2014

2014: The year I launched this website, my personal treasure of recollections, resources, and records.

As a journalist, artist and real sentimentalist, I have thoroughly enjoyed expanding my digital archive! I hope you have found my references and musings informative, inspiring, or at the very least, intriguing. Through farahnazahmad.com, I have tried to capture those people and places that propelled passion and provoked emotion! Figures who influenced my mind, faces so warm and kind, feelings oh so divine....! 

2014, you reached into my soul and enlightened a piece of my being to the wonders of the world. You preached that success = living a dream!

2014, you expanded my horizons beyond my career, to understand the social, cultural, economic, and political context of the world I breathe and work in!

2014, here are my top ten highlights! THANK YOU for these opportunities.

1) The opportunity to fundraise for charity:water.

Thanks to my family, friends, colleagues, a few anonymous strangers + the power of social media, my initial goal was more than doubled.. at a whopping total of $2400+. All to support the development of water infrastructure in Ethiopia. Click here to view the campaign results. 

(Do yourself a favor- take three minutes of your time to watch this video and learn about the global water crisis. I promise, you won't regret it).

2) Language and music

The excitement of expanding my Spanish and Russian language skills, as well as spending time on my music producing (FL Studio) and guitar hobbies. But, next year, I promise I'll be even more fluent and more musical!

3) Connecting with the Pakistani community

Through involvement in the American Pakistan Foundation, I interviewed Nafis Sadik and Cynthia Ritchie, pioneers of the Pakistani spirit, with the chance to meet both in New York. These women were born to lead! #inspiration

Pakathon 2014 was brilliantly motivating- young entrepreneurs taking the leading edge to further develop innovative platforms for Pakistan. 

4) Asia Society Policy Institute (ASPI) Launch at New York's Asia Society

Seeing and hearing a historical figure... whose name I had only read in textbooks- Henry Kissinger, former U.S. Secretary of State, delivered brilliant responses to the moderator. Meeting and speaking with Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz was a real honor, too. Read about the experience here.

5) The 2014 Social Good Summit

A convening of professionals and leaders to establish one commitment: simply make the world a better place.

I met Sheryl WuDunn and Nicholas Kristof, who even autographed my copy of 'A Path Appears.' I highly recommend this read, as it has influenced me to 'give back!' Power celebrities who have committed to social good through their ventures participated in panels or presented. Amongst those I was honored to hear speak were: Michael Dell, Juju Chang (ABC News correspondent), Dr. Muhammad Yunus, Connie Britton, Melinda Gates, Richard Curtis, and more.

It was also truly memorable when Alicia Keys took the stage with her piano, preached and sang why "We Are Here", and pledged $1 million for social good!

Read more here.

6) 500 Days of Action at the United Nations

..to hear U.S. Sec-Gen Ban Ki-moon and Malala Yousafzai. Read about my experience here!

7) Becoming A World At School Global Youth Ambassador

Getting involved in the cause of education and connecting with other passionate peers around the world. 

8) FIFA world cup

The absolute thrill of the FIFA World Cup and the sense of community it established everywhere! The USMNT made me absolutely proud with their brilliant performance! #1n1t #onenationoneteam #Ibelieve

9) becoming a green building professional

These credentials broadened my framework of green building design and construction. Read about my journey here.

10) The return of the Solar RoofPod

...back to The City College of New York campus. The Solar RoofPod, our 2011 entry for the U.S. Department of Energy's Solar Decathlon, beautifully rests atop The Bernard and Anne Spitzer School of Architecture. Read about the Roofpod's return here.