Dr. Mehrabuddin Hamidi has been appointed as a Shariah Advisor at Shahy Khazana Microfinance, where he will focus on Shariah Financing and Operations. His profound expertise in Islamic Economics and Law will be instrumental in guiding the institution towards compliance with Islamic financial principles.
Dr. Mehrabuddin Hamidi
Dr. Hamidi holds a Ph.D. in Islamic Economy and Law from Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University, Turkey, where he also completed his Master’s degree in the same field. His academic journey also includes an M.A. in Arabic and Social Science from the International Islamic University, Islamabad, Pakistan, and a B.A. from Nangarhar University, Afghanistan. He has further enriched his skill set with a certification as an International Trainer from Manarat Education Consultancy, Dubai, UAE, along with various specialized courses in accounting, auditing, and languages.
His professional experience is extensive and varied. Currently, he is a Professor at Afghan International Islamic University. Previously, he served as a Sharia Advisor at Afghanistan International Bank (AIB), bringing his deep understanding of Islamic finance to practical application. Dr. Hamidi has also held significant roles in management and finance, including as the Owner and Managing Director of the Almashal Group of Companies, which included operations in Dubai, UAE, and Istanbul, Turkey. His earlier roles encompass Managing Director at Hewad Consultancy Group, Admin Finance Officer at Humanitarian Assistance Society, and various administrative and educational positions in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Dr. Hamidi’s multilingual capabilities in Arabic, Pashto, Dari, Urdu, English, and Turkish facilitate his work across diverse cultures and regions. His technical skills include proficiency in various computer applications, notably in financial software and communication tools, which are crucial for modern financial operations.
He has been recognized for his contributions to the field, receiving special training in Sharia auditing, attending professional conferences, and contributing to numerous publications on Islamic finance, economics, and moral rights. His works span from academic theses to practical guides on Sharia supervision in Islamic banking.
Dr. Mehrabuddin Hamidi’s appointment to the Board of Shahy Khazana Microfinance signifies a commitment to ethical, Shariah-compliant financial practices, aiming to benefit the community while adhering to Islamic economic principles.
Financial Advisor
Stephanie Calderas is a well-known and influential financial services expert with over 25 years of experience in various roles, including commercial banking, international development, financial planning, insurance, and tax services. She holds a master’s degree in Agricultural Economics from Michigan State University and a bachelor’s degree in Finance as well as Japanese Language and Business from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. Additionally, she possesses US financial securities licenses to serve as an Investment Advisor Representative, is a licensed insurance agent, and is an Enrolled Agent authorized to practice before the Internal Revenue Service as a tax expert.
As part of her international development work, Stephanie has held various leadership and technical positions with the World Bank, USAID, and other aid agencies in the areas of microfinance, rural and agricultural finance, small and medium enterprise development, and strengthening the policy, legal, and regulatory environment. She has worked in dozens of developing countries and has experience in Afghanistan’s microfinance sector since 2008. In 2009, she led USAID’s Agriculture, Rule, Investment, and Enterprise Strengthening (ARIES) project to help expand financial services in underserved regions of Afghanistan. Since then, she has consulted on many projects and with various entities to further the development of microfinance in Afghanistan, promote women-owned businesses, and strengthen the financial sector.
Stephanie has a lifelong commitment to economic development and poverty alleviation. She intends to apply her deep managerial and technical expertise to help SKM achieve its goal of becoming Afghanistan‘s foremost Sharia-compliant financial institution, contributing to community empowerment and a sustainable, inclusive economy.
Advisor
Katrin Fakiri is a globally recognized development expert with over two decades of leadership and consulting experience in microfinance, SME banking, and governance across the United States, Afghanistan, Africa, and beyond. As the newly appointed Chair of the Board of Directors at Shahy Khazana Microfinance, she brings her extensive expertise in financial inclusion, strategic advisory, and organizational development to advance the institution’s mission of empowering underserved communities through innovative financial solutions
Katrin has held transformative leadership roles throughout her career, including founding Elucidate Services, a board governance strengthening agency, and IDEA Consulting, a firm focused on development finance and women’s empowerment. She also served as Managing Director of MISFA, Afghanistan’s MSME investment facility, and founded PARWAZ MFI, the country’s first microfinance organization dedicated to women’s financial empowerment. Her work with international organizations such as UNDP, World Bank, USAID, and Accion CFI has equipped her with deep insights into governance, risk management, and operational excellence.
Currently an Independent Board Member at Harakat Afghanistan, where she chairs the Risk and Audit Committee, Katrin has also served as an Independent Director at Da Afghanistan Bank, the Central Bank of Afghanistan, contributing to strategic policy and oversight. She holds a Master’s in business administration from Barcelona Executive Business School (2023) and a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from San Jose State University (1996).
With a passion for fostering sustainable growth and client-centric solutions, Katrin is committed to steering Shahy Khazana Microfinance toward greater impact, leveraging her global experience to strengthen governance, enhance operational efficiency, and champion financial inclusion.