least he is well versed in three languages; English, Urdu and Sindhi and recognizing his competencies he was awarded prestigious fellowships like; Netherlands Fellowship Program, South Korea Cultural Exchange Program and One year U.S. Based Atlas Corps Fellowship for emerging global leaders.
Host Organization : CARE
Role at Host Organization : Prem served his fellowship with CARE USA and International Relief and Development. During his fellowship he provided technical and managerial backstop to field based programs (Community Mobilization Program while serving in IRD) and Child Marriage Prevention Program in CARE USA. His expertise in communications and gender mainstreaming helped organizations in smooth execution of their field based programs. He has also provided his inputs in business development process at CARE USA.
