Mahir brings a unique blend of executive leadership experience both in the not-for-profit and financial services sectors. Throughout his career, Mahir has established and led multiple organisations in the for-purpose, social enterprise, and banking industries.
Currently, Mahir serves as the CEO of Rotary Australia World Community Service. His previous roles include founding CEO of IIFC Group, founding CEO of Thrive Microfinance, founder and CEO of Regional Opportunities Australia (ROA), founder and executive director of HADIA Foundation, and most recently COO of IBA which is a digital neo-bank introducing choice in banking to a wide segment of the Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities of Australia.
Prior to that, Mahir worked for the World Bank, United Nations and served as a financial adviser to government.
Born in Afghanistan, Mahir became a refugee three times in his life. As a refugee child, Mahir was deprived of access to normal education and hence has taken every opportunity in life to equip himself with as much relevant education as possible to broaden his views but also to aid in the delivery of his professional work.
As such, he has two master’s degrees – an MBA specialising in Finance and Master of Commerce from the University of Sydney specialising in Project Management. As part of his graduate degree, Mahir specialised in accounting. Mahir also is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD).
Mahir was shot by the Taliban in 2012 which forced him to seek refuge in Australia. He is now an Australian citizen and calls Sydney home. His life experiences have taught him an appreciation for life, resilience, determination and is deeply passionate about service to humankind.
In addition to being a director on the board of The Benevolent Society, Mahir sits on the Human Rights Watch committee in Australia and is as founding director of the HADIA Foundation which provides humanitarian aid overseas. Mahir is a past member of the Rotary Club of Sydney and has been a keynote speaker at various international conferences.
MBA, MComm, GAICD
Director since 22 May 2023