Leadership

Meet the directors and learn how they are
shaping a stronger, more resilient future for Chitral

Our Work Our Work

Meet the Directors

At Chitral Rising, we lead through humble action, meeting people where they are and working alongside them to create change. Our leaders have spent their lives serving communities from all walks of life, believing that true leadership is built on trust, empathy, and shared experience. We strive to be a source of comfort and stability, ensuring that Chitralis see us as a part of their own fabric rather than an external force. Rooted in the people we serve, we listen first, act with purpose, and build solutions that reflect the needs and aspirations of our communities.

Claire Stephens
Founder & Executive Director
Founder & Executive Director

Claire Stephens

Claire Stephens is a writer with nearly a decade of experience in health education. In 2023, she traveled to Chitral, where she partnered with local leaders in Booni, Upper Chitral, to build Fikr Khana, a library that became the foundation for Chitral Rising. She later married a Chitrali and made Chitral her home. As founder and executive director, she leads initiatives in education, public health, and community development.

Anwar Wali Khan
Founder & Director
Founder & Director

Anwar Wali Khan

Anwar Wali Khan is a polo player and poet from a long line of village leaders in Chitral. He is the elected chairman of Booni, known for powerful speeches that unite communities around key social issues. As the director and co-founder of Chitral Rising, he champions education, Chitrali autonomy, and community development, bringing deep local insight and a lifelong commitment to his people’s progress.

Akhtar Ali
Director
Director

Akhtar Ali

Akhtar Ali is a dedicated community leader and social worker serving as the elected vice chairman of Junali Koch in Upper Chitral. He has spent his life advocating for Chitrali rights and leading grassroots efforts to support his people. Known for his courage in times of crisis, he is often the first to respond when disaster strikes, putting others before himself. As a director of Chitral Rising, he brings unwavering commitment and firsthand experience in community resilience and social impact.