New Horizon Board

Basheer Khan, founder and CEO of KNEX Technology, is an industry-leading expert in Oracle Cloud applications and technology, with over 38 years of experience in information technology and enterprise architecture. He is recognized by Oracle as one of only three ACE Directors globally, with expertise in Fusion Applications. Oracle Magazine has honored him as Oracle’s Integration Architect of the Year. A frequent speaker on the capabilities of Oracle Cloud Applications & Technology at major international conferences, he has been published numerous times.

Passionate about education, Mr. Khan has been serving on the Board of Trustees of New Horizon School Irvine since 2021, is currently the Vice Chair, and a member of the Executive Committee. Prior to this, Mr. Khan also served three-year terms each on the Boards of both the New Horizon West Los Angeles and Irvine schools, chairing their respective Accreditation Committees to successfully help these campuses get accredited with the California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS) and the Western Association of Schools & Colleges (WASC).

A resident of Irvine since 2003, Mr. Khan enjoys traveling with his wife, Nishat Khan and cherishing time with daughters, Yumna Khan and Nimah Khan, both New Horizon alums.

Dr. Mona Zanhour is an Associate Professor of Human Resource Management (HRM) in the College of Business at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB), and has over 20 years of experience spanning management consulting, HRM, and higher education. As a faculty member at CSULB, Dr. Zanhour served as chair of the graduate program curriculum committee and chair of faculty hiring committees; she currently serves as HRM curriculum chair and faculty liaison on the CSULB HR Advisory Board. Her research work has been published in journals such as Journal of Business Ethics and Harvard Business Review.

On the New Horizon Board of Trustees, Dr. Zanhour currently serves as Secretary and is a member of the Executive Committee. She also chaired the Strategic Planning taskforce, collaborating with New Horizon leadership to identify and develop the school’s strategic priorities. Dr. Zanhour is the proud mother of one New Horizon alumnus and a current 6th grader. She is deeply committed to the values and mission of New Horizon and is passionate about supporting the school’s growth and success. As a trustee, Dr. Zanhour brings a broad range of experience from her academic and leadership roles, along with her personal dedication to the New Horizon community.

Usman Aijaz is a committed member of the New Horizon Board, currently serving his second term. With over 18 years of experience in consulting and leadership, he is a Managing Director at Deloitte Consulting, specializing in technology transformation within the Technology, Media & Entertainment industry. His expertise includes advising Fortune 500 companies on enterprise solutions, digital strategy, and operational efficiencies.

As a proud parent of three children—one a New Horizon alum and two currently enrolled—Usman has been actively involved with the school for several years. His engagement is driven by a strong commitment to fostering a values-based, enriching educational environment. He chairs the Finance Committee and serves on the Executive Committee, playing a key role in strategic initiatives that support the school’s long-term vision and growth.

Beyond his professional and board commitments, Usman enjoys long-distance running, traveling, and exploring diverse cultures.

Nadine has been an attorney for over 20 years, and currently working as a consultant for the last 10.  She has been passionate about her community and involved in many charities.  Prior to joining the Board, she co-founded and served on the board of a non-profit for Syrian refugees.  The organization started as an idea to help those in need and grew to a camp that served over 30,000 refugees with food, shelter, clothing, schooling and later, an orphanage.  She also co-founded a local charity that helped give Eid gifts and care packages to various refugee women and children in the area.  Her work involved the filing or the organization, working with local organizations to best serve those in need, creating and hosting fundraising events to fund the projects.  Lastly, she also served on board of an organization that created an Arab-American education foundation that helps ensure Texas/Houston universities have a funded program to help educate students on Arab-American studies.

Nadine’s many nieces and nephews attend New Horizon, in addition to all her friends’ children!  She loves to spend time with family/friends, cook, travel, and workout in her spare time.

Ali brings a wealth of experience operating high-growth technology businesses, having spent over a decade at Adobe in leadership roles focused on artificial intelligence and customer engagement. His professional background also includes positions at several technology companies, where he specialized in product management and marketing.

Beyond his career, Ali is deeply committed to his family and the school community. He enjoys coaching his kids’ baseball and softball teams and values travel as a way to learn and grow together as a family. In his free time, he has a passion for music, tennis, basketball, and collecting original comic book art.

Ahmed Darrat is a dedicated member of the New Horizon School Board of Trustees. He joined the board in 2023 and brings a wealth of professional and civic experience to the role.

Professionally, Mr. Darrat serves as the Chief Product Officer at INRIX, a leading transportation technology company. His background as a civil engineer, with over a decade of experience in municipal government and as a strategic planning consultant, provides him with a valuable perspective in guiding the school’s long-term vision.
Mr. Darrat’s connection to New Horizon is deeply personal. He is the father of two students, one in the class of 2027 and the other in the class of 2033. As a parent who grew up and lived in multiple muslim communities across the United States, he feels strongly about the school’s commitment to preparing children for success in high school and beyond. He is particularly drawn to the school’s unique approach of fostering a positive American Muslim identity without compromising academic excellence. He believes this balance is crucial for students’ development and future success.

I am a Structural Engineer with a PhD in Structural and Earthquake Engineering from UCLA (1992). Since 2000, I have been a principal partner in a full-service Architectural/Engineering company based in Irvine, providing professional design and consulting services to a broad range of clients and project types.  I have served on various non-profit boards, including the Northwood High School Site Committee (2 years), the California State University-Fullerton Industry Advisory Board (2 years), the Structural Engineers Association of Southern California (3 years), and the State of California Hospital Building Safety Board (8 years), among others.
I have always been an active supporter of Muslim advocacy organizations, such as CAIR, and have been a member of the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC) for over 25 years. I have had a special connection to New Horizon Irvine since its inception and had the privilege of serving on its Board of Directors from 2001 to 2004, including as Chair.
My wife and I enrolled our two daughters at New Horizon Elementary School in Irvine—Hana in 2001 and Lara in 2008. Both graduated from NH with a strong moral compass, a solid foundation in Islam/Quran, and proficiency in Arabic. They both went on to the public school system, integrated well, and graduated with honors. Hana attended UCLA, then Cornell Medical College, and is currently a Psychiatry Resident in NY. Lara attended UCLA for her undergraduate degree and is currently enrolled in UCLA Law School.

New Horizon played a crucial role in the upbringing of our daughters and in setting them on the right path. It is an honor to serve on the Board of Trustees and contribute to the school’s continued success.

With a strong background in business, finance, and real estate, Mohammad brings over a decade of leadership experience in risk management, credit analysis, and strategic growth. He has played a key role in driving strategic growth for multiple organizations, leveraging his expertise in financial structuring, asset management, and operational efficiency. His problem-solving skills and solution-focused approach have made him a trusted leader in navigating complex business challenges.
A dedicated member of the New Horizon community since 2012, Mohammad is a proud parent of a school alum, as well as an 8th grader and a 4th grader. His long-standing connection to the school fuels his commitment to its continued success and growth.
As a member of the Facilities Committee, Mohammad played a role in the construction project that completed the second floor of the upper campus. His attention to detail ensures that school facilities are well-maintained and optimized to support a thriving learning environment.
Beyond his professional and board responsibilities, Mohammad enjoys traveling and spending quality time with his family. His dedication to New Horizon’s mission stems from his belief in fostering a strong academic foundation rooted in Islamic values, ensuring students are equipped for future success.

Zahra has over a decade of leadership and business expertise, making her a valuable asset to the NHI board. As a trustee, she fosters educational excellence and growth for students and the community. With 14 years at New Horizon, where her children attended, she has deep insight into its strengths. Her connection to the school is rooted in its Islamic values, emphasizing character development and academic excellence.
As co-owner of Bel-Air Machining, Zahra drove financial growth and workforce development, transforming the company into a leading manufacturer. In 2023, she co-founded Agora Space Technologies as CEO, developing FAA-approved aerospace products and focusing on Advanced Air Mobility.

Zahra holds an MBA in Human Resources and a Six Sigma Black Belt certification, enhancing operational efficiency. She earned degrees in Mathematics Statistics and Business Management, building a strong career foundation. Currently, she pursues a PhD in Aviation Business Administration, focusing on Advanced Air Mobility.

Hoda Hawa is passionate about building bridges and fostering understanding across diverse communities. As the Public Policy and Stakeholder Engagement Lead at Google, she works  to connect with civil rights and multicultural organizations, ensuring that technology and public policy are developed with the needs of BIPOC and vulnerable communities at the forefront. Her work is driven by a genuine desire to create a more equitable and inclusive world.

Prior to her role at Google, Hoda served as VP of Social Impact at Participant Media, where she championed entertainment that inspired positive social change. She also directed the Washington DC Office for the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC), advocating for policies that strengthen American pluralism and improve the lives of American Muslims.

Hoda is a Truman National Security Fellow, Aspen Institute Ideas Scholar and has an M.A. in Ethics, Peace and Global Affairs from American University and a B.A. in Political Science from the George Washington University.
Hoda’s commitment to service extends beyond her professional roles. She is honored to serve as a dedicated Trustee of the Board for New Horizon School. She and her husband, Omar, are proud parents of two current, and one soon-to-be, New Horizon students.

Mr. Hanif is a director at DoubleLine Capital, focusing on trade compliance, trade allocation and counterparty risk. Prior to joining DoubleLine, he spent time at the Trust Company of the West (TCW) and the Pacific Investment Management Company (PIMCO), serving in the investment control division and client servicing. Mr. Hanif has 19 years of investment and financial services experience and holds a B.S. in Finance from California State University, Long Beach and an MBA from Chapman University. As a Board of Trustee of New Horizon since 2023, Mr. Hanif takes part in the finance committee and general governing matters overseeing the school. Mr. Hanif remains steadfast in ensuring that New Horizon maintains a strong long-term footing and conforms to its mission and values. Aside from his professional and social commitments, Mr. Hanif is a loving father of two charming young girls, one of whom is a student at New Horizon, and is supported by his beautiful spouse, Mahvush. In his spare time, Mr. Hanif enjoys spending time with family, traveling and playing tennis.