Meet the Team Here to Serve You

Sehrish Malik, PhD

Founder & Program Director

  • Sehrish Malik balances her roles with the joys and challenges of motherhood by raising two daughters. She holds a Ph.D. in Humanities from York University, specializing in gender-based trauma, psychoanalysis, motherhood, and the process of loss and mourning. 

    Her interest in psychotherapy integration and intersectionality, coupled with her expertise in mindfulness-based programs, laid the foundation for Maternal Minds. This initiative is important for providing Muslim families with supportive, culturally attuned care.

  • Sehrish is committed to developing accessible and empowering resources for Muslim mothers to navigate life’s stressors and familial challenges. At Maternal Minds, she designs and facilitates programs aimed at helping mothers recognize their strengths, overcome obstacles, and reach their full potential. A fulfilling life for Sehrish is grounded in spiritual growth, nurturing her children, finding joy in writing, and dedicating her time to community service.

Wardah Nadeem

Intake & Research Coordinator

  • Wardah serves as an Intake and Research Coordinator at Maternal Minds, bringing her academic background in neuroscience and psychology to her role.

  • As the program participants' first point of contact, Wardah carefully assesses clients' needs and guides them through the intake process with compassion and care. Her commitment to continuous learning and her enthusiasm for enhancing mental health services for the Muslim community drives her efforts at Maternal Minds.

Sanna Padela

Lead Project Coordinator

  • Sanna Padela brings extensive expertise to her role as Lead Project Coordinator for our capacity-building project. A mother of four, she holds a Master of Science in Physiology from the University of Toronto and a Bachelor of Science in Midwifery from McMaster University. She is currently pursuing certification in Birth Trauma Counselling and has specialized training in Midwifery. Her experience as a birth and postpartum doula in our Muslim community demonstrates her dedication to culturally competent care.

  • At Maternal Minds, Sanna develops organizational structures and procedures, ensuring the effective implementation of outreach strategies to enhance community engagement.

Khadhija Baig

Therapist

  • Khadhija is a Master of Social Work graduate from the University of Toronto, specializing in Health and Mental Health and is a registered social worker in Ontario. As a mother to a toddler, she understands the changes and challenges this brings to one’s life. Khadhija strives to create an authentic, supportive environment where clients feel empowered on their journey toward personal growth.

  • As a therapist at Maternal Minds, Khadhija provides one-on-one therapy sessions for Muslim mothers. She is committed to creating a safe, non-judgmental space for healing and empowerment. Using a collaborative approach rooted in Motivational Interviewing, she integrates Emotion-Focused CBT, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Mindfulness, and Islamic Values into her work. Khadhija helps clients build coping skills through techniques like breathwork and grounding, empowering them toward personal growth and well-being.

Sayo Ibsa

Project Assistant

  • Sayo is a researcher with an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from McMaster University and a Research Analyst graduate certificate from Humber College. As a Black Muslim woman, she draws on her lived experiences to bring empathy and diverse perspectives to her work.

  • At Maternal Minds, Sayo assists with planning, organizing, and implementing our capacity-building project. She is passionate about social justice and DEI, focusing on contributing to meaningful initiatives that support underserved communities and create lasting impact.

Khadija Harding

Creative Project Designer

  • Khadija Harding is a mother of three and a talented creative professional. Her journey began in the fashion industry, where she launched a line of elegant, modest evening wear, skillfully blending contemporary style with modesty.

  • With a passion for design and innovation, Jennifer has recently completed her studies in Architectural Design, further expanding her creative expertise. She now serves as the Creative Project Designer for our Capacity-Building Project, where she applies her unique vision and creative skills to develop materials that align with our community-centered approach.

Beenish Jalil

Practicum Student

  • Beenish is a dedicated mother of three children with a rich background in healthcare. Formerly a practicing dentist, she has transitioned into the field of psychotherapy and is currently a practicum student, pursuing her passion for helping others navigate life’s challenges.

  • As a practicum student, she is committed to creating an empathic, judgment free, and nurturing space where an individual can focus on self growth and healing. She works with clients dealing with past traumas, depression, anxiety, relationship issues, grief, anger, sense of isolation, and those seeking personal growth.

Madiha Hussain

Group Support Facilitator

  • Madiha is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Counselling Psychology at Yorkville University. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Child Studies and Psychology from Concordia University in Montreal. Madiha is dedicated to raising awareness about mental health issues within the Muslim community and advocating for mindful parenting practices.

  • At Maternal Minds, she utilizes her strong interest in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) to empower mothers.

Laaibah Nadeem

Program Coordinator

  • Laaibah is a student at the University of Toronto, majoring in Applied Statistics with minors in Computer Science and Mathematical Sciences.

  • At Maternal Minds, she is passionate about creating digital solutions to address the mental health challenges faced by Muslim families. With aspirations to build a career at the intersection of technology and mental health, she is driven to use her skills to make a meaningful impact.

Zainab Ikram

Volunteer

  • Zainab is a volunteer at Maternal Minds, where she brings her passion for social justice, law and public speaking to drive meaningful change.

  • She is responsible for planning and managing events that provide essential resources and support to Muslim mothers in the Halton region. Through her role, Zainab ensures that events run smoothly and effectively, offering valuable resources and fostering a sense of connection and support for Muslim families.

Muntaha Malik

Volunteer

  • After graduating from the University of Toronto with a major in Psychology and minors in Women’s Studies and International Development, Muntaha has developed a unique understanding of Muslim women’s intersectional identities. Currently pursuing a master’s degree in counselling psychology at Yorkville University, Muntaha’s compassion and culturally sensitive approach make her a valuable resource for those seeking guidance and support in faith and personal development.

  • At Maternal Minds, Muntaha assists with our yearly conference by sharing impactful resources, enhancing our visibility and community engagement. Muslim community demonstrates her dedication to culturally competent care.

Zainab Thawer

Steering Committee

  • Zainab was born and raised in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and immigrated to Canada in 2016. With a Public Health and Psychology background, she paused her career in 2021 to focus on raising her daughter. Parenting has been one of the most transformative experiences of her life, fostering immense personal growth and a deeper appreciation of being a caregiver. Zainab is passionate about learning from other Muslim mothers and hearing about their unique journeys.

  • As a Steering Committee Member for the Capacity Building Project at Maternal Minds, Zainab brings valuable insight and dedication to supporting Muslim families and helping to strengthen community connections.

Meet The Board Members

Kashmala Qasim

  • Kashmala Qasim has a PhD in History, Theory, and Critical Psychology from York University, where her research explored how Qur'anic learning shapes Muslim women's perceptions of empowerment, well-being, and identity through a Standpoint Feminist lens. Kashmala also holds a Qur'anic Studies Diploma from Al Huda Institute. She is currently a postdoctoral fellow at the Wilson Centre, where she conducts research and develops educational resources to address Islamophobia in medical education and practice. 

  • As a Board Member Director at Maternal Minds, Kashmala ensures the organization's resilience and sustainability. She contributes to developing long-term strategic plans, ensuring that the organization remains focused and adaptable to changing circumstances and community needs.

Sabahath Akbar

  • Introducing Sabahath Akbar, a devoted mother to a wonderful son and professional with a kinesiology, medical analysis, and law background. After earning a distinction from the University of Toronto's Faculty of Law LLM, Sabahath has dedicated herself to the legal profession. As a lawyer, she specializes in crafting, planning, and ensuring compliance tailored to her client's unique personal and commercial requirements. In addition to her legal endeavors, Sabahath finds joy in cars, travel, literature, and fashion.

  • As a Board Member Director, Sabahath brings a diverse skill set to shape a well-rounded approach to organizational management. Taking charge of Maternal Minds' mission, values, and strategic goals, Sabahath ensures alignment with the organization's overarching vision, organizational policies, and procedures.

Cathy Broccolini

  • Meet Cathy Broccolini, a mother of three and an experienced professional in the transport and logistics industry. With a background in travel and tourism, Cathy transitioned into bookkeeping, applying her skills to support operations as a partner in the transport business. After converting to Islam in 2013, she embarked on a new chapter in life, taking a 17-year career break to focus on raising her children. Cathy now hopes to inspire others who have been out of the workforce for an extended period by sharing her journey of resilience and reintegration into professional life. In her free time, Cathy enjoys knitting, watching movies, and taking road trips with her family.

  • As a Board Member Director, she brings invaluable expertise and leadership, offering essential insights that help drive the organization's growth and success with her unique perspective and dedication.

Seema Shaikh

  • Meet Seema Shaikh, a vibrant and accomplished professional juggling the demands of a thriving career as a business analyst with the joys of motherhood to three wonderful girls. Beyond the boardroom, she brings her creativity to life as a spontaneous and talented baker. Her academic achievements include a public policy and management degree and a human resources information systems certificate from York University. Her dedication to supporting the Muslim community while managing multiple roles fuels her commitment to being an integral part of Maternal Minds.

  • As a Board Member Director, Seema takes on the crucial responsibility of overseeing the planning, execution, and completion of projects within our organization. She seeks to be an integral part of a dynamic team, actively contributing to the organization's growth.

Join Maternal Minds today!