FOUNDER/CEO

Emaad Khan is a medical student at Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine and a social entrepreneur dedicated to improving healthcare access and outcomes for underserved communities. He graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 2024 with a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences. His academic, clinical, and personal experiences have strengthened his commitment to addressing health inequities through medicine, research, policy, and community-based service.

As the Founder and President of Spread the Love Projects (STLP), Emaad leads a nationally recognized nonprofit focused on supporting children and families facing medical, financial, and social hardship. Under his leadership, STLP has raised more than $200,000 and supported over 1,500 families through emergency financial assistance, meals, transportation support, pediatric hospital partnerships, and community-based initiatives. His mission is to ease the financial and emotional burdens faced by families so that parents can focus on what matters most: the health and well-being of their children.

In addition to his work with STLP, Emaad serves as Chief Operating Officer of the Global Health Systems Empowerment Network (GHSEN), where he helps lead global health research, mentorship, and health systems initiatives. Through GHSEN, he works to expand opportunities for students and young professionals while contributing to projects focused on health equity, health policy, and strengthening healthcare systems in underserved regions.

Emaad has also served as an Emergency Medical Technician at Monroeville Fire Company 1 for more than three years. His frontline clinical experience, combined with his leadership in nonprofit and global health work, has deepened his understanding of patient care and the systemic barriers that shape health outcomes for vulnerable communities.

Emaad’s ultimate goal is to become a physician who not only provides excellent clinical care but also advocates for individuals and communities affected by health disparities. Through his leadership, research, and service, he hopes to help close equity gaps, empower communities, and contribute to a more just and inclusive healthcare system.

CHAIRMAN

Zayaan is a senior neuroscience major at the University of Pittsburgh. His passion for pediatric healthcare stems from personal experiences with medical procedures at a young age and the effect it has on children. Zayaan’s vision for medicine includes a commitment to service, and utilizing service to inform his research and clinical care. He is particularly passionate about ensuring the needs of patients are met beyond healthcare bills, addressing the social and economic barriers they face in life resources.

In the research realm, Zayaan is a clinical researcher in UPMCs Department of Neurology, studying multiple sclerosis disease progression. He is also a researcher in the Department of Neurological Surgery, focusing on AI and patient education. In the clinical space, he is an EMT within the local Pittsburgh area.

Formerly the organization’s Treasurer, Zayaan brings valuable experience as Chairman of the Board of Directors. As Chairman, he oversees the overall financial health of the organization, and its long term vision and strategy.

STRATEGIC ADVISOR

Cassie is currently practicing as a pediatrician at UPMC Children's Hospital. She has studied and trained throughout the US and internationally. In addition to providing care to children admitted to the hospital, Cassie is passionate about addressing health inequities and is excited to continue this mission in her role with Spread the Love Projects. She believes in fostering strong relationships between healthcare and the communities that they serve to help children flourish.

As Strategic Advisor, she hopes to use her experience in medicine to help guide the direction of STLP to continue to make impactful change.

DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH

Faraan Rahim is a Harvard Medical Student and 2024 Samvid Scholar who brings a wealth of expertise in global health and implementation science. With three years of research in sub-Saharan Africa addressing non-communicable diseases, Faraan has collaborated with public health leaders across Kenya, Congo, Uganda, and Gambia. Fluent in Swahili and with over 30 publications in top journals like BMJ and Nature Medicine, Faraan will lead our efforts to transform data into actionable insights and advance pediatric health outcomes.

At STLP, Faraan will play a key role in leveraging research findings to develop evidence-based strategies that can be implemented within underserved communities.

COMMUNITY HEALTH EDUCATOR

Alisha Virk is a dedicated Community Health Educator with a passion for empowering individuals and communities to make informed decisions about their health. With a background in Nursing and education, Alisha brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her role.

Alisha holds a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from Misericordia University and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh. Throughout her academic journey, she specialized in community health promotion while focusing on interventions that address health disparities and improve overall well-being.

In her previous roles, she worked closely with diverse communities, tailoring health education to tailor specific needs. Whether facilitating discussions on health management or being an advocate for clients, Alisha is committed to delivering engaging and culturally sensitive health education initiatives.

DIRECTOR OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS

Erza Khan is a student at the University of Pittsburgh and has aspirations of becoming a Physician. As an undergraduate, she is currently majoring in Biology. Her intent is to become a Physician in 7 years by being dedicated and taking summer courses to expedite the process.

As the Director of Internal Affairs here at STLP, Erza promises to oversee all daily external and internal operations of the organization and hold it to the highest standard. Equivalently, she has a desire to make certain that the organization maintains its values stated within the mission statement.

DIRECTOR OF MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS

Hannah is a marketing graduate from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania with experience in both corporate and small business marketing - as well as a background in building brands, growing digital communities, and creating impactful campaigns across a variety of industries. She brings a creative and strategic approach to community engagement at Spread The Love Projects.

In her role, Hannah leads the marketing and communication efforts while developing fresh ideas to expand awareness, strengthen community connections, and elevate the organization’s mission through authentic storytelling, digital strategy, and community-focused marketing.

DIRECTOR OF FINANCE

With over 35 years of international and U.S.-based experience, Zulfiqar is a versatile and accomplished leader in consumer banking, organizational transformation, and product development. He holds Masters degrees in Electronic Commerce, Business Administration, and International Management, reflecting a strong foundation in both business strategy and technology.

Most recently, Zulfiqar led the deposits transformation initiative at UBS, developing a new checking product and supporting systems from the ground up. During a decade at PNC Bank, he held multiple senior roles, including Head of Consumer Checking, where he developed award-winning student and second-chance products for the unbanked population. His leadership helped pioneer Agile product development at PNC which helped the bank streamline a vast portfolio of deposit products and improve the customer experience.

Earlier, at Barclays Bank in Dubai, Zulfiqar directed digital banking strategy across 15 emerging markets, launching mobile and internet banking platforms that served hundreds of thousands of customers. A highlight was the integration with M-Pesa in Kenya, extending banking access to underserved populations.

Recently retired, Zulfiqar plans to use his skill set and experience to ensure that STLP’s financial practices support the organization’s mission. His goal is to drive it toward sustainable growth while maintaining financial stability.

PROGRAM DIRECTOR - CARE PROJECT

Muhammed is a University of Pittsburgh graduate with a degree in Molecular Biology and a minor in Africana Studies. His early experiences in hospitalization wards with his grandmother in Gambia ignited his passion for studying medicine. Currently, he volunteers at UPMC Mercy as an evening reader and also works as a Student Behavioral Associate at UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital. Over the past three years, he has served as a dedicated Jumpstart Corp member, working to bridge the kindergarten-readiness gap in classrooms across under-served communities in Pittsburgh.

In his role as Program Director of the CARE Project, Muhammed is dedicated to developing initiatives that target and alleviate income and health disparities within the populations served by STLP. This involves identifying families and communities in need and strategically allocating resources to address their unique challenges comprehensively through direct volunteering and on-site community engagement.