Team

Robina Niaz worked with various mainstream non-profit organizations for over 12 years before founding Turning Point for Women and Families in 2004, the first non-profit in New York City to address domestic violence in the Muslim community. She has served on numerous boards including Sakhi, Queens Women’s Network, Coalition for Battered Women’s Network, the Muslim Consultative Network, Hartley Film Foundation, and the International Human Rights Art Festival. She is currently a member of the Social Work Advisory Council at Medgar Evers College. A social worker, an activist and a fierce advocate of Muslim women’s rights, Robina has spoken extensively against domestic violence locally, nationally, and internationally, and has received numerous honors and awards. She has also been quoted in and appeared on several media outlets including CNN, NY1, Geo TV, Aaj TV, Al-Hurra TV. In 2009, Robina was named a CNN Hero and was featured as one of the 500 Most Influential Muslims (2009) by the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Center/Georgetown University. Robina was also named Queens Person of the Week by NY1 (March 2010) and was honored by the Mayor Bloomberg along with 30 others in honor of the Women’s History Month (2011). Robina has also received awards from FEBA (Federation of Balkan American Associations), Chhaya CDC, State Senator Eric Adams, Women’s eNews, Bank of America, Queens Council for Social Welfare, NASW-NY, NEMWA(North East Muslim Women’s Association), Women In Islam, Union Square Awards, Open Society Institute, the Queens Borough President, the Queens General Hospital, the International Association for Social Work with Groups (IASWG), and Women2Women Forum (2019). Born and raised in Pakistan, Robina has an M.S in Applied Psychology (Pakistan) and an MSW from Hunter College, NYC, is a 2007 CORO Immigrant Leadership Fellow and a 2005 Open Society Institute/RCLA Social Justice Fellow. In 2017, Robina was named one of 21 “Movement Makers” by the NoVo Foundation. She currently serves as a Commissioner on NYC’s Commission on Gender Equity. Robina speaks four South Asian languages.

Sumayya Chaudhry joined Turning Point for Women and Families as a Seniors Advocate in April 2022. She is a junior at Hunter College, currently majoring in clinical psychology. She plans to get her master’s degree in social work. As a psychology major, she aspires to work with people who are in need of help and guide them through tough times. Her goal is to make a safer and more comfortable environment for vulnerable women going through a hard time. She is fluent in Urdu.

Farah Rahman joined Turning Point for Women and Families in June 2023. She is a dedicated and compassionate social worker and obtained her bachelors in Sociology and Psychology from Queens College, NY. Driven by a deep desire to make a tangible difference in the lives of others, Farah pursued her Masters in Social Work from Adelphi University, graduating in 2022. Her advanced education equipped her with a comprehensive understanding of social work theories, interventions, and ethical practices. With a strong passion for helping others and creating positive change, she has gained valuable experience working with diverse populations and organizations.

Farah has collaborated with nonprofit organizations, hospitals, and other agencies to support and advocate for individuals, families, children, adolescents, adults, and older adults, ensuring their access to vital resources, empowering them to overcome obstacles, and enhancing their overall well-being. Recognizing the importance of cultural competence and the impact of intersectionality, Farah strives to create inclusive and empowering environments for her clients. With her unwavering dedication, education, and experience, Farah is eager to positively impact the lives of individuals and communities she serves. Farah speaks English, and Urdu, and is currently learning Bangla.

Susan Kingsland, LMSW is a licensed social worker, advocate, and activist, who is experienced in both nonprofit management and community-based clinical practice; she is committed to social and economic justice. Her expertise is transforming research into practice, developing and executing strategic plans, and
identifying and building key relationships with relevant stakeholders. Susan’s diverse experiences combined with graduate education in social work enable her to continuously facilitate progressive change. Prior to joining Turning Point for Women and Families as a Social Services Supervisor, Susan worked with
unaccompanied immigrant children and adolescents at The Legal Aid Society in New York City, addressing trauma and mental health, advocating for education and health services while supporting clients fighting deportation. Throughout her career, Susan has worked at several nonprofit organizations addressing
homelessness and affordable housing in immigrant communities, as well as chronic mental illness and poverty.

Susan received her Master’s in social work from Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY), and she is licensed in New York State.

Aiden Zafar joined Turning Point for Women & Families as a Youth Leader in June 2023. They were first introduced to TPNY as a high-schooler and, inspired by the work of educators and counselors, went on to work as a caretaker and after-school educator. Their roles in community with other New Yorkers often suspect to violence and marginalization has inspired them to cultivate spaces where young people can speak freely about issues that concern them, their safety, and their future.

Nabila Miah joined Turning Point for Women and Families as a Youth Leader in January 2023. Prior to joining staff, since May 2018, Nabila was an active youth member and served as a Summer Youth Intern for two consecutive years. She is a freshman at The City College of New York, currently majoring in Electronic Design and Multimedia. As a former youth member and now a Youth Leader, Nabila’s goal is to strengthen the Youth Program which has provided a safe and inclusive space for Muslim girls and young women for many years and cultivate a post-Covid community of like-minded and actively engaged youth and young adults who can learn from their peers and grow together. Nabila is a first generation American, born to immigrant parents from Bangladesh and speaks Bangla.