Global Team

  • Khalida Popal is an award-winning Afghan football pioneer and activist, globally recognized for her contributions to women's rights and sports development. As the founder of Girl Power Organisation and the Program and Event Director for the Afghanistan Women's National Team, she has also served as a consultant for sport-for-development initiatives, and she is the member of collation for UNHCR’s Sport Forum. Popal has dedicated her career to advocating for inclusion of women and girls with the main focus on refugee women and minorities, using sports as a tool for empowerment and change. 

    In 2007, Popal co-founded the Afghanistan Women's National Team, a pivotal moment in the country's history. During the Taliban's resurgence, she led the successful evacuation of team players, launching a global campaign that united Afghan women across the diaspora and exile in the fight for recognition of the Afghanistan women’s national team in Exile, and equal rights. Her tireless advocacy continues to challenge patriarchal norms and push for gender equality in the world of sports. 

    Popal’s advocacy work has taken her to some of the world’s largest stages. She has been a keynote speaker at notable events such as the She is Global Forum, the UN Women, United Nations General assembly (UNGA)Angel City Summit, UNESCO, UNHCR. where she has consistently raised the voices of women and fought for their inclusion in sports. 

    In addition to her activism, Popal is the author of “My Beautiful Sisters”, a gripping memoir that chronicles her journey from growing up in Afghanistan, co-founding the national team, to living as a refugee while championing women's rights globally. The memoir is a powerful story of courage, teamwork, and hope in the face of adversity. 

    Her efforts have been recognized with numerous prestigious awards, including the FIFPro Award, the Peace and Sport Special Jury Prize, Leaders in Sport U40 Class of 2019 Award, the UEFA Equal Game Award, The Lantos Human Rights Prize, and several other awards and recognitions honoring her role as a global ambassador for women's empowerment through sports.

  • Sara has specialised knowledge of marketing, PR, and communication in the start-up industry. She currently works as the marketing manager for Lyngby Boldklub and previously has worked for AB Gladsaxe. She holds a master’s degree in Political communication and Management from CBS and has working experience from  a number of start-ups. With her combination of strategic communication, project management and marketing skills she has a good foundation for raising awareness, advocacy work and branding of Girl Power.

  • Emily Bisgaard is a Danish artist, and football enthusiast whose career reflects a blend of social impact, creativity, and leadership. Raised in Hong Kong and originally from Denmark, Emily’s multicultural upbringing has shaped her global outlook. She has spent much of her professional career in Amsterdam and London, where she has dedicated her efforts to empowering women and advancing diversity and inclusion. 

    Emily’s professional journey includes working at Nike’s European Headquarters, where she led various projects across sustainability and DE&I. She led the Lotus Flower Program, the first of it’s kind initiative focusing on integrating refugee women into the labor market by providing them with employment opportunities. In addition, she worked in Nike Football on various projects focusing on the inclusion of women. She also worked on the Nike Footwear Product Creation Team where she led over 100 footwear projects.

    As a football player and former football coach, Emily’s involvement in the sport began at a young age. This early experience nurtured her passion for using sports as a platform for personal development and social change. As the previous Head of Football at Project Fearless in Amsterdam, she led their first Football Program which supported girls from marginalized backgrounds in Amsterdam to build confidence, teamwork, and leadership. 

    Additionally, Emily was the Social Impact Manager at She Matters, a Dutch NGO focused on empowering refugee and migrant women find employment opportunities. Here her expertise was utitlized to create safe spaces for women to grow their skills and personal agency.  

    An artist at heart, Emily also holds a Master’s in Socially Engaged Art, from Artez University of the Arts in the Netherlands where she focused on the use of art and sport for conflict transformation and peacebuilding. Spending time in Belfast, Northern Ireland, she led Play 4 Peace, an initiative that used basketball and public art to bring together communities divided by conflict. 

    Emily Bisgaard’s career is a testament to her commitment to merging creativity, social justice, and leadership, impacting lives both on and off the football field. Her work continues to empower women, youth, and underserved communities across the globe.

  • Marisa Schlenker is a volunteer with the Girl Power Germany and Girl Power global teams. Growing up in the Midwest in the USA, she developed her passion for football and followed her dreams to playing at the professional level after spending 4.5 years as a student athlete at the University of Wisconsin where she majored in political science and Spanish. She has accumulated playing experience in Sweden, Spain, USA and Germany. 

    With a master's in sport for development and conflict resolution from the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC) and a pending masters degree from Konstanz Universität, Marisa has been able to take on many different types of roles in the sport for development sector from program management to monitoring, evaluation and learning to learning and development facilitator.

    In 2018, as the lead researcher of the EU funded Global Goals World Cup Erasmus + project led by EIR Football, she had the privilege to work alongside Khalida, Shabnam M. and Shabnam Ruhin and starting in 2020, she joined the organisation as a volunteer with the Germany chapter to support girl power themed workshops and the delivery of the Leadership Academy in Hamburg.

  • María Ángeles Salazar is based in Barcelona, Spain. As a child she tried a bit of everything, from taekwondo to swimming to gymnastics. But learning languages seemed to be a constant for her. That’s why she started her career as a translator and interpreter. She joined Mongabay, an environmental news non-profit, first as a translator, then as a project manager, and over the course of ten years she’s been expanding her role and has become Content Production Manager. While environmental protection is a cause that resonates with her, she’s also passionate about women and girls’ rights, leadership and education. She’s also a great sports fan and an artist. When she heard about Girl Power, she was excited to find a place that combined all of her passions and to start helping the team. Her main motivation is working for a cause that gives the world hope. Outside of work, María Ángeles likes to practice yoga, go for runs and dance; she always has a sketchbook close and she loves talking about food, books and movies. And, of course, watching football games.

  • Heloise Bargeot is originally from France and grew up in a male-dominated fencing environment. As the only woman of her generation in her sports club, she contributed to making fencing more accessible, especially for women.

    Graduated with a master’s degree in sociology, she developed strong analytical skills to understand social and complex phenomena, as well as a deep interest in different cultures. She believes in the power of human connection and the importance of learning from one another in a diverse world—an issue more relevant than ever. As Gandhi once said: “Our ability to achieve unity in diversity will be the beauty and the test of our civilization.”

    With experience as an athlete, referee, volunteer, and coach, she decided to take her commitment beyond Europe. Now in Cambodia, she is dedicated to supporting youth education and promoting the power of sports in a new cultural context.

  • Malyun Hassan Farah is a passionate International cricket athlete, coach, and advocate for social inclusion. Born in Somalia, she pursued a professional football career in Finland, where she now lives and coaches, inspiring young people to engage in sports and social activities. In addition to her work in football, Malyun is also a dedicated cricket player, representing both her club and national team.

    Committed to empowering refugees and asylum seekers, Malyun uses coaching, mentoring, and public advocacy to promote social inclusion. She joined the Girl Power network in 2023 as a coach and mentor, actively contributing to the Girl Power Leadership Programs and supporting young women in sports and leadership.

    Beyond her work with Girl Power, Malyun is involved in Youth Exchanges in Finland and across Europe, fostering opportunities for young people to connect and grow. As a prominent community leader among the Somali diaspora in Europe and back home, she continues to champion the power of sport as a tool for positive change.

  • A dedicated and passionate expert in the field of communication. Armed with a degree in Communication, Media, and Culture, as well as a PhD in Social Media and Social Responsibility, she has honed her expertise over the years. With over a decade of experience in teaching communication and more than ten years of hands-on experience in the field, Dr. Tsene has become a prominent figure in the industry. Her current roles include being the Head of PR, Art, and Educational Programs at Comicdom Con Athens, the founder of the Athens Comics Library, and the managing co-director of the Digital Comics Museum. She has a proven track record of organising and curating numerous events, exhibitions, conferences, and workshops. She is also collaborating with Impact Hub Athens as a business development consultant and impact measurement expert. 

    Presently, Dr. Tsene serves as a researcher and teaching associate at the esteemed MA Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the Hellenic Open University. She also teaches Applied Communications at the MA Rhetorics, Education and Humanities at the National University of Athens.  Her expertise extends to international conferences where she actively participates, sharing her insights on media, digital media, entrepreneurship, storytelling, and social impact. She is also adept at designing and facilitating workshops utilising design thinking, collaborative storytelling and team-building methodologies. 

    Notably, since 2008, Dr. Tsene has been dedicating her time to crafting and conducting educational workshops employing comics storytelling methodologies. These workshops cater to children, educators, and professionals, leaving a lasting positive impact on their learning experiences.

    The past 4 years she has been active in the field of sports event management and production of sports for social development programs, leading the Girl Power Greece team.

  • Sahar is originally from Afghanistan and has been living in the UK since 2021. She is a full-time student and works part-time as a waitress while also volunteering in charity shops. As a member of the Afghanistan development football team, she is passionate about sports and empowerment.

    For Sahar, Girl Power means stepping out of her comfort zone, meeting new people, and building friendships, which has significantly boosted her self-confidence. Looking ahead, she aims to recruit more individuals to join Girl Power UK and plans to establish a football club that can compete in the England league. She also is currently Girl Power UK’s content creator.

  • Ayisat Endurance Yusuf is a former professional footballer, coach, and passionate advocate for women's football and social inclusion through sports. With a distinguished career spanning over 13 years, she proudly represented Nigeria’s national team, the Super Falcons, in multiple international tournaments, including the FIFA Women’s World Cup, the Olympic Games, and the African Women’s Cup of Nations. With 68 caps for Nigeria and 108 international club appearances, Ayisat made a lasting impact on and off the pitch, playing for top clubs in Nigeria, Finland, and Sweden.

    After retiring from professional football, Ayisat dedicated herself to empowering young female athletes and promoting diversity in sports. She is the founder of the SheFootball Initiative, an organization committed to mentoring and supporting women footballers in Africa. In 2023, she joined Girl Power and has since been leading the initiative in Lagos, Nigeria, coaching, mentoring, and advocating for gender equality in sports. Through this platform, she works to create opportunities for young girls, develop grassroots football programs, and break down barriers preventing women from thriving in the game.

    Ayisat’s influence extends beyond the football field. She has spoken at events organized by UEFA, FIFPRO, and other global organizations, sharing her expertise on women’s football development and the role of sports in driving social change. She has also played a key role in coaching youth teams in Finland, working with FC Viikingit, FC Pohu, IF Gnistan, and GPS United. Her coaching philosophy focuses on nurturing talent, fostering discipline, and creating pathways for young athletes—especially migrant women and girls—to succeed in football and beyond.

    Her dedication to sports and community development has earned her numerous awards, including the Naija Women Football League Special Recognition Award, the FIFPRO Players’ Voice Award, and the Sportswomen Award in Finland. She also serves as Vice President of the Nigeria Women’s Football League, further championing the growth of women's football.

    With an unwavering commitment to empowerment and representation, Ayisat remains a trailblazer in the fight for gender equality in sports. Through her leadership at Girl Power Nigeria, she continues to inspire the next generation of female footballers to dream big, break barriers, and create lasting change.

Denmark Team

  • Sima Kamal is the Project Manager at Girl Power, where she oversees initiatives focused on girls' empowerment and community participation. Originally from Afghanistan, Sima was a runner and mountain climber before fleeing due to the Taliban takeover and seeking asylum in Denmark. Having transitioned from a participant to a project leade.r, she values Girl Power as a platform of strength and hope. Over the next five years, she plans to complete her bachelor’s and master’s degrees while continuing her volunteer work to empower women

  • Habiba Kamal is originally from Afghanistan and currently based in Odense, Denmark. She is lives with her family in Denmark where they are currently seeking asylum. She is a project manager for Girl Power Denmark and worked at Ascend Afghanistan as a fitness, yoga, and outdoor activities leader. She is also deeply passionate about the environment and actively advocates for climate change prevention.

  • Pelin, originally from Turkey and now based in Copenhagen, Denmark, joined Girl Power in 2024, bringing her extensive background in sports science and athlete performance. She served as the Head of Women’s Performance at HB Køge, where she leads programs focused on injury prevention, strength training, and optimizing player performance using advanced data analysis techniques such as GPS monitoring. Pelin is particularly skilled in developing individualized training and recovery plans based on female physiology, including menstrual cycle tracking.

    Additionally, Pelin has worked with several international sports teams from FC Nordsjælland, Yale University, B.93, The Turkish Basketball Federation, as well as other high level football clubs in Turkey. She has also worked at academic institutions, contributing to cutting-edge research on high-performance sports. She is passionate about promoting women's sports and health, combining her scientific expertise with a drive to help athletes reach their full potential. Pelin is committed to empowering the next generation of female athletes through education, mentorship, and science-backed training methods.

  • Fabiana is an experienced football coach and sports scientist with a diverse career spanning various countries, including Spain, Vietnam, the United States, Kuwait, and Denmark. I began as a player in international leagues, including the NCAA and the International APAC Conference. Transitioning to coaching, I spent over five years at RCD Espanyol as Head Coach and Sports Scientist in the youth department, focusing on player development for both men’s and women’s teams.

    My coaching journey continued in Kuwait, where I led initiatives in men’s football, further enhancing my leadership skills. In Denmark, I worked with Akademisk Boldklub Gadsaxe in the professional leagues, contributing to the team’s success. Notably, in 2024, I made history as the first female head coach in Danish men's professional football leagues, serving as interim head coach for AB.

    Passionate about player development, I thrive on the challenges of the sports industry and remain dedicated to making a positive impact in football.

  • Russell is an immigrant from Iran, who left Iran at a young age to finish his higher education in Europe. First in Italy then moved to Denmark.

    Russell was selected for the regional water polo youth team, later on, he changed his career to football and managed to play at a professional level in Iran. 

    The love for water sports encouraged Pakzad to start to learn sailing, Windsurfing, Paddle boarding and advance Diving. 

    “Diving changed my perspective towards life when I learnt diving ever since every weekend I take my gears on and go on a mission to dive to clean the sea from plastic. My lifestyle has also been moving towards becoming more green. I do my best to do my part to safe the planet by being active and taking climate action”. Pakzad. 

    In 2019 Pakzad joined Girl Power, as an event & project manager for the Erasmus European Project. 

    The purpose of joining this organisation for me is to set a good example of diversity & empowerment to others.  

    I want to send a message to everyone that we can not witness an equal world unless we work together. The change can only happen when all genders regardless of colour, race, belief start working together for a better world.

Germany Team

  • Lawyer, Former Footballer & Qualified Traffic Manager

    I am a lawyer with a deep passion for football and empowering young girls through sports. I played for over 10 years with ESV Einigkeit Wilhelmsburg in the Oberliga, one of the highest amateur football leagues, and between 2012 and 2018, I had the honor of representing the Afghan national team.

    Currently, I support the Girl Power organization through the project „Spielmacherinnen", where I coach and mentor young girls aged 11-17, assisting them with both their professional and personal development. Additionally, I have been a qualified Traffic Manager since 2023, having successfully completed my training in this field.

  • Sara is dedicated to addressing various topics and issues through an intersectional perspective. This approach also influences my work as an educational scientist, football player and coach. After playing in the 2nd Bundesliga, she decided to focus on my professional career, integrating the values and experiences she gained from football into my educational work. In this role, she serves as a mentor, supporter and role model for children and young people, especially girls*. Currently, she works in youth development and values education at the FC St. Pauli academy.

  • Mina Ahmadi is an entrepreneur and former player for the Afghan women’s national football team. She started playing football at the age of five and currently competes in Hamburg’s top league. Throughout her career, she has had the opportunity to play for various teams and leagues worldwide, including the second division in the U.S. and teams in the Maldives. She has also coached several youth teams.

    As the CEO of her own consulting firm, Mina applies the values from her football career and knowledge from her sports management studies to demonstrate that with hard work, discipline, and the right processes, any obstacle can be overcome. She is an expert in digital communication and business consulting, regularly providing training and seminars for her clients.

  • Jihan is a dedicated and passionate sports development professional with four years of experience in sport for development, gender equality, and sports governance.

    She holds a Master’s degree in International Sports Development and Politics from the German Sport University Cologne and a Bachelor's in Translation from the University of Duhok, combining expertise in sports policy, communication, and inclusive program development.

    As a consultant for GIZ’s Sport for Development program, Jihan played a key role in developing gender equality training materials, conducting over 15 workshops for coaches and young athletes, and contributing to research and impact studies. Fluent in English, Arabic, and Kurdish, she is also a skilled facilitator, translator, and advocate for youth empowerment.

    Jihan joined the Girl Power network in 2023 and has been actively involved in consulting on programs, leading coaching and mentoring sessions, and supporting various international projects. Her contributions extend to initiatives such as the Special Olympics Berlin 2023, as well as community engagement efforts with UNICEF, YOUTH SPEAK, and Y-Peer.

    Her unwavering commitment to leveraging sports as a tool for social change aligns seamlessly with Girl Power’s mission to create inclusive and empowering spaces for women and girls in sports.

UK Team

  • Narges Mayeli is a passionate individual with strong communication skills, fluent in Farsi and Dari. She served on Afghanistan’s women’s development football team and fled to the UK when the Taliban took over. In the UK, she has volunteered as a Workshop Leader/Project Manager for Girl Power, collaborating with organizations such as Amnesty and UNHCR. She is also involved in football as both a player and coach, pursuing qualifications with the FA. She is currently studying and working at ASOS. Narges is committed to furthering her education, aiming for a degree in the future.

  • Elaha Safdari, originally from Afghanistan, was part of the women’s national football development team and is now based in the UK. She volunteers as the Sports Director at Girl Power, where she organizes football sessions and workshops to empower refugees through sport. With a strong interest in physiotherapy, Elaha is pursuing education in the UK, aiming to work as a physiotherapist in a football club. To her, Girl Power symbolizes strength, resilience, and the empowerment of women and girls.

  • Marshall has a professional background in community service and sports working with charities, football clubs and my local council supporting a range of different people and issues locally and internationally.

    He enjoys giving back to those who need it most using my own personal life experiences as a tool In empowering others.

    He coaches the Afghanistan Women’s Development Football Team as well as supporting the Global team in international campaigns, sessions and programmes.

    In his free time you will find him with his family or in the countryside climbing a mountain.

  • Sonia Azimi has a strong background in football, having been part of the Afghanistan women's football development team, where she contributed to the growth and development of the sport in her home country. After relocating to the UK, she has continued her passion for empowering women through sports by volunteering with Girl Power. In this role, Sonia helps organize football sessions and workshops aimed at building confidence, leadership, and teamwork among women and girls. Her involvement reflects her commitment to using sport as a tool for empowerment, inclusion, and personal growth. Sonia is also focused on developing her own skills and is currently studying English at Doncaster College to further enhance her communication abilities and integration into the UK.

Greece Team

  • Zografenia Kallimani is a highly accomplished Greek-Cypriot legal professional specializing in sports law. She holds a Law degree from the European University Cyprus, where she graduated with a GPA of 3.79, and is currently pursuing her Master's in Sports Law at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Zografenia has also earned certificates in Women’s Football Business from Barça Innovation Hub and Sports Arbitration from FIFA.

    With extensive experience in sports law, Zografenia serves as a legal counsel and member of several sports disciplinary and appeals committees, including the Hellenic Boxing Federation and Hellenic Volleyball Federation. She has been a member of the Athens Bar Association since 2019 and was the legal counsel for AEK F.C., where she handled high-profile legal matters such as player transfers, sponsorship contracts, and brand protection.

    In addition to her legal work, Zografenia has lectured on sports law and labor relations in sports, contributing to academic and professional sports communities. She is also an active member of the International Association of Sports Law and has contributed to numerous legal publications on topics like WADA Code implementation and FIFA ethics.

    With her vast expertise and dedication to sports law, Zografenia continues to make significant contributions to the field, both in Greece and internationally.

  • Sofia, originally from Thessaloniki, Greece, is a dedicated legal professional with a strong background in sports law and integrity issues. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Law (LLB), two Master’s Degrees in International Law and International Sports Law (LLM), and an MSc in Sports Management & Marketing. Since joining Girl Power in 2022, she has brought her extensive expertise in law, anti-doping, and disciplinary matters to support the organization's mission. With a passion for empowering young athletes, Sofia is committed to fostering integrity and equality in sports.

  • Christina, originally from Athens, Greece, is a skilled professional with a degree in Communication, Media, and Culture from Panteion University. She has extensive experience in social media management, marketing, and athlete relations. Currently, she is the Manager of Sport & Athlete Marketing at Digital Minds Sports, where she manages athlete branding, marketing strategies, and social media campaigns. She was also the Social Media Manager of AEK Athens FC. Christina joined Girl Power Academy Greece in 2022, contributing her expertise as a member of the organizing committee and Social Media Manager.