MEET THE TEAM
Bashair Ahmed
Bashair Ahmed
Bashair lives in Brighton, UK and focuses on migration, human rights, and humanitarian action. She speaks and writes English and Arabic.
With over 20 years’ experience working with United Nations agencies and international organisations focused on fragile and conflict-affected countries, Bashair has consulted on a wide range of migration and diaspora initiatives, including: the protection of irregular migrants; the development of e-trainings on humanitarian principles for diaspora organisations; and providing guidance on diaspora engagement in development and humanitarian response. Bashair holds a doctorate in Migration Studies from the University of Sussex, where she is also currently a Research Associate; her academic interests include humanitarianism, diasporas, migration and development, and intergenerational engagement. She speaks and writes in English and Arabic.
Coffee makes Bashair happy, macchiato from Kaldis, in particular!
Get in touch with Bashair.
Paul Asquith
Paul Asquith
Paul lives in London, UK and focuses on research and policy advocacy around migration, diaspora development and humanitarian response. Paul has 20 years’ experience in managing community development and public health projects, as well as conducting research in Africa, Europe, and the UK. From 2012 to 2020, Paul was the Policy and Engagement Manager at the African Foundation for Development (AFFORD), a leading African diaspora organisation in the UK. Paul is also a Research Associate at the Centre of African Studies, SOAS, University of London, where his interests include: diasporas, migration, and development; culture, health, and migrant communities; and Islamic models of development in North Africa and the Horn. Paul, our most accomplished linguist, speaks and writes Arabic, Amharic, Kiswahili, French and English.
Another coffee lover, this time Ethiopian, Paul is a father of several cats!
Contact Paul.
Vikas Malik
Vikas Malik
Vikas is a UK-based, second-generation Indian diaspora member and senior storyteller with over 20 years’ experience in creative communications, building brands and thinking disruptively. While Vikas fully embraces the power of digital, he also believes connecting with people through the power of emotion and authenticity is always key.
Diana Leku
Diana Leku
FORMER BOARD MEMBERS
Jehanne Henry
Jehanne Henry
Jehanne is an independent consultant, human rights lawyer, Sudan(s) analyst, and the former East Africa Director at Human Rights Watch.
Samah Ahmed
Samah Ahmed
Based in London, UK, Samah specialises in programme management and holds a master’s degree in Communication for Development. Prior to joining Shabaka, Samah worked as a programme manager for several INGOs, overseeing projects on capacity strengthening, accountability, ICT4D and advocacy.
Get in touch with Samah
Louise Niven
Louise Niven
Based in Petersfield, UK, Louise advises on Shabaka’s communications strategy. Louise has worked across the finance, technology and third sectors and focuses on international digital communications. She holds a BCom in Economics and a Social Innovation qualification from the University of Washington. Louise loves travelling and is chasing Thabani’s record of 41 countries, especially those where the sun always shines!
Contact Louise
Richard Tandoh
Richard Tandoh
Based in London, UK, Richard has over 20 years’ experience advising a range of blue-chip companies—including Liberty Mutual, Barclays, Tesco and BP—on digital transformation initiatives. Most recently, he was an Investment Associate at the Global Innovation Fund, a USAID and FCDO-funded, social-first investment vehicle whose mission is to find, back, and scale-up innovations with the potential to measurably improve the lives of people living on $5/day or less in the developing world. His focus sectors were tech, education and SME growth services in Africa, specifically Ghana, South Africa, Uganda and Kenya. Richard’s side passion is Star 100, a Ghana-focused professional diaspora network established over 15 years ago. Richard holds a BSc (Hons) in Economics and Geography from the University of London, a Postgraduate Diploma in Computer Science from the University of Cambridge and a Certificate in Education from the University of London.