FOUNDER/CEO

PRESIDENT

Emaad earned a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences with a minor in Chemistry and a Certificate in Conceptual Foundations of Medicine from the University of Pittsburgh. Following his ambitions to close the health care equity gap, Emaad’s research focuses on conducting a literature review on sports participation among middle and high school students, as well as the relationship between socioeconomic status and access to orthopedic care and athletic training among student-athletes. In addition, he is also an active volunteer, serving as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) at Monroeville Fire Company 1, where he has been a proud member for over three years.

Emaad's multifaceted experiences have deepened his understanding of the fundamental elements of medicine and the healthcare system. His ultimate goal is to become a physician, who not only comprehends the medical field from its core, but also actively advocates for individuals who are struggling due to health disparities in hopes to close equity gaps.

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.

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

Dilara is a student at the University of Pittsburgh, currently studying Marketing and Computer Science. In addition, she has a Certificate in Digital Marketing, wherein she honed her expertise in web content development.

In her role as the Director of Marketing Communications at STLP, Dilara is responsible for leading both the Marketing and Community Outreach Departments. She's dedicated to taking these departments to new heights and plans to use her skills in brand strategy to meet the foundation's needs. Dilara's goal is to bring fresh ideas and excellence to our communication and outreach efforts.

TREASURER

Zayaan is a 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 focuses outside of the organization include melanoma, graft preservation, and burn research within UPMC’s Department of Plastic Surgery, as well as clinical volunteering in numerous settings.

As treasurer, Zayaan contributes to Spread the Love Projects by overseeing and managing the finances of the organization, as well as assisting in budget planning and financial decision making.

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.