Women Engineers Spotlight

Huda Mahmood is a dedicated civil engineer with a strong academic and professional background in engineering, research, and urban development. She holds dual Master’s degrees in SAGAS and Construction Engineering & Management, reflecting her commitment to advancing sustainable and knowledge-driven development in Afghanistan.

Her work spans engineering practice, academic research, and policy-oriented studies, with a focus on heritage preservation, urban challenges, and community-based development approaches.

Key Contributions

• Published research titled “The Yu Aw Synagogue: A Contested Heritage Site in Afghanistan”

• Developed a preservation proposal for Qala-e-Bost, Helmand Province

• Authored a policy note on challenges and opportunities of informal remote bazaars in Helmand City
  
  

Alongside her research, Huda serves as a lecturer, supporting and mentoring future engineers and urban planners. Through teaching, she encourages critical thinking, sustainable design, and responsible resource management in complex and conflict-affected environments.

Her journey reflects how Afghan women engineers continue to contribute through knowledge, research, and education—shaping the future beyond physical construction.

Sanam Ahmadi is an accomplished urban planner with a Master’s degree from HafenCity University Hamburg, specializing in sustainable urban development, community participation, and inclusive city planning.

Her work bridges research, advocacy, and community engagement, with a strong focus on empowering Afghan refugees and contributing to long-term urban resilience in Afghanistan. Through academic research and practical initiatives, she highlights the importance of people-centered planning and the meaningful inclusion of women and youth in shaping urban environments.

Key Contributions

• Conducted research on migration and integration challenges faced by Afghan refugees in Germany

• Actively advocates for livable urban spaces and inclusive opportunities for women and youth

• Led the workshop “Planning Culture and Participation in Revitalizing Kabul,” amplifying Afghan voices in urban development discussions

In 2022, Sanam returned to Afghanistan for the first time in nearly a decade — a journey that deepened her commitment to addressing the country’s urban challenges through sustainable, community-driven solutions.

Her vision for Kabul emphasizes participation, resilience, and locally informed planning, where women play an active role in shaping safer, more livable cities.

Sara Wahedi is an engineer and civic technologist dedicated to using technology as a tool for strengthening governance, infrastructure, and public services in crisis-affected regions. With an interdisciplinary academic background in urban studies, architecture, and data science from Columbia University, she applies engineering thinking to design scalable, low-tech, and people-centered solutions.

She is the Founder of Ehtesab and CEO of Civaam, leading initiatives that bridge technology, civic engagement, and emergency response. Her work focuses on enabling communities to access critical information, services, and accountability mechanisms—especially in fragile and conflict-affected environments.

Key Contributions

• Founder of Ehtesab, Afghanistan’s first nationwide civic alert system providing real-time information on security, electricity, and traffic

• CEO of Civaam, a civic-tech organization launching in 2025 to empower local technologists in crisis regions

• Technology Specialist at the Oxford Institute for Ethics, Law & Armed Conflict, supporting AI and technology deployment within the partnership between the Blavatnik School of Government and the Clooney Foundation for Justice

• Researcher at the University of Oxford, studying the role of AI in justice, accountability, and infrastructure resilience

• Advisor and consultant to UN agencies, governments, and international NGOs

• Recognized by TIME, Forbes, MIT Technology Review, and Fast Company for her impact in civic innovation

Sara’s work stands at the intersection of engineering, governance, and human-centered design, demonstrating how technology—when grounded in local realities—can strengthen resilience, accountability, and access to essential services.

Mehrangez Danishwar is an accomplished architectural designer and educator with a Master’s degree in Architecture from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (Cal Poly Pomona). Her professional journey bridges architecture, engineering, and technical education, with a strong focus on mentorship and capacity building.

With over 13 years of teaching experience at both high school and college levels, Mehrangez has played a vital role in preparing students for careers in engineering, architecture, and design. Her work combines academic rigor with real-world industry knowledge, ensuring learners gain both technical skills and professional readiness.

Key Contributions

• Established a Career Technical Education (CTE) pathway in Architectural Design at Sylmar Charter High School, securing over USD 500,000 in grant funding

• Mentored and prepared students for admission to leading engineering and architecture programs across the United States

• Developed industry-aligned curriculum based on professional experience and labor market needs

• Served as Project Coordinator on major urban development projects, including the El Monte Transit Village

• Former educator at ITT Technical Institute, teaching sustainable design, mechanical drafting, and architectural drafting

• Currently teaches Engineering and Architecture Design in the William S. Hart Union High School District

Mehrangez’s work reflects a deep commitment to education as a tool for empowerment. Through mentorship, curriculum development, and hands-on learning, she continues to shape pathways for future engineers and architects.

Regina Maihan is a dedicated urban planner with dual Master’s degrees in City and Regional Planning from Gazi University (Ankara) and Business Administration from the University of the People (California), with a specialization in project management and globalization. Born and raised in Kabul, she brings over five years of professional experience in urban, land use, and transportation planning.

Her work combines technical planning expertise with a strong commitment to sustainability, climate action, and inclusive urban development. Regina has further strengthened her knowledge through a Certificate in Sustainability Studies from Johns Hopkins University and participation in the Oxford School of Climate Change (2025).

Key Contributions

• Urban Planner at the Community & Infrastructure Planning Department, Hillsborough County, Florida

• Co-founder of the Afghan Women Engineers Association (AWEA), supporting women through scholarship guidance and academic mentorship

• Global Goodwill Ambassador (GGAF), promoting humanitarian values and cross-cultural understanding

• Represented Afghanistan in international youth platforms including ALOCY, IYC, and IOC Youth Day Conferences

• Awarded “Student of the Year 2024” by the Embassy of Afghanistan in Ankara

• Selected participant of the Local International 2023 Program, focusing on innovation in municipal governance

Regina continues to advocate for integrated land use and transportation planning while actively empowering Afghan youth—particularly women—to engage in shaping sustainable and resilient cities.

Eng. Khalida Tawakully is a senior civil engineer and development professional with over ten years of experience in infrastructure planning, design, and project supervision across Afghanistan. Her career reflects strong technical leadership combined with a deep commitment to public service and social impact.

She has held key roles within national institutions, including the Ministry of Urban Development and Land (MUDL) and the National Development Corporation (NDC), where she led multidisciplinary engineering teams and contributed to large-scale public infrastructure initiatives. Her work has covered a wide range of projects, including water canals, public buildings, and feasibility studies for dams and power plants.

Key Contributions

• Former Head of Planning and Engineering at the National Development Corporation (NDC)

• Led design, estimation, and supervision teams at the Ministry of Urban Development and Land, including the Religious Buildings Design Center

• Contributed to development projects supported by USAID, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and PAE

• Published research articles in national and international engineering journals

• Board Member of the Afghan Urban Development and Architecture Association

Beyond her technical work, Eng. Khalida is a strong advocate for women’s rights, youth empowerment, and gender equality. She actively mentors young engineers and supports women pursuing careers in STEM fields.

She is currently preparing for the Project Management Professional (PMP®) certification, aiming to further strengthen her leadership capacity in construction and development projects.

Malalai Youssofzay is an accomplished architect with more than a decade of experience in BIM coordination, advanced Revit modeling, and construction documentation, contributing to major architectural and development projects across Australia.

Her professional career includes work with leading firms such as Crone Partners, Mirvac Design, Scentre Group, DesignInc Sydney, and Universal Property Group, where she played a central role in the delivery of large-scale residential, commercial, retail, and infrastructure developments. Her portfolio includes multi-storey housing projects, shopping centres, aged care facilities, and airport masterplan developments.

Malalai is recognized for her strong technical precision, collaborative leadership, and ability to coordinate effectively with multidisciplinary design and construction teams. Alongside her project responsibilities, she has actively supported capacity building within organizations, providing Revit training and mentoring junior architects and designers.

Key Contributions

• Advanced Revit and AutoCAD specialist with high-level BIM modeling expertise

• Contributed to major Australian developments including One Circular Quay, Highforest Housing, Mirvac projects, and Westfield shopping centres

• Led interior documentation for luxury multi-storey residential and commercial buildings

• Provided BIM and Revit leadership for large-scale Sydney Airport projects

• Experienced in design development, construction detailing, and coordinated project delivery

• Strong background in team leadership, mentoring, and client coordination

Malalai holds an Advanced Postgraduate Diploma in Architecture from Banaras Hindu University (India) and a Bachelor of Architecture from Kabul University. Her work reflects a commitment to technical excellence, innovation, and the creation of high-quality built environments.

Nilab Wahab Zada is a dedicated civil engineer with an international academic and professional background, specializing in structural engineering and concrete systems. Her journey reflects resilience, adaptability, and a strong commitment to continuous professional growth across borders.

She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from Kardan University, Afghanistan, where she developed a strong technical foundation and a deep passion for the engineering profession. Following graduation, she worked with several engineering companies in Afghanistan, gaining practical experience while navigating the challenges faced by women in the field—experiences that strengthened her determination and clarified her long-term goals.

Through academic excellence and persistence, Nilab was awarded a competitive scholarship to pursue her Master’s degree in Turkey, further expanding her technical expertise and global perspective on civil and structural engineering practices.

After relocating to the United States, she continued her professional journey as an Estimation Engineer, later advancing into the Engineering Department of a precast-focused organization, where she worked extensively with precast concrete systems and construction coordination.

Recognizing the importance of professional licensure, Nilab dedicated herself to exam preparation and successfully passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam. She currently works in a role closely aligned with her passion for structural engineering and concrete construction, contributing meaningfully to complex engineering projects while continuing to strengthen her technical expertise.