Meet the 2024 Global Impression Award Finalist: Najia Sherzad Hoshmand
After receiving nineteen commendable nominations for this year’s Global Impression Award (GIA), our GIA Committee at The International Center has thoughtfully narrowed down the nominations to three remaining finalists: Svitlana Ramer, Sven Nelson, and Najia Hoshmand. Each of these finalists have made significant contributions and impacts to the global community in Indiana.
Najia Sherzad Hoshmand, MBA
As a refugee from Afghanistan herself, Najia knows and understands many of the struggles that others are facing upon arrival to Indiana and the United States. She has tirelessly dedicated herself to helping refugees in Indiana feel welcomed, safe, and supported.
While staying in the refugee resettlement with her family at Camp Atterbury in Indiana, Najia helped U.S. military with interpreting up to five different languages, teaching English, and advocating for the other refugees there.
After being in Indiana for just three years, Najia has also involved herself in several academic and professional experiences. Namely, she has completed a Master of Business Administration at the Kelley School of Business, become a member of the Nationalities Council of Indiana, became a board member and Community Partner of Patchwork Indy and their Welcome Corps program, founded the Afghan American Community Center organization in Indianapolis, and worked as a Finance Manager at the Marion County Treasurer’s Office. Most recently, Najia has become the Director of Refugee Resettlement at Patchwork Indy.
Najia’s drive and motivation did not just start here in the United States. While in Afghanistan, she became the first woman in Afghanistan to work as a foreign currency exchange dealer, the first woman treasurer in the Afghanistan banking sector, and the first woman in Afghanistan to be appointed Deputy Chief Financial Officer. Najia continues to make considerable impacts in serving refugees in our community daily through partnership, advocacy, and support.
Join us on October 24th as we celebrate the GIA finalists at the International Citizen of the Year event. Click here for more information or to buy tickets.
