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

As a mother of three, Kamilla is deeply committed to investing in the children and youth of the Uzbek diaspora, as well as in communities across Uzbekistan.

Mirjahon Turdiev

Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer

Mirjahon Turdiev is the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of the American Uzbekistan Association (AUA). Born and raised in Qarshi, Uzbekistan, he brings over a decade of experience with organizations such as the United Nations Development Programme, U.S. Agency for International Development, Japan International Cooperation Agency, the World Bank, OSCE, and transnational NGOs including World Vision International, Global Communities (formerly CHF International), IREX, and Eurasia Foundation.

Mirjahon is the visionary behind the Rishta Fellowship Program and passionately manages it, guiding U.S. fellows in their work across Uzbekistan. His professional and research expertise spans civil society development, community economic growth, conflict mitigation, microfinance, disability-inclusive policy, and post-Soviet studies.

He earned his Master’s degree in Public Administration from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs in 2016 and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Social Science at the Maxwell School, Syracuse University.

Marhabo Rahimova

Fundraising Coordinator

Marhabo Rahimova brings extensive experience in international program management, with a focus on Central Asian initiatives. She has coordinated projects aimed at strengthening civil society organizations in sectors including health, youth, and women’s empowerment, integrating principles of transparency, social inclusion, participatory approaches, and accountability.

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

Shohjahon Alibekov

Project Coordinator
American English Development in Uzbekistan

Shohjahon was born and raised in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. A recent high school graduate, he is pursuing an undergraduate degree in Business at Drexel University. Shohjahon has held leadership roles in the Cultural Connection Club as Board Treasury Officer and served as captain of his high school varsity athletics team.

Passionate about serving the Uzbek community in both the United States and Uzbekistan, Shohjahon founded and coordinates American English Development in Uzbekistan, an online English conversation club for youth in Uzbekistan.