Our Porfolio
UN Women – Skills Training for Women with Disabilities
UNDP – International Exposure & Global Development Learning (Egypt)
Maria Taqdees also gained international exposure through her experience with UNDP (United Nations Development Programme) in Egypt. During this visit, she engaged with global development environments and learned directly from international models of community empowerment, sustainability, and leadership.
Her UNDP experience strengthened her understanding of how global institutions support local change—deepening her vision for long-term social impact work in Pakistan and beyond.
Training, Certifications & Professional Development
Maria Taqdees brings a rare combination of community leadership, coaching, and evidence-based psychological training to her work. Her learning journey has been deeply rooted in helping individuals heal, grow, and build emotionally strong lives—especially women, youth, and families.
Maria holds formal training in Counselling and Psychotherapy from the UK, and she has completed internationally recognized certifications in leadership coaching, communication, and therapeutic tools including NLP and hypnosis.
Her professional development includes:
- CPCAB (UK) – Level 3 Certificate in Counselling (Therapy Works)
- American Board of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (ABNLP) – Certified training in:
NLP, Leadership Skills, Time Line Therapy®, Power Communication, Hypnotherapy, and Coaching - Ongoing work and learning in Child Psychology & Emotional Development, with international exposure and applied community work.
Maria’s approach is a balance of empathy, psychology, and practical life tools, helping clients not only heal—but rebuild with confidence and purpose.
U.S. Leadership Delegation – Washington, D.C. Advocacy & Cultural Exchange (2022)
In 2022, Maria Taqdees was selected among 1,500 candidates for a prestigious leadership opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C., where she represented her work in social impact, community development, and cross-cultural leadership.
During this delegation, Maria presented her achievements and advocacy message in meetings with U.S. government offices and elected leaders, including engagement with senators and representatives from multiple U.S. states. Her advocacy focused on the importance of cultural exchange programs, peacebuilding, and community-based social action projects that create lasting impact at the grassroots level.
As part of the program—supported by the American Councils for International Education—Maria was invited to key civic institutions, including the U.S. Capitol, Congressional buildings, and the U.S. Supreme Court, gaining direct exposure to leadership, diplomacy, and civic engagement at the national level.
In addition to her advocacy work, Maria also trained and mentored 250 exchange students on the value of community service, leadership responsibility, and the power of personal story as a tool for inspiring social change.
This experience strengthened Maria’s role as a global advocate—bridging local community work with international dialogue on peace, leadership, and civic empowerment.
USAID- Funded Youth Festival – Event Management Training & Mentorship
U.S. Department of State Scholarship – Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange & Study (YES) Program (2004–2005)
In 2004, Maria Taqdees was selected on a prestigious scholarship through the U.S. Department of State’s Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange & Study (YES) Program, representing Pakistan as a youth peace ambassador.
As part of this program, Maria traveled to the United States and participated in leadership development, cultural exchange, and civic engagement initiatives designed to strengthen mutual understanding and global peace.
One of the most defining milestones of Maria’s YES journey was her visit to the White House, where she attended a special event honoring YES students. During this historic gathering, President George W. Bush publicly recognized Maria by name and read an excerpt from her written essay in his speech—highlighting her message about unity, belonging, and the values of cross-cultural understanding.
This moment became a powerful symbol of Maria’s early leadership and her lifelong commitment to advocacy, education, and community empowerment.
USAID Partnership – Azme Naujawan (Youth Leadership & Social Action Program)
One of Maria Taqdees’ most impactful development initiatives was her work with USAID’s Azme Naujawan Program, where she served as a key trainer and mentorship leader focused on youth empowerment, leadership development, and entrepreneurship.
Through this project, Maria trained hundreds of young participants in personal and professional development, guiding them in building confidence, communication skills, teamwork, leadership mindset, and career readiness. She also supported youth in designing and implementing social action projects and fundraising initiatives, helping them transform ideas into real community impact.
A unique strength of Maria’s approach within Azme Naujawan was her use of visual and expressive arts as a tool for transformation—including creative and virtual art methods that encouraged youth to express identity, explore purpose, and build emotional resilience while developing practical leadership skills.
In addition to direct youth training, Maria also played a major role in Training of Trainers (ToT), preparing future facilitators to deliver high-quality sessions in personal growth, entrepreneurship, and community leadership.
This work reflects Maria’s ability to combine grassroots engagement, structured capacity-building, and creative empowerment methods—supporting youth to become confident leaders and change-makers in their communities.
Baldia Literary Society Recognition – “Shan-e-Baldia” Award
FEMSOLAR Recognition Award – Women Empowerment in Solar Energy (2023)
In July 2023, Maria Taqdees was honored with an official recognition award by FEMSOLAR for her services in empowering women through skills development in the solar energy sector.
This award was presented in appreciation of Maria’s commitment to creating opportunities for women to gain access to technical training, sustainable livelihood skills, and economic independence through clean-energy education and community-based programs.
Presented at Hunar Ghar, Baldia, the recognition reflects Maria’s continued dedication to building pathways for women in non-traditional fields—supporting their growth, confidence, and long-term financial stability.
UNICEF Partnership – The Red Code (International Mentorship & Capacity Building)
Maria Taqdees served as a mentor, project coordinator, and implementing partner with UNICEF Pakistan through The Red Code initiative—an innovative youth-led project focused on women’s empowerment and menstrual health education for low-income communities in Karachi.
As part of this work, Maria supported the development and implementation of the project by guiding the team in community engagement, leadership building, and sustainable program delivery. Her role combined mentorship with on-ground coordination, ensuring the initiative remained impactful, culturally sensitive, and scalable.
In 2020, Maria was selected to represent Pakistan as part of an international capacity-building experience in Cairo, Egypt, where she joined winning teams and partners from multiple countries. The program focused on strengthening skills in entrepreneurship, fundraising, practical implementation, and long-term sustainability—preparing participants to grow their projects into lasting social impact models.
This partnership reflects Maria’s ability to work at both grassroots and international levels, bridging community needs with global development frameworks.
International Scholarship – Law & Leadership Program (Washington, D.C., 2019)
In 2019, Maria Taqdees was awarded a competitive scholarship to travel to Washington, D.C., to participate in an international program focused on Law, Leadership, and Peacebuilding.
As part of this experience, Maria worked closely with peace ambassadors and emerging leaders from 15 countries, engaging in cross-cultural collaboration and global dialogue around justice, civic responsibility, and community leadership.
During the program, she had the opportunity to engage with lawmakers and policy professionals, and participated in educational visits including the U.S. Supreme Court, gaining deeper insight into legal systems, human rights frameworks, and leadership in democratic institutions.
Maria also received training under the guidance of distinguished scholars and facilitators connected with Harvard University and the University for Peace, strengthening her foundation in leadership development, conflict resolution, and global advocacy.
This experience remains a defining milestone in Maria’s journey as a social activist and empowerment leader—shaping the international perspective she brings into her work today.
Media Features & Public Speaking
Maria Taqdees has been featured across multiple media platforms and public forums as a guest of honor, speaker, and panelist, recognized for her work in entrepreneurship development, women empowerment, social activism, mental health awareness, and life coaching.
Over the years, Maria has represented her mission on national television, community events, student festivals, and international social platforms—using her voice to advocate for education, economic independence, emotional wellbeing, and leadership development, especially for women and youth.
Her speaking engagements include moderating and participating in panel discussions on topics such as peacebuilding, community connection, entrepreneurship, and mental resilience, along with hosting awareness sessions during crisis periods such as the COVID-19 lockdown, where she spoke about mindfulness tools and emotional survival.
Maria’s presence in media and public dialogue reflects her belief that real change happens when communities are informed, inspired, and equipped with practical tools to rise.
Wall of Expression (Social Awareness Campaign)
Wall of Expression was a social awareness campaign led by Maria Taqdees, created to promote the fundamental belief that every individual has the right to express themselves freely—without fear of discrimination, judgment, or social labeling.
Through this initiative, participants were invited to share their thoughts, emotions, and personal truths in a safe and respectful environment. The campaign encouraged open dialogue around identity, social pressure, mental wellbeing, and the everyday realities people often feel forced to hide.
Wall of Expression became more than an activity—it became a movement of courage, empathy, and community healing, reminding people that expression is not a privilege, but a human right.
Women Empowerment Award
Maria is Receiving the Women Empowerment Award through the U.S. Embassy’s recognition was one of the most meaningful moments of her journey.
For the last 15 years, she has stood for women’s rights, education, dignity, and the belief that every woman deserves the chance to rise—no matter where she comes from.
This award represents the stories of 800 women she has trained and mentored—women who went on to lead, grow, and launch startups, proving that empowerment is not just a word… it’s a movement.
Maria accept this honor with gratitude, and with an even stronger commitment to continue this mission.
Say No to Plastic Campaign
Say No to Plastic was one of the major environmental awareness campaigns led by Maria Taqdees, created to educate communities about plastic pollution while offering a practical, sustainable alternative.
The campaign was designed as a multi-phase initiative that combined environmental education with women’s empowerment through skill-building and income generation.
Campaign Phases
Phase 1: Community Collection Drive
Maria and her team organized a collection drive to gather old denim jeans from the community, turning waste fabric into a valuable resource.
Phase 2: Public Awareness & Education
The second phase focused on educating people about plastic pollution—its impact on health, wildlife, and the environment—and teaching simple ways to reduce plastic use in everyday life.
Phase 3: Distribution of Reusable Fabric Bags
Using recycled denim, the team created reusable fabric bags and distributed them as part of the campaign, encouraging people to replace plastic bags with sustainable alternatives.
Phase 4: Social Enterprise & Brand Collaboration
The final phase transformed the project into a small women-led social enterprise. Maria trained a group of women to produce high-quality denim bags, including custom embroidery with brand initials and logos. This created a sustainable income stream and opened doors to larger partnerships.
Impact & Recognition
The campaign grew into a recognized community initiative and led to collaborations with notable organizations and platforms such as:
- I AM KARACHI
- Azm-e-Naujawan
- USAID
- UNICEF
Through this project, Maria successfully combined environmental action with economic empowerment—proving that community-driven solutions can create both social and environmental change.
