Masooda Yusufzai

Executive Assistant

I serve in an Administrative and Facilities Support role at CERI, where I help ensure the smooth and efficient day-to-day operations of the office. My position involves a combination of administrative assistance, facility oversight, and direct support to the Senior Leadership team.

I hold a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a specialization in Finance.

How It Started: 

Before joining CERI, I worked in nonprofit and international development roles, including Program Manager at the Center for Survivors of Torture and Case Manager at Refugee Services of Texas. My background includes financial coordination, administrative support, and client services, with experience managing budgets, audits, and leadership communications. These roles prepared me to support CERI’s daily operations with efficiency, attention to detail, and a strong commitment to service.

Why CERI? 

I chose to work for CERI because its mission aligns closely with my passion for serving vulnerable communities, particularly refugees and displaced individuals. With a background in nonprofit and humanitarian work, I was drawn to CERI’s global impact and its focus on holistic, child-centered care. I saw an opportunity to contribute my skills in Finance, administration, and program support to an organization that creates lasting, meaningful change in people’s lives.

What gives you inspiration in life? 

Spending time in nature inspires me. Being outdoors, especially near calm water, helps me feel peaceful, clear-minded, and recharged.

What Protecting Childhood Means: 

Protecting childhood for me means shielding children from the harsh realities of conflict, poverty, and limited access to education. It means fighting to ensure they have safety, basic needs, and the chance to learn and play despite the challenges around them. Protecting childhood is about giving children hope for a better future, where their rights are respected and their dreams can grow beyond the difficulties they face today.

Favorite Childhood Memory:  

One of my most cherished childhood memories is the time I helped my little brother get ready for school and walked him there every morning. I was only 8 years old, and he was just 5, but those moments meant so much. Our mom had to live in another city for work, so all of us siblings stepped up to take care of each other. Helping him wasn’t just a responsibility; it was a way I could show my love and protect him, even at such a young age. Those simple mornings together are something I hold close to my heart.