Our Team
We bring different perspectives together, united by a belief in education as a pathway to hope, community as a source of strength, and opportunity as a right for every Afghan girl.
The Thursday nights when Dr. Holm teaches his Advanced English/Literature course are the best nights of his week. He also directs and supports teachers of all other classes.
Dr. Holm holds a Ph.D. in Classics from Boston University, taught Classics and college writing at Boston College, Boston University, Tufts University, and Colgate University, and taught Latin and Ancient Greek and served as department chair of Languages at an independent school in New Jersey where he met the Afghan student that helped start that first class.
He enjoys reading and writing fantasy novels, owns 250 vinyl albums, and pretends to play the bass in order to keep up with his very musical family.
Seth Holm
Founding Director
Teo Fleming
Since Spring 2023, Husna has been serving as Assistant Director, developing curriculum, coordinating volunteers, and assisting with impact assessment and strategic planning, among other responsibilities.
Currently, she is an Ada Comstock Scholar at Smith College, majoring in Government and Economics. She enjoys teaching and collaborating with others, speaks five languages, and is known for being a supportive sister and mentor.
She has been consistently and tirelessly working since Fall 2022, reflecting her commitment to personal growth and inspiring those around her with her dedication.
Husna SA
Dr. Dua reached out in the winter of 2023 after reading about AESOP in the news and offered to help. Since then she has become a Phone Buddy, advises AESOP directors on growing the program, is a model of female confidence and accomplishment, and is a source of inspiration for female students struggling to envision their futures.
Dr. Dua is a vascular surgeon at Mass General Hospital and an Associate Professor of Surgery at Harvard Medical School. She is the director of the vascular lab, co-director of the peripheral artery disease center, clinical director of vascular research, and associate director of the wound care center. She has done medical work all over the world, including at CURE hospital in Kabul.
She has a passion for rescuing pit bulls and spends her precious little free time with her husband, daughter, son, and dog, Leo.
Co-Founder, Assistant Director, Academic Program Coordinator
Technical Director, Strategic Planning
Teo Fleming joined AESOP as a Phone Buddy in the fall of 2022. Since then he has collaborated with our team of directors in the US and in Afghanistan, innovating and improving our technical system and online presence.
Mr. Fleming has a master’s degree in computer science from École 42, the premier university for software startup founders and developers in France. He has worked across the board as a software engineer, technical program manager, and founder, working on everything from bioinformatic research to maglev vehicles.
Mr. Fleming has a passion for learning languages and is thrilled to be able to help bring the joy of language to AESOP’s students. In his free time, Mr. Fleming competes in triathlons, cooks, and spends time with his friends and his dog.
During a post-grad year as a high school student in 2022, after evacuating from Afghanistan in 2021, Ms. Zahra conceived the idea of creating an online English class. She put together a roster and raised funds for our first class, planned the budget, and worked through the many initial problems of logistics and internet access.
She continues to distribute internet support and track expenses for all AESOP programs.
She is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s degree on a full scholarship from Ohio Wesleyan University with continued support from AGFAF.org.
Zahra Yazdani
Anahita Dua MD MS MBA
Advancement, Strategic Planning
Co-founder, Treasurer
