Mehwand Shah
San Diego,CA
Summary
Multilingual Sociology and International Business (Middle East & North Africa specialization) graduate with hands-on experience in community outreach, interpretation, and program coordination for immigrant and refugee populations. Skilled in providing consecutive interpretation and document translation between English, Pashto, Dari/Farsi, and Urdu/Hindi, in educational, legal, and community settings. Experienced in developing and facilitating workshops on cultural integration, mental health awareness, and educational advancement. Adept at bridging communication gaps, promoting cross-cultural understanding, and empowering underserved communities through compassionate support and resource navigation.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Project Manager
Second Families
01.2025 - Current
- Provided consecutive interpretation (Pashto/Dari ↔ English) for over 200 Afghan families, enabling accurate communication during consultations, workshops, and service navigation, resulting in increased program participation and satisfaction.
- Translated 50+ official documents, intake forms, and program materials, improving refugee access to essential services and accelerating integration into local communities.
- Facilitated ESL classes for newly arrived Afghan adults, improving practical English proficiency; 75% of participants demonstrated measurable improvement in communication skills and confidence within 3 months.
- Supported the implementation of Afghan Refugee School Impact (ARSI 2.0) and Afghan Youth Mentoring (AYM) programs, contributing to higher school enrollment and retention rates among Afghan youth.
- Designed and conducted bilingual workshops on U.S. education systems, mental health awareness, and community resources, bridging cultural gaps and empowering families to access critical services.
Manager/Youth Coordinator
San Diego Afghan Connections
01.2022 - 12.2024
- Provided on-the-spot Pashto/Dari ↔ English interpretation for Afghan families in legal, educational, medical, and housing settings, enabling over 300 clients to access critical services with confidence.
- Translated and adapted 100+ official documents, program guides, and intake forms, making information fully accessible to non-English speakers and reducing miscommunication.
- Served as a cultural advisor to educators, healthcare providers, and social service agencies, increasing staff understanding of Afghan cultural norms and improving service effectiveness.
- Guided refugee families through U.S. systems, helping them navigate education, healthcare, and housing programs, which enhanced independence and program participation.
- Organized and led bilingual outreach initiatives, boosting Afghan women and youth engagement in community programs by 40%.
- Partnered with government-funded programs to integrate interpretation services with the Afghan Refugee School Impact (ARSI) program, supporting measurable improvements in school enrollment and retention.
Cultural Outreach & Interpretation Intern
Alliance for African Assistance
01.2021 - 01.2022
- Translated over 75 official documents, program materials, and outreach content for Afghan and African refugee families, improving accessibility and understanding for clients with limited English proficiency.
- Served as a cultural mediator for U.S. caseworkers and service providers, briefing 30+ staff members on Afghan and African cultural norms, which enhanced communication, trust, and client satisfaction.
- Designed and implemented tailored support programs addressing the unique linguistic and cultural needs of refugee families, resulting in higher participation rates and smoother integration into local schools and community services.
Founder & Managing Director
Alhambra Gems
03.2016 - 01.2025
- Established and managed an international import business specializing in semi-precious gemstones and home décor, coordinating operations across three countries and serving 500+ clients annually.
- Acted as a cultural and linguistic bridge between U.S. buyers and Afghan/Pakistani artisans, translating client requirements into clear production guidelines, improving order accuracy by 30%.
- Led multilingual negotiations with global suppliers, ensuring trade compliance and securing favorable pricing and delivery terms, reducing costs by 15% per shipment.
- Analyzed U.S. market trends and customer feedback, providing actionable insights to overseas teams that enhanced product quality and increased repeat business by 25%.
- Oversaw all operational aspects—including logistics, inventory, financial planning, and sales strategies—driving consistent year-over-year revenue growth of 20%.
- Implemented CRM systems to track 500+ client interactions annually, enabling targeted marketing campaigns and improving customer retention rates.
Education
Bachelor's Degree - Sociology
San Diego State University
San Diego, CA08-2025
Bachelor's - International Business (Specializing in Middle East and North Africa)
San Diego State University
San Diego, CA08-2025
Ground Schooling for Private Pilot License (PPL) -
San Diego Miramar College
San Diego01.2022
Associate's Degree - Sociology
Grossmont College
San Diego12.2020
Skills
- Consecutive Interpretation (Pashto, Dari/Farsi ↔ English)
- Document Translation & Transcription (legal, medical, immigration, educational)
- Refugee Integration Support (housing, education, immigration processes)
- Youth Mentoring & Education Guidance (ARSI/AYM programs)
- Program Development & Coordination (community outreach, refugee programs)
- Microsoft Office Suite & Google Workspace (documentation, reporting, data entry)
- Organizational & Strategic Planning (multi-program coordination, cross-agency collaboration)
LANGUAGES
English (Native)
Farsi/Dari (Native)
Pashto (Native)
Urdo/Hindi (Native)
Arabic (Proficient)
Interests
Enjoys Dostoevsky, and the mystical poetry of Rumi, along with mountain biking and long-distance running
Timeline
Project Manager
Second Families
01.2025 - Current
Manager/Youth Coordinator
San Diego Afghan Connections
01.2022 - 12.2024
Cultural Outreach & Interpretation Intern
Alliance for African Assistance
01.2021 - 01.2022
Founder & Managing Director
Alhambra Gems
03.2016 - 01.2025
Bachelor's Degree - Sociology
San Diego State University
Bachelor's - International Business (Specializing in Middle East and North Africa)
San Diego State University
Ground Schooling for Private Pilot License (PPL) -
San Diego Miramar College
Associate's Degree - Sociology
Grossmont College
Training
- Software Development Engineering in Test
- Tek School
- Jan 2024 - Jan 2025
Hobbies and Interests
Enjoys Dostoevsky, and the mystical poetry of Rumi, along with mountain biking and long-distance running
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