Yasameen Aboozar
Yasameen Aboozar is a dynamic leader, certified Project Management Professional (PMP), and Realtor® serving the Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington DC–Baltimore area. She is affiliated with Samson Properties as a realtor. With decades of experience in public service, banking, academia and nonprofit sectors, she has built a career centered on program management, community engagement, and mentorship. Yasameen’s professional journey includes key roles at the grassroot level, where she has led diverse teams, managed complex projects, and driven initiatives to deliver measurable outcomes. As the President and Founder of Spreading Happiness to Empower (SHE), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in Maryland, Yasameen champions literacy and generational empowerment for new American families across multiple states. Under her leadership, SHE bridges cultural gaps, provides educational support for children and adults - currently in Dari and English languages- and fosters community development. Her nonprofit work is informed by a deep commitment to social impact and her experience with leadership programs such as AmeriCorps/Public Allies. Yasameen holds a Master’s degree in Global Technology and Development from Arizona State University, complemented by extensive international study in Europe and North Africa. Fluent in Persian, Pashto, and English, she combines global perspective with local expertise, applying her skills in nonprofit leadership, real estate, and project management to create meaningful change. As an Afghan-American, Ms. Aboozar is passionate about women’s empowerment through literacy, skills building, and cultivating inclusive communities that thrive across generations. Parents need knowledge more than anything to survive the challenges that come with their new way of life in America. Thus, success is realized when individuals learn to read and write in Dari and English, improve employment retention, or even understand how to build wealth through homeownership.
• Project Management Professional (PMP)
• Real Estate Sales Agent - MD/DC/VA/PA
• Arizona State University - M.S.
• Project Management Institute (PMI)
• National Association of Realtors (NAR), Maryland Association of Realtors (MAR), Pennsylvania Association of Realtors (PAR), Anne Arundel County Association of Realtors (AACAR)
• Spreading Happiness to Empower (SHE)
What do you attribute your success to?
Success is born out of necessity or as Plato would say "Necessity is the mother of invention."
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Convert struggles to opportunities. Stay consistent. Be fearless. Be positive.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this field is to begin by identifying the needs in your community. When I started my own nonprofit, I focused on the resources I had available and collaborated with friends who shared my vision. Starting small and building from what’s accessible allowed us to create meaningful impact and grow sustainably.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Recruitment and retention can be challenging; however, we have been lucky to attract the right talent to serve our community. This could greatly be augmented with additional resources and the right partnerships.
The biggest opportunities are the grassroot resources that are readily available to serve.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Honesty, integrity, and resilience could take you far. Also, it is vital to take on a challenge that may seem minor to you and could be major for those without the "know-how".
Locations
Spreading Happiness to Empower (SHE)
Glen Burnie, MD 21060