Earlier this year, I had the honour of joining Milaan Foundation as an Advisory Board member because I truly believe in the transformative power of girls. When given the chance to lead, learn, and dream big, girls can change the world. Through the Girl Icon Program, Milaan is making this possible for adolescent girls in underserved communities across India, giving them the confidence, tools, and mentorship to thrive, including spaces like science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), where girls are often overlooked.

As a mother of two daughters, I've witnessed how transformative access to STEM education truly is. I believe deeply in the power of possibility—and that a girl's opportunities should never be limited by where she's born.

That's why I'm hosting STEMpower Her: A Global Impact Gathering for Girls in STEM on Saturday, October 4th at my home—a special gathering to support Milaan Foundation's Girl Icon Program and my daughter Alina's FIRST Robotics team in their global impact initiative.

Together, we’re building bridges: empowering Girl Icons across India to explore STEM through specially designed kits delivered by Alina’s FIRST robotics team. These kits are more than tools—they’re door openers for girls who might not otherwise get the chance to discover their potential in STEM.

Your support will go far: 90% of all funds will directly support the Girl Icon program's vital work empowering young women in India, while 10% will help Alina's FIRST Robotics team bring this international STEM effort to life.

Join us for an inspiring evening where two worlds connect through innovation, where young people from different continents share the same dreams, and where your support can help ignite the spark of discovery in girls who deserve every chance to explore their full potential.

If you are unable to attend, please consider donating to support the Girl Icon Program and Alina’s FIRST Robotics team’s global impact initiative. Every contribution, no matter the size, will help us reach our goal of $5,000.

STEMpower Her: A Global Impact Gathering for Girls in STEM

A friendraiser hosted by Shazia & Alina for the Girl Icon Program and Alina’s FIRST Robotics Team