Dr. Anita Afzali Joins Ascend’s Board of Directors

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Marina LeGree | marina@ascendathletics.org | 202-403-9901

An Afghan-American doctor and global health expert, 

Afzali will focus on driving the organization’s mission forward through 

fundraising, strategic planning, and program development.

(Fairfax, VA) December, 15, 2025—Ascend, the nonprofit organization supporting women and girls throughout Afghanistan and Pakistan, has named Dr. Anita Afzali, MD, MPH, MHCM, to its Board of Directors, effective January 1, 2026. Dr. Afzali, the James F. Heady Endowed Chair and Interim Chair of the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of Cincinnati, is the first Afghan-American refugee to serve on Ascend’s board.

“We are proud and grateful to welcome Dr. Afzali to our Board of Directors,” said Marina LeGree, Ascend’s Founder and Executive Director. “Her journey from refugee to global healthcare leader embodies the resilience and possibility Ascend aims to cultivate, while her lived experience will be a valuable asset for addressing the needs of the girls and young women we serve.”

A physician-executive leader known for driving innovation, healthcare redesign, and improved access to care, Dr. Afzali is a board-certified gastroenterologist. She completed her medical education and advanced fellowship training at the University of Washington, where she also earned her Master of Public Health. Dr. Afzali later received a Master of Health Care Management from Harvard University and completed the Executive Leadership in Healthcare (ELH)/ELAM Fellowship at Drexel University, reflecting her dedication to leadership excellence and institutional advancement. 

Dr. Afzali currently serves as Chair of the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) Educational Affairs Committee and Chair of the World Gastroenterology Organisation (WGO) Media & Community Engagement Committee. In January 2026, she will assume the role of Secretary General of the WGO, one of the most significant global leadership positions in the field.

“I am incredibly honored to join Ascend’s Board of Directors,” said Dr. Afzali. “As a former Afghan refugee, I feel uniquely positioned to serve this organization, whose mission is so closely aligned with my personal story and professional purpose.”

Dr. Afzali’s experience as an Afghan-American profoundly shapes her commitment to advocacy for women and girls. Her family fled Afghanistan when she was an infant, surviving poverty, displacement, and the challenges of resettling in a new country. These early experiences instilled in her a deep belief in the power of education, opportunity, representation, and collective investment, particularly for girls and women facing adversity. With extended family still living in Afghanistan, Dr. Afzali’s commitment to global advocacy for Afghan women remains deeply personal.

“For 10 years, Ascend has shown that change can happen when people put passion behind purpose,” she said. “I’m excited to be part of the next phase of this work, supporting women and girls who need it the most.”

As Co-Founder of the Scrubs & Heels Foundation, Dr. Afzali champions leadership development and mentorship for women in medicine, fostering confidence, authenticity, and purpose in the next generation of leaders. Her passion for elevating others mirrors Ascend’s commitment to empowering young women through strength, opportunity, and community. As a member of the Ascend Board of Directors, Dr. Afzali will focus on pushing the organization’s mission forward, through fundraising, program development, and strategic leadership. 

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ABOUT ASCEND

Ascend is creating a more peaceful and prosperous world by empowering women and girls. Through transformative programming centered on physical and mental health, community engagement, environmental stewardship, and entrepreneurship, we develop leaders who are confident, courageous, and resilient, resulting in greater gender equality across the globe. To learn more about Ascend, visit www.ascendathletics.org.

Press Contact:

Marina LeGree

Founder and Executive Director, Ascend Leadership Through Athletics

marina@ascendathletics.org