American Uzbekistan Association – American Uzbekistan Association

Our mission is to support the American Uzbek diaspora as well as to promote academic, cultural, and professional exchange between the people of the United States of America and Uzbekistan.

News/Events

AUA MISSION

The mission of American Uzbekistan Association (AUA) is to support the Uzbek diaspora living in the United States of America, as well as to promote academic, cultural, and professional exchange between the people of the United States of America and Uzbekistan.

Our Team

Kamilla Zakirova

Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer

Kamilla Zakirova is one of the Co-founders and the Chief Executive Officer of American Uzbekistan Association. Specializing in climate change, food security, and agricultural sustainability, she has worked with a number of international development organizations, including most recently with World Wildlife Fund, United Nations Development Programme, and the World Bank. Kamilla holds a Master’s degree from Georgetown University School of Foreign Service and a Bachelor’s degree from Tashkent University of Information Technologies.

As a mother of two children, Kamilla believes that American Uzbekistan Association should invest more in children and youth of the diaspora, as well as in Uzbekistan.

Mirjahon Turdiev

Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer

Mirjahon Turdiev is one of the Co-founders and the Chief Operating Officer of American Uzbekistan Association. He was born and grew up in Qarshi, Uzbekistan. With over a decade long work experience at United Nations Development Program, U.S. Agency for International Development, Japan International Cooperation Agency, the World Bank, OSCE, and transnational NGOs such as World Vision International, CHF International (currently, Global Communities), IREX, and Eurasia Foundation, Mirjahon’s areas of professional and research expertise include civil society building, community economic development, conflict mitigation, micro-financing, disability-inclusive policy and development, and post-Soviet Union studies.

Mirjahon received his master’s degree in public administration from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs in 2016. Currently, Mirjahon is pursuing Ph.D. in Social Science at Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, Syracuse University.

Mahliyo Hodjihanova

Public Relations Manager

Mahliyo was born in Kokand, Uzbekistan. Growing up in the Soviet era, she loved reading books and watching TV shows about foreign countries. As she discovered her giftedness in the English language and communications, her desire to “make a difference in the world” grew. She holds a Master’s degree in English Linguistics from Fergana State University, Uzbekistan which she used in running a translation agency for several foreign investment projects in Uzbekistan, and an MBA degree from Dallas Baptist University, USA.

Today, Mahliyo is a happy wife and a mother, an enthusiastic personal development coach, and a Public Relations Manager for the American Uzbekistan Association. She is passionate about building bridges between USA and Uzbekistan, specifically inspiring the youth to learn the principles of growth mindset and servant leadership.

Marhabo Rahimova

Fundraising Coordinator

Marhabo Rahimova has a solid background in non-government organizations, serving as an experienced international Program Manager. Having her focus on Central Asian programs, she has coordinated projects that were aimed to enhance Civil Society Organizations effectiveness in various fields including health, youth, and women empowerment by integrating transparency, social inclusion, participatory approaches, and accountability in those sectors.

Marhabo earned her Master’s degree in International Relations from Maxwell School of Public Administration and International Affairs, Syracuse University.

Shohjahon Alibekov

Project Coordinator
American English Development in Uzbekistan

Shohjahon was born and spent his early youth in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. He is a recent high school graduate, pursuing undergraduate business degree from Drexel University. He has
held leadership positions in Cultural Connection Club as a Board Treasury Officer, and a varsity athletics team as a captain in high school.

Shohjahon is passionate about contributing to the Uzbek community both in the United States and back home in Uzbekistan. He is the founder and Coordinator of the American English Development in Uzbekistan, an online English language conversation club for youths in Uzbekistan.