MEET ASIF

Photograph by Neda Ahmad.

I am a child of immigrants.  My dad came over to the United States from Hyderabad, India in 1959.  He studied and worked here for a few years before going back in 1967 to get married.  I was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1969.  

I was raised by my parents as well by an extended family of paternal grandparents and my maternal uncle.  My paternal grandmother was very focused on our education, especially Islamic religious education outside of our normal school work.  This eventually created a resentment from me towards her, Allah(God) and Islam in general.

My parents were the typical immigrant parents.  Dad holding the anger in the family as well as the discipline.  Mom holding the fear of the family as well as the messaging that a good life meant finishing high school, going to college, getting a good job and then getting married and having kids.

After getting divorced, my focus became raising my daughter.  When my daughter was heading off to college, I began to wonder what was next for me.  It was then that I started doing social/emotional Intelligence work back in late 2013.  Among other things, I worked on healing all the anger I had with women, as well as Allah. I don't say this lightly, and I know this might be a charged topic.  With women, it had more to do with a lot of hurt that had built up over the years.  And a lot of pain.  As I started to heal that part of me, the anger started to dissipate.   This is not an easy thing to say, especially around Allah as being angry with Allah is very much taboo.  However, for me it was necessary to express that anger, and get it out.  The way I thought about it was if its in my heart, Allah already knows about it.  As I started to express this, I found that I longed for a deep connection with Allah, and I felt that He had abandoned me.

It was in 2017 that I got my Master’s degree in Transformational Leadership and Coaching and started my coaching practice.

If any of this resonates with you, click below:

CREDENTIALS

Masters Degree in Transformational Leadership and Coaching

Chair, Muslim Community Center (MCC) Interfaith Committee.

Co-chair, MCC Counseling Committee

Board member, Muslim Writers Collective, Chicago, 2020-Present

Secured main speakers for 2016 Sears National HR Conference and led breakout sessions.

Speaker, AMHP 2017 National Interfaith Anti-Bullying Summit, George Washington University, Washington, D.C.

Leadership Member, Wright Fundraising team, 2017

Member, Wright Men’s Leadership Collective, 2021-Present

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council Lead, 2022-2023, TRUE VALUE, Chicago, Illinois

Follow my journey!

  • "Working with Asif over the course of the year has helped me realize my abilities and has given me the confidence needed to pursue new opportunities. I truly value our sessions and look forward to continuing to work with him."

    D.J.

  • "Asif was able to help me to realize that I am alive. Helped to discover who I am and what I want to do with my life. To live my life as if every moment matters."

    A.S.

  • "Asif offered another perspective and different approach from the others in my support network. He encouraged me to take action in one way or another, which directly led to success in what I was seeking. He also really let me own the sessions, despite whatever discomfort he may have experienced."

    N.A.

  • "Asif started me on the path to growth by asking the tough questions that had answers I was previously unwilling to answer myself."

    S.M.

LET’s CONNECT

Submit an inquiry and I’ll get in touch with you promptly or feel free to schedule a call directly on my calendar here.