Program Leadership
Meetra Alokozay
Executive Director
Meetra Alokozay is a self-identified intersectional feminist from Afghanistan. Meetra earned her Bachelor’s in political science and public administration with a minor in law from the American University of Afghanistan. In 2018, Meetra joined Loyola University Chicago as an international Fulbright scholar where she earned her Master’s degree in Women’s Studies and Gender Studies.
As a passionate advocate for social justice and gender equality, Meetra has been working for non-profits since high-school, with a particular focus on promoting girls education and youth empowerment. Meetra contributes to Free Women Writers blog and her recent essay was published in Welcome to the Light: Writings of Emerging Feminist Thinkers project.
Having lived and worked in Afghanistan for most of her life, Meetra recognizes the importance of Education in helping improve girls’ lives in Afghanistan and supporting them in their journey of self- empowerment. Meetra believes Afghan women do not need saviors, they only need global sisterhood and support as they resist and fight extremism every single day. Meetra’s advocacy work is deeply rooted in principles of equity, inclusivity, and intersectionality. Meetra is confident that her passion and knowledge will support Sahar’s mission and create opportunities of self-empowerment for girls and women in Afghanistan through educational programs.
Allie Renar
Operations & Finance Manager
A native of Seattle, WA, USA, in 2016, Allie moved to Morocco where she taught English and worked as a freelance writer. She began a French Accredited Bachelor’s program with the Federation Internationale des Establissments de Formation Professionnelle during this time. She completed her Bachelor of Business in 2018. Allie was inspired by the fortitude of women she met in Morocco and carries their stories with her to this day. She spent 3 years living in Rabat, giving birth abroad, and then began traveling full-time for 18 months while working remotely with a remote customer experience firm. She lived in places like Malaysia, Madagascar, and Mauritius with her young daughter. In 2020, she returned to Seattle at the beginning of the pandemic.
By 2022, Allie was Senior Manager of Operations for a remote company and began to look for opportunities that better suited her values. Allie is an intersectional feminist and envisions a world where all children- regardless of race, religion, or gender- live in peace and have the freedom to explore their passions through education. In 2023, Allie began publishing children’s books about her travels focusing on careers, exploration, and learning about new cultures. She began volunteering with multiple nonprofits and sought to bring her knowledge and skills to an organization making a difference in the world.
Allie was inspired by Sahar’s mission and the challenges faced to provide education to girls who are fighting to learn in Afghanistan. She says, “I am particularly passionate about the work Sahar does because I believe that until all girls globally are free to educate themselves and make their own decisions about their futures, none of us are truly free.”
Farzanah Darwish
Program Manager
Farzanah Darwish is a passionate professional and advocate for girls' education and equitable access to quality learning. With an M.S. in International Educational Development from the University of Pennsylvania and a partial Ph.D. along with an M.Sc. in Pure Mathematics from India, she brings a wealth of academic and teaching experience.
Farzanah has worked with Lapis Group (Moby Group) to deliver media-based education for girls in Afghanistan and collaborated with UNESCO on initiatives to support girls in conflict-affected regions. She has led numerous projects in Afghanistan, including "Ride for Freedom," for which the British Council awarded her the International School Award. Farzanah believes education is the only way out of adversity and is a fundamental right for all, regardless of gender or region. She is committed to empowering girls through education, helping them not only build a brighter future but also thrive in the face of conflict and war.