Malika Azad

Malika Azad is a dynamic leader and advocate with a rich history of community-building
across local and global platforms. With a lot of experience in education, peacebuilding,
and women's economic empowerment, she brings an unwavering commitment to
fostering inclusive environments where individuals and families thrive. In her current role
as a Family Engagement Specialist with Aurora Public Schools, Malika champions
parental engagement and bridges the gap between schools and diverse communities
through strategic training, outreach, and resource coordination. Her past roles with
Denver South High School showcase her capacity to guide youth development and
build trusting relationships with students, families, and school leadership.
Before her impactful work in Colorado, Malika led high-level initiatives across
Afghanistan with the United Nations Assistance Mission for Afghanistan (UNAMA),
World Bank (WB), United Nations Development Program (UNDP), U.S. Bureau for
International Narcotics and Law Enforcement (INL), and the United States Institute of
Peace (USIP), empowering women farmers, facilitating sub-national peace dialogues,
and driving grassroots social change. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural
Sciences from Kazakh National Agrarian University, speaks Dari fluently, and engages
actively in civic life as a board member and ambassador with organizations like
WorldDenver, Denver Sister Cities International, and Colorado Refugee Speakers
Bureau. Malika’s leadership is grounded in her belief that community empowerment
begins with respectful dialogue, inclusive programming, and a shared vision for equity
and opportunity.