Author Dr. Nadia Hashimi is a pediatrician turned novelist who draws on her Afghan culture to craft internationally bestselling books for adults as well as young readers. Her novels span generations and continents, taking on themes like forced migration, conflict, poverty, misogyny, colonialism, and addiction. She enjoys conversations with readers of all ages in libraries, book festivals, classrooms, and living rooms. Video calls with book clubs are a favorite hobby. With translations in seventeen languages, she’s connected with readers around the world. She continues to serve on boards of organizations committed to educating and nurturing Afghanistan’s most vulnerable children and empowering the female leaders of tomorrow. She is a member of the US-Afghan Women’s Council and the Afghan-American Foundation.

Moderator Dr. Hosal Todd Hesham is a full time practising ear, nose, and throat surgeon in Maryland and also serves as the Executive Director of non-profit organization, Afghan Medical Professionals Association of America.  Her educational background consists of a Bachelor’s Degree from College of the Holy Cross in Massachusetts, Medical Degree from Albany Medical College, and Surgical and ENT residency training from Georgetown University.  She was born in Afghanistan and became a refugee at the age of 9, arriving in the United States with her immediate family at the age of 12 in 1989.  Living in this region has allowed her to balance her medical profession with her volunteer work. She takes full advantage of the diversity of the region and the rich representation of South Asian culture through art, poetry, music, and dance.  She especially loves her Bollywood Zumba classes by the Raat Rani Collective.