Office of the CEO
Khalil Z. Shariff, Chief Executive Officer
Khalil joined Aga Khan Foundation Canada as Chief Executive Officer in August 2005. He was previously with the Toronto office of McKinsey & Company, an international management consultancy, where he advised governments, financial institutions, and health care providers on strategy, organization, and operational improvement.
Khalil served on AKFC’s National Committee for five years, and has cultivated his interest in international development and conflict resolution issues through a variety of activities including: Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Harvard Negotiation Law Review; Policy Co-ordinator and Research Associate, Harvard Program on Humanitarian Policy and Conflict Research; Legal Intern, Chambers of the Vice-President, International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda in Arusha, Tanzania; Intern, Office of Under-Secretary-General, UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations. He was the youngest member ever elected as a School Trustee in 1993 for the Board of School Trustees in Richmond, B.C.
Khalil holds a B.A. in International Relations and Economics from the University of British Columbia and a J.D. magna cum laude from Harvard Law School.
Senior Management
Kiersten Eyes, Director of Public Engagement and Resource Mobilization
As the Director of Public Engagement and Resource Mobilization, Kiersten is leading the next phase of Aga Khan Foundation Canada’s longstanding work in building support among Canadians for global development and raising funds for AKFC’s programming.
She brings to the Foundation two decades of experience in community-based fundraising and a passion for engaging volunteers and supporters, committed to meeting people where they’re at. Kiersten has held a variety of roles in organizations both large and small, rallying communities to affect change. This includes time at SickKids Foundation and the Canadian Cancer Society.
As a leader, she is learning and unlearning in order to foster belonging for all. Kiersten is a graduate of the University of Guelph.
Kristie Kelly, Senior Manager, Human Resources, North America
Kristie leads HR processes and practices to empower employees and enable their success within AKFC and AKF USA. She is committed to promoting an organizational culture founded in the values of the AKDN and to delivering HR strategies, programs and initiatives that support and promote an inclusive, engaging, and inspiring place to work and develop. Kristie has worked with international human rights and international development organizations for 22 years in public engagement, volunteer engagement and human resources roles. Her other roles include parent, volunteer manager, choral singer, quilter, and outdoor enthusiast!
Mike Bowles, Regional Co-Director, Programs & Partnerships, North America
Mike joined the Aga Khan Development Network in 2005, working on community-based microfinance in Tajikistan. Over the next two decades, he held leadership roles in programs and partnerships based in Tajikistan, Canada, Switzerland and most recently in the Kyrgyz Republic. From 2012 to 2024, Mike co-led AKF’s global Work & Enterprise portfolio, helping design and oversee flagship multi-country initiatives at Aga Khan Foundation (AKF), such as Future of Work, Accelerate Prosperity, and Central Asia Poverty. On AKF’s behalf, Mike has served on several regional and country Board of Directors, been a mentor on AKF’s global Women’s Leadership Programme, and served as an Advisory Board member on the Enterprise Development and Microfinance Journal.
On 1 June 2024, Mike transitioned to his current role as AKF’s Co-Director, Programs and Partnerships, North America, based in Ottawa. Mike holds a BPAPM from Carleton University and an MA in Political Science and Collaborative International Development Studies from the University of Guelph.
Salim Ferozali, Regional Chief Financial Officer, North America
Salim Ferozali is the Regional Chief Financial Officer and leads the Operations teams, covering Finance, Information Technology, Administration, and Donor Services, for Aga Khan Foundation units in North America. He also serves as CFO for the Global Centre for Pluralism. Before taking on this role, Salim worked for various leadership roles with AKF units in East Africa, Afghanistan, and Pakistan for over 20 years.
Salim is a Chartered Professional Accountant in Canada (CPA, CMA). He also holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Karachi and has received qualification for Cost and Management Accounting (CMA) from the Institute of Cost and Management Accountants of Pakistan.
Zahra Lutfeali, Regional Co-Director, Programs & Partnerships, North America
Zahra comes to AKF with over 15 years of dedicated leadership in the international development sector, having honed her skills in managing intricate, multi-million-dollar programs aimed at driving impactful change with leading international development organizations including PATH, Counterpart International, and Aga Khan Foundation Afghanistan. Zahra’s approach centers on leveraging data to craft robust implementation strategies, establish sustainability benchmarks, and influence policy decisions. Throughout her career, she has successfully led diverse teams across 33 countries, applying her expertise in program design, data utilization, and impact assessment to deliver tangible results. Notably, her adeptness in resource mobilization strategies has contributed to securing over $500,000,000 USD in revenue across various development sectors, underscoring her commitment to driving meaningful progress and lasting change.
Zahra is also deeply entrenched in her community and is currently serving as the Chair of the Board of Directors of API Chaya, a Seattle based NGO focused on supporting women and children who have experienced abuse. Zahra holds a BA from the University of Washington and a master’s degree from Columbia University.
Zahra Tejpar, Director of Legal Affairs
Zahra Tejpar is the Director of Legal Affairs, supporting Aga Khan Foundation Canada; the Aga Khan Museum; the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat, Canada; and the Global Centre for Pluralism. Prior to joining AKFC, Zahra served as in-house counsel at Imperial Oil for 7 years, advising on corporate and commercial matters, employment and human resources, technology, intellectual property, contracting, and a wide variety of regulatory matters and processes. Previously, Zahra was an Associate at Norton Rose Fulbright LLP for six years with a strong general corporate/commercial practice. Zahra has extensive volunteer experience in legal and governance matters, having served as the Chair and Vice-Chair of FOCUS Humanitarian Assistance Canada, Deputy Legal Member of the Ismaili Council for Canada, and Legal Member of the Ismaili Council for the Prairies. Zahra is currently a board member of the Calgary International Film Festival and chair of its Governance Committee.
Zahra holds a B.Com (with Distinction) in International Business from the University of Alberta and a J.D. from the University of Western Ontario. Zahra resides in Calgary with her husband and two young children.
