Meet the Team Here to Serve You

Sehrish Malik

Founder and 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 the Muslim community to navigate life’s stressors and familial challenges. At Maternal Minds, she designs 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.

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. She collaborates closely with team members and oversees project delivery, tailoring initiatives to meet community needs. Her ability to network, establish meaningful partnerships, and strengthen community ties is critical to the ongoing success of Maternal Minds.

Jennifer Harding

  • Meet Jennifer Harding, also known as Khadija since her conversion to Islam and a wonderful mother to three young children. Jennifer's career began in the fashion world, where she introduced a line of elegant, modest evening wear that merged style with modesty.  Now, Jennifer is on the verge of completing her studies in Architectural Technology. This educational path is a stepping stone to her next venture: the launch of JK Harding Designs. Jennifer's vision is to create aesthetically pleasing spaces that serve as safe places, of peace and tranquility.

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. Her primary focus is on helping mothers identify and address cognitive errors that influence their parenting decisions. By examining core beliefs, Madiha helps facilitate sessions that enable mothers to develop calm and attentive mindful parenting skills through evidence-based approaches.

Wardah Nadeem

Intake Coordinator

  • Wardah is a fourth-year student and research assistant at the University of Toronto, majoring in Neuroscience and Psychology. With a focus on child cognitive and linguistic development, she is passionate about pursuing a career in mental health. Her commitment to continuous learning and her enthusiasm for enhancing mental health services for the Muslim community drives her efforts at Maternal Minds.

    As an intake coordinator, Wardah plays a crucial role as the first point of contact for program participants. She is responsible for assessing clients' needs and guiding them through the intake process with care and empathy. Wardah's cultural sensitivity and understanding of the unique challenges faced by Muslim women and youth make her a vital asset to our team.

Zainab Ikram

Event Coordinator

  • Zainab is the Event Coordinator 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 in the Halton region.

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. 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.

    At Maternal Minds, Laaibah plays a crucial role in managing community programs and ensuring their execution. She also contributes to the organization’s design efforts and enhances its social media presence. As a Muslim woman, she is dedicated to improving mental health resources to fostering positive change in the community.

Muntaha Malik

Social Media Coordinator

  • 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, she is training to become a therapist. 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 contributes by overseeing and creating meaningful and engaging content for the organization’s social media platforms. Her dedication to connecting with the Muslim community and promoting well-being shines through her efforts to share impactful resources and enhance Maternal Minds' visibility and engagement.

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.

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.

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.

Join Maternal Minds today!