EXECUTIVE BOARD
SIDDIGA AHMED
Executive Director
Siddiga is a medical counselor, Social Worker, and community leader. She has a bachelor’s in social work from UNCG and a master’s in clinical social work from the Joint program of UNCG & A&T. She has worked with refugees and immigrants since 2007 assisting many families in the Triad area. She had been elected to be the chair of the International Advisory Committee of Greensboro from 2019 - 2021. She is the founder of Helping Hands USA which is an attempt to serve those in need on a larger scale. She had won Minerva Award for Distinguished Service from UNCG and the outstanding volunteer Award from GIA. She has served on several nonprofit boards and committees including Greensboro African public Action Committee and Habitat for Humanity.
MICHAEL BURGE
Chair
Michael served in senior accounting, financial, and operational management roles for over 40 years in various diverse industries with operations in Europe, Canada and across the United States. Companies served ranged in size from $3 million up to $430 million of sales per year. Positions held include Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer; Vice President Group Controller Worldwide; Corporate Controller; Division Controller; Manager of Strategy Development and Integration, and Executive Director. Industries served include Nonprofits producing under Federal contracts; Apparel and Non-Woven Textiles; Glass Container Manufacturing; Office Products and Equestrian Merchandising and Distribution. He earned a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from the University of Washington, Seattle, Washington with emphasis on Finance, International Business, and Managerial Accounting. He later earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina – Greensboro in Financial Accounting.
Following his retirement, Michael has chosen to focus his knowledge and experience on the nonprofit sector with a special focus on underserved immigrant and refugee communities.
RAZAZ AHMED MD
Vice Chair
Medical Coordinator for NGO for kids with special needs, Former medical director for SCAA, She is an active leader in the community and served on several nonprofit boards and committees including Donate to Educate.
GENE PRESSINGER
Vice Chair
Gene graduated from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 2023, obtaining a B.S. in Computer Science and a B.A. in Political Science, with minors in Islamic Studies and Mathematics. Currently, he works as a software developer for the Department of Nutrition at UNCG, where he is responsible for creating an app designed for young teenagers to monitor their health and promote healthy eating habits. In the past, he has held various roles, including being a teacher assistant at UNCG, a computer science and mathematics tutor, and a part-time lecturer at NC A&T University for high school STEM camps.
In addition to his academic and professional achievements, he actively engages with various youth campuses, offering his expertise and knowledge to inspire and educate young minds in STEM-related fields. Through his involvement with these organizations, he seeks to make a positive impact on the lives of others and foster a stronger and more compassionate community.
MUNEER AHMED
Treasurer
Muneer has B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and a Master’s degree in industrial management. He has over 24 years of experience in various levels of quality management. He served on several nonprofit boards and committees including Greensboro African public Action Committee.
MOHAMED BAKIE
Secretary
A local business owner and a community activist who has established a mission to act and speak on behalf of those who are marginalized and undeserved within our community and beyond. He served on many boards and committees including Greensboro African public Action Committee.
BOARD MEMBERS
Committed to the Cause
Coming together from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences, our skilled team of professionals is the backbone of GIVING HANDS US. Their ideas help shape the direction and mission of our organization as it continues to develop. Read on to learn more about some of our incredible team members.
SOSAN ABDALLAH. MD
Board Member
Consultant Nephrologist MBBS,University of Khartoum- Faculty of Medicine
IM and Nephrology-State University of New York at Brooklyn Downstate Medical Center
* American Board of Internal Medicine, Internal Medicine and Nephrology
Sosan is very active in the community. She joined many committees and boards including Sudan house. She served as a president of Sudan House medical comittee during COVID-19.
LIZZIE BIDDLE
Board Member
Lizzie Biddle holds a Master of Arts in Peace and Conflict Studies from UNC Greensboro. She worked with immigrants and refugees in Greensboro at the University of North Carolina Greensboro’s Center for New North Carolinians for ten years. Throughout her time at the CNNC, She spent the bulk of her time overseeing services and programs in four different community-based sites in area neighborhoods with large numbers of newcomers. As part of her studies, she completed a graduate student internship with the U.S. State Department Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration in Washington DC, Lizzie has traveled extensively internationally with the specific goal of studying forced migration, Lizzie now works as a trainer and organizer with the Racial Equity Institute.
SALMA FARAH
Board Member
Assistant Principal at Greensboro Islamic Academy.
Interpreter at Communication Access.
DR. MOUSSA ISSIFOU
Board Member
Moussa is a Teaching Assistant Professor at NC A&T State University, President of the Islamic Center of Greensboro, president of Greensboro African public Action Committee, former Chairman of Greensboro Human Relations Commission.
AMBER KHAN
Board Member
Amber Khan is a consultant and advocate and has vast experience in community service work. She has served on the executive boards of several non-profit organizations during the last 7 years. One of her goals is to continue to bridge the gaps of communication between the many organizations and institutions that she is affiliated within the Central North Carolina region.
In addition to her experience in community engagement, Amber is a trained counselor and educator. She is especially dedicated to removing the stigma of counseling and mental illness among immigrants and refugees. She is an Alumni of UNC Greensboro and NC A&T State University. She has been elected as an executive member of the International Advisory Committee.
ZOHAIR A. MOHAMMED
Board Member
Zuhair is a Sudanese community leader living in Greensboro since 1992 and active in community service areas especially education, charity, and social activities.
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MUSTAFA MUSTAFA
Board Member
Mustafa is a Software Engineer with a certificate in Full Stack Development from the University of Pennsylvania Coding Bootcamp Program. He contributes to the growth of small tech startups and organizations at Fireside Solutions while actively supporting his family's local auto business. Mustafa's non-profit experience includes founding and leading the Muslim Student Organization and working with Code for America on impactful civic projects, such as facilitating COVID-19 testing and vaccine center access. He also mentors and encourages innovation in tech through hackathons, showing his dedication to positive change and community involvement.
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