Leadership & Governance: Our Advisory Council
The strength of the Sacramento Metro Muslim Chamber of Commerce lies in its leadership. Our Board of Directors provides the strategic vision and governance that drive our mission forward—empowering businesses, professionals, students, and investors while shaping an inclusive economic future for Sacramento. We are proud to have a team guiding daily operations and an Advisory Council offering strategic counsel and expertise. Together, they ensure integrity, innovation, and impact across everything we do. |
Advisory Council
Our Advisory Council offers strategic counsel, partnerships, and subject-matter expertise that strengthen programs, advocacy, and member services. These leaders complement the Board of Directors by opening doors and mentoring founders across the region.
Payam Sanatkar
Payam is a business development leader with deep experience in healthcare and pharmaceuticals. At Behphar Pharmaceutical Investment Group, he helped launch and manage subsidiaries across the Middle East and Europe. He later served as Senior Director of Business Development at Valeant, leading acquisitions, divestitures, and distributor integrations across Turkey, the Middle East, and Africa. Since returning to the U.S. in 2018, he’s invested in restaurants, property development, and facilities management, and launched a commercial and residential painting company. At SMMCC he advises on market entry, partnerships, and procurement so members can grow responsibly and in line with community values.
Razia Khan
Razia Khan brings extensive expertise in information security and executive advisory. Her mastery in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), coaching, hypnosis, and yoga enables effective communication and team collaboration. With a passion for empowerment and an empathetic approach, Ms. Khan fosters a cooperative environment that promotes success, growth, authenticity and transparency. Her international perspective further enhances discussions and decision-making processes.
Kamal Ahmed
Kamal Ahmed is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist serving clients in Sacramento and the Bay Area. He holds a B.A. in Psychology from San José State University (2012) and an M.A. in Counseling from Sofia University (2016). His training includes Brainspotting certification, advanced CBT for anxiety from the Beck Institute, and additional work in Emotional Freedom Technique and Relational Life Therapy; he is a CCATP and a member of AAMFT and CAMFT. He works with men, teens, and athletes and brings perspective on workplace well-being, youth development, and private-practice operations.