The Human Development Foundation (HDF) is a non-profit dedicated to empowering communities in Pakistan. Since 1997, we’ve tackled poverty through programs in education, health, economic growth, environment, and social development, helping people build lives of dignity, opportunity, and hope.
At HDF, we go beyond aid to create lasting change. Through programs in education, health, economic growth, environment and social development, we empower communities to rise above poverty, ensuring that children learn, families thrive and generations flourish. We believe lasting transformation begins when people are empowered from within.
Founded by Pakistani expatriates in 1997, HDF set out to empower rural communities in Pakistan. With a vision of every child in school, healthcare for all, clean water and self-sustaining communities, HDF works to break the cycle of poverty and restore dignity.
At HDF, every act of kindness creates a ripple of hope. Your support brings education, healthcare, clean water and opportunities for communities to thrive. By donating, sponsoring, volunteering or partnering, you join a movement transforming lives across Pakistan, turning compassion into action and hope into reality.
Experienced and accomplished professionals overseeing governance and ensuring alignment with HDF’s long term development goals.
The organization's leadership reflects a blend of professional expertise and personal commitment to humanitarian causes. The current Boad of Directors leadership structure includes the following members :
Chairperson
Dr. Hijab exemplifies the type of dedicated leadership that drives HDF North America's success. Born and raised in Lahore, Pakistan, she completed her medical studies at Fatima Jinnah Medical University before pursuing advanced training in the United States. Currently serving as a pediatric critical care at St. Alexius Medical Center and medical director of the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Dr. Hijab brings both medical expertise and cultural understanding to her leadership role. Her involvement with professional organizations, including her lifetime membership in the Association of Physicians of Pakistani Descent of North America (APPNA) and her previous leadership roles in medical chapters, demonstrates the network-building approach that characterizes HDF's leadership philosophy.
Board Secretary
Dr. Khan brings additional medical expertise to the leadership team, having completed her residency in internal medicine at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. Her specialization...
Board Treasurer
Dr. Tabassum Saeed is a retired medical doctor based in Seattle, where she has lived since 1975. A graduate of Fatima Jinnah Medical University in...
Board Member
As an IT professional with over 15 years of experience with HDF, Hussain represents the institutional knowledge and operational continuity essential for long-term organizational success....
Dr. Israr Abbasi is a U.S.-licensed psychiatrist and the founder of Jamestown Psychiatry PC in New York, with over 15 years of experience in clinical...
Shahzad Syed started as a volunteer at HDF, Michigan Network 11 years ago. Born and raised in Lahore, Pakistan, Shahzad graduated from Hailey College of...
Member
Trusted stewards of HDF’s values, providing oversight, accountability, and strategic counsel for lasting change.
Trustee Chairperson
Dr. Shahid Chaudhry has lived in the United States for 45 years, settling in Missouri after completing his Neurology residency at the Medical College of...
Trustee Member
Born and raised in Lahore, Pakistan, Samina completed her medical studies at Fatima Jinnah Medical University in Lahore and worked for several years in Saudi...
HDF Pakistan Chairperson
Lt. Gen. (Retd). Anis Abbasi, brings his rich experience and expertise to the forefront in driving HDF’s mission with a notable military career spanning 36...
Javed holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from UET Lahore, an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from UC Berkeley, and an MBA from Santa Clara University...
Dr. Usmani is a pediatrician based in Orlando, Florida, with over 35 years of clinical experience. A former Captain in the Pakistan Army, he holds...
Arriving in Edmonton, Alberta, in 1967 as an MSc student at the University of Alberta, Khwaja Gulzar Ahmad quickly became a pioneering spirit deeply rooted...
Silicon Valley, California
Dr. Javed holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from UET Lahore, an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from UC Berkeley, and an MBA from Santa Clara...
Tampa, Florida
She graduated from Lahore Medical College, later renamed Allama Iqbal Medical College. After moving to England and later to Florida, she devoted herself to raising...
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Dr. Bushra Dar, MD is a Family Medicine Physician who resides in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, and is leading the Minnesota Network with full dedication.
DMV, Washington DC, Maryland, Virgina
Dr. Atiya Khan, a renowned pediatrician and Fellow of the American College of Pediatrics, has made an extraordinary contribution to HDF. As a founding and...
MI, Michigan
She is a Director of IT, American Axle & Manufacturing. As Chairperson of the Human Development Foundation North America (HDF NA) – Michigan Network, she...
Chicago, Illinois
Durriya Kisat Gunja has been part of HDF’s Chicago Network since 2018 and now serves as its chairperson. A Creative Advertising and Brand Marketing Executive...
Houston, Texas
is a Professor of Medicine at Houston Methodist Academic Institute, where she also serves as Director of Clinical Research and the Pulmonary Fibrosis Program, as...
Seattle, Washington
Munir Rizvi is an aerospace engineer with Boeing in Seattle, Washington. Deeply committed to community service, he began supporting HDF after volunteering during the 2005...
Atlanta, Georgia
A skilled and committed team managing daily operations to ensure efficient and impactful implementation of our programs.
Director Operations
Network Outreach Manager
Executive Coordinator NA
Finance Officer