Nemat Sadat is the Chief Executive Director of Roshaniya. He is also author of best-selling novel The Carpet Weaver and winner of the 2022 PinkNews Campaigner of the Year award for his activism to secure safety for LGBT+ people in Afghanistan. In 2012, while teaching at the American University of Afghanistan, he secretly mobilized a gay movement off campus but was then persecuted by the Afghan authorities and deemed a national security threat. Sadat has previously worked at the UN Chronicle, ABC News's Nightline, CNN's Fareed Zakaria GPS, and has earned seven university degrees, including graduate degrees from Harvard, Columbia, Oxford, and Johns Hopkins. Sadat currently resides in San Diego, California but considers himself a vegan vagabond.

Ozlam Mahshar is a prominent Transgender Afghan activist and Advocacy Director at Roshaniya. Ozlam turned her home into a sanctuary after providing a refuge for LGBT+ Afghans from the provinces who faced honor violence and oppression at home and ran away to Kabul in search of a better life. Ozlam staged the first powerful protest for LGBT+ Afghans in Pakistan and her trailblazing act of courage spread around the world. Ozlam has appeared on Afghanistan International, The Independent, Metro, PinkNews, Sunday National, YahooNews. Ozlam graduated from Ablad Adabi Dawai High School and she speaks both Dari and Pashto. Roshaniya relocated Ozlam to Toronto, Canada in 2022. She hopes to become a celebrity makeup artist and continue her passion fighting for LGBT+ rights in Afghanistan.

Sadaf Coco is a transgender woman from Afghanistan who fled the country with her partner after the Taliban's takeover in 2021. She was born as Sayed Ashraf and raised in a conservative family. As a child, she felt a disconnect between her gender identity and the expectations placed on her. This led to internal conflict and eventually, rejection from her family and society. Sadaf found solace in the transgender community in Kabul, where she embraced her identity and found acceptance. She worked as a dancer at private events and weddings, finding joy and community in her chosen profession. However, the Taliban's return to power threatened her safety and forced her to flee the country. Sadaf's story highlights the challenges faced by LGBT+ individuals in Afghanistan, particularly under the Taliban regime. Her journey is one of resilience, self-acceptance, and the fight for survival in the face of adversity. Sadaf's role at Roshaniya is to cultivate long-term relationships with our donors and spearheading our fundraising efforts.

Hamid Mahzon is a Software Developer and Chief Technology Officer at Roshaniya. During the Republic era of Afghanistan, Hamid worked for the Ministry of Defense and Ministry of Interior. As a fearless LGBT+ activist and skillful technologist, Hamid possesses a vast reservoir of expertise in web development and a dedication to using technology to empower students and organizations. Hamid has worked as a Full-Stack Developer and knows how to build dynamic and user-centered websites and applications. He is proficient in languages like PHP, JavaScript, and MySQL and frameworks like Laravel and CodeIgniter. Hamed is a highly resourceful project leader at Roshaniya. He demonstrates leadership skills by guiding our team and ensuring projects are completed on time and within budget. He possesses strong communication and collaborates effectively with everyone. Hamid recently completed his master’s degree in computer science at China West Normal University where he also served as the President of the International Student Union where he worked with his peers and focused on developing user-centered applications suggest a passion for using technology to improve learning experiences and empower individuals. Prior to his studies in China, Hamid's experience suggests he worked on developing and maintaining software solutions for government organizations in Afghanistan. This experience likely gave him a strong foundation in understanding diverse technical needs.

Méabh (Maeve) Alcina Pieescu, a courageous Trans-femme activist, was born and raised in Saudi Arabia. Her journey with the English language began at the tender age of six, as she absorbed vocabulary and nuances from movies and TV shows. At fourteen, her life took an unexpected turn when she was forced to relocate to Afghanistan. During the tumultuous period of the Taliban takeover, Méabh discovered her true identity as a trans woman. Despite the overwhelming challenges, she threw herself into various work roles to cope. However, she soon realized that true self-discovery could not be postponed indefinitely. Over the years, Méabh has worn many hats—from florist to international relations officer, where she excelled in drafting contracts with universities worldwide. Her passion for art and culture, particularly works from queer individuals, has been a guiding light in her life. Currently, Méabh dedicates her skills in languages and international relations to support the queer community. Her mission is to use her diverse expertise to create a safer, more inclusive world for all

Parvin Hosseini, born on August 5, 2004, in Ghazni, Afghanistan, grew up in a middle-class family. At six, her family moved to Kabul, where she faced numerous challenges but remained committed to her education. Initially attending Shahrak Mahdia High School, she transferred to Setaregan Tamadon Private High School to pursue better academic opportunities. Parvin harbored ambitions of becoming a leader and was passionate about politics, believing it was crucial for shaping the future. She also excelled in volleyball, becoming a top player in her region. Her education was disrupted by the Taliban's takeover, which banned girls from attending school. Despite this, she continued her studies secretly for a short time and formed a close friendship with Maryam Jan. During the oppressive regime, Parvin discovered a passion for tattoo artistry and worked as a dental assistant, seeking financial independence. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, Parvin advocates for the rights of marginalized individuals, emphasizing her pride in her identity. She has actively volunteered in her community, particularly in polio vaccination campaigns. A lifelong learner, she finds solace in books, especially in history and political science. Parvin values freedom, friendship, and the courage to embrace new experiences. She remains determined to fight for her dreams despite the challenges she faces as a Hazara girl in Afghanistan.