Mehwand Shah
San Diego,US
Summary
Project Coordinator / Operations Specialist experienced in managing 130+ cases and driving cross-functional coordination to deliver efficient, high-impact services. Skilled in process improvement, stakeholder management, and community program delivery, with a strong background supporting refugee populations. Multilingual in Pashto, Dari, Urdu, and English, with additional exposure to data systems, QA automation concepts, and AI tools.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Case Specialist (Operations & Program Coordination
Catholic Charities Diocese of San Diego
San Diego, California
10.2025 - Current
- Manage a portfolio of 130+ concurrent client cases, coordinating housing, financial assistance, and support services
- Serve as primary liaison between clients and internal teams, ensuring timely communication and resolution of complex issues
- Drive cross-functional coordination across intake, finance, and housing departments
- Utilize Excel, Odoo, and 3CMS to track case progress, maintain compliance documentation, and generate reports
- Improve operational efficiency by streamlining workflows and follow-up processes
- Deliver multilingual support (Pashto, Dari, Urdu, English), enhancing accessibility
Operations Coordinator (Family Programs)
Second Families
San Diego, California
01.2025 - 10.2025
- Directed day-to-day operations for programs supporting immigrant and refugee families under the ARSI/AYM 2.0 state program, assisting Afghan families and youth with integration and support services
- Oversaw 20+ active cases monthly, ensuring timely and effective service delivery
- Established partnerships with 10+ community organizations, expanding referral pipelines and program reach
- Enhanced operational workflows, reducing administrative turnaround time by 25%
- Represented the organization in inter-agency and community meetings, strengthening program collaboration
Founder & Operations Manager
Alhambra Gems
San Diego, California
01.2016 - 01.2025
- Founded and operated an international e-commerce and wholesale gemstone business, sourcing products directly from suppliers in Afghanistan and Pakistan
- Managed end-to-end operations including global sourcing, pricing strategy, inventory management, and customer acquisition
- Sold products through major U.S. trade shows (Tucson, Denver, Quartzsite) and online platforms
- Coordinated vendor relationships and supply chain logistics to ensure consistent product availability and quality
- Executed marketing strategies to increase brand visibility and customer engagement
- Monitored financial performance, inventory, and operations to maintain profitability
Community Program Coordinator (Youth Focus)
San Diego Afghan Connections
San Diego, California
04.2022 - 12.2024
- Led youth-focused initiatives under ARSI/AYM 1.0 program, facilitating Afghan refugee integration
- Mentored 30+ Afghan youth, assisting 10+ in enrollment at Grossmont College and navigating financial aid process
- Served as liaison for families, connecting them to housing, education, and essential resources
Program Support Specialist
Alliance For African Assistance
01.2021 - 12.2021
- Facilitated educational workshops on mental health, domestic violence prevention, and cultural integration, enhancing knowledge and resources for refugee populations
- Implemented targeted support initiatives to address key challenges faced by refugee families, fostering improved community integration outcomes
- Interpreted and translated (Dari/Pashto ↔ English) to ensure effective communication and access to services for refugee clients
Education
Bachelor of Science - International Business (Middle East/North Africa)
San Diego State University
San Diego, CA08-2025
Bachelor of Science - Sociology (With Distinction)
San Diego State University
San Diego, CA08-2025
Skills
- Tools & Systems:
Confluence Microsoft Excel Odoo 3CMS - Core Competencies:
Project Coordination Operations Management Stakeholder Management Process Improvement Data Tracking & Reporting Cross-functional Collaboration Program Implementation - Technical Exposure (QA & Automation):
Basic knowledge of Java and Python API testing (Postman, SOAP) BDD/TDD concepts Git/GitHub - Data analysis
- AI & Productivity Tools:
Familiarity with AI tools for workflow automation and productivity optimization - Specialized Strengths:
Refugee & Community Program Support Youth & Family Services Coordination Multilingual Communication (Pashto, Dari, Urdu, English) Cultural Competency
Accomplishments
Completed Atlassian Confluence A-Z: Confluence for Beginners
Languages
- Dari (Native)
- English (Fluent)
- Arabic (Intermediate)
- Urdu (Native)
- Pashto (Native
Timeline
Case Specialist (Operations & Program Coordination
Catholic Charities Diocese of San Diego
10.2025 - Current
Operations Coordinator (Family Programs)
Second Families
01.2025 - 10.2025
Community Program Coordinator (Youth Focus)
San Diego Afghan Connections
04.2022 - 12.2024
Program Support Specialist
Alliance For African Assistance
01.2021 - 12.2021
Founder & Operations Manager
Alhambra Gems
01.2016 - 01.2025
Bachelor of Science - International Business (Middle East/North Africa)
San Diego State University
Bachelor of Science - Sociology (With Distinction)
San Diego State University