In this episode of Pioneers of Possibility, host Kareem Afzal welcomes Nadiah Mohajir, founder and executive director of HEART Women & Girls, also known as Heart to Grow.

Nadiah discusses how her work at the Department of Health and Human Services revealed the deep need for programs that address both public health and faith-based values—especially for Muslim youth navigating conflicting messages about sexuality, consent, and relationships. Nadiah explains HEART’s approach to promoting “the fullness of choice,” a concept rooted in Islamic teachings, emphasizing empowerment through access, education, and community support.

The conversation explores the impact of colonialism on sexual ethics, the diversity of thought in Islamic scholarship, and the organization’s holistic efforts—from education to mutual aid—to support survivors of violence and promote health literacy in Muslim communities across the U.S. and Canada.

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Welcome to the Pioneers of Possibility Podcast, where host Kareem Afzal speaks with leaders transforming their communities, organizations, and themselves for a better world. Our guest today is Norman Vossschulte, Vice President of Fan Experience and Sustainability at the Philadelphia Eagles. Norman shares his journey from biology student in Germany, to actor, to Disney lead, and now at the heart of one of pro-sports’ most forward-thinking sustainability programs.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

* How Norman’s international upbringing (Germany → Africa → Middle East → Spain → USA) shaped his creative and inclusive mindset.

* Why his early work at The Walt Disney Company taught him the royal “keys to excellence” of guest experience and led to his role at the Eagles.

* The story of how the Eagles transformed the stadium experience: retraining staff, embedding culture, and adopting fan-first design.

* How the Eagles’ “Go Green” initiative began, including achieving LEED Platinum certification for an older stadium and installing a hydrogen station on-site.

* The innovation behind offsetting team travel emissions, partnering with the ocean foundation, and why sport is a “megaphone” for sustainability.

* Norman’s two leadership secret sauces: translating sustainability into everyday language, and building partnerships that do real work for people and planet.

Guest Bio:Norman Vossschulte, originally from Berlin, Germany, now serves as Vice President of Fan Experience & Sustainability for the Philadelphia Eagles. He holds a background in biology and theatre arts, spent many years in the hospitality and entertainment industries including Disney, and has led the Eagles’ sustainability and fan-experience initiatives globally. Under his leadership the Eagles achieved LEED certification for their stadium, became one of the first sports teams to integrate ISO 20121 management practices, and invested in carbon offset projects tied to ocean restoration.

Resources & Links:

* Learn more about the Eagles’ Go Green initiative: https://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/community/go-green/

* If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share, and leave a review to help others discover the Pioneers of Possibility Podcast.On Apple Podcasts:

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Episode Overview

In this episode of Pioneers of Possibility, host Karim Afzal sits down with Michael Rashid to explore an extraordinary life shaped by both hardship and hope. From growing up in segregated Birmingham, Alabama - on the infamous “Dynamite Hill” - to leading one of the largest managed care organizations in the country, Rashid’s story bridges the civil rights era with the modern pursuit of health equity.

Together, they discuss how Rashid’s early experiences under apartheid-like conditions inspired a lifelong commitment to community service, leadership, and expanding healthcare access for underserved populations.

Key Topics

* Growing up in 1950s Birmingham amid racial terror and the civil rights movement

* The influence of Rashid’s father and community activism on his worldview

* Personal memories of the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing

* The pivotal role of education — and how a counselor’s doubt redirected his career

* From community health centers to CEO: a journey through healthcare leadership

* Expanding AmeriHealth from 200,000 to 6 million members across 16 states

* Lessons in purpose-driven leadership, mentorship, and legacy

Episode 1: Building a Community Without Hunger with Suzan Neiger Gould

Welcome to the Pioneers of Possibility Podcast, where host Kareem Afzal speaks with leaders transforming their communities, organizations, and themselves for a better world.

Our first guest is Suzan Neiger Gould, Executive Director of Manna on Main Street in Lansdale, PA. Suzan shares her inspiring path from education and camp leadership to nonprofit service, where she has grown Manna into a national model for community collaboration.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

- How Suzan’s upbringing in Levittown shaped her values of equity and service.

- Why her years running a Quaker summer camp prepared her for nonprofit leadership.

- The story behind North Penn Commons, a groundbreaking collaboration among four nonprofits.

- How Manna never closed a single day during the pandemic, tripling meal distribution.

- The ambitious 10-year plan to create “a North Penn where no one is hungry.”

- Suzan’s two leadership “secret sauces”: vision and empathy.

Guest Bio:

Suzan Neiger Gould has served as Executive Director of Manna on Main Street since 2012, guiding the organization through transformative growth in food distribution, job training, and community partnerships. Under her leadership, Manna has expanded services to reach over 160,000 meals annually and launched innovative programs addressing food insecurity in Montgomery County, PA.

Resources & Links:

- Learn more about Manna on Main Street: mannaonmain.org

- Support Manna’s mission: https://mannaonmain.org/donate

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share, and leave a review to help others discover the Pioneers of Possibility Podcast.