Today we’d like to introduce you to Lubna Fazal Maayr
Hi Lubna, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
The story of UH Pakistani Alumni Network (UHPA) is one of shared vision, community, and giving back. Over the years, many of us—proud UH graduates—had been involved in various initiatives, but there was no unified effort to bring Pakistani and Pakistani American alumni together in a meaningful way. We saw an opportunity to formalize these efforts under the umbrella of a University of Houston alumni organization—one that would strengthen connections with our alma mater, support students, and create a lasting impact on both UH and the greater community. The idea truly took shape in 2023 at a fellow alum’s retirement reception, where a group of like-minded alumni came together and decided we were going to establish a dedicated platform for mentorship, networking, and service. With a clear purpose and shared mission, we officially launched UHPA in December 2023, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit under the UH Alumni Association Foundation.
For me, this effort was deeply personal—it felt like coming full circle. As a graduate of the University of Houston, having attended both undergraduate and law school, I have always valued the opportunities UH provided me—from a public interest law fellowship to transformative experiences that shaped my nearly two-decade career in law, government, and public service. UH had a profound impact on my journey, just as it had for everyone else on our team. That shared appreciation and desire to pay it forward became the driving force behind UHPA, bringing together a community of passionate alumni committed to strengthening ties with UH, supporting students, and giving back to the greater Houston community.
At UHPA, our mission is deeply rooted in four key pillars:
Strengthening Ties with the University – We foster a lasting connection between Pakistani alumni and UH, supporting Cougar pride, diversity, and community engagement.
Enhancing Professional and Social Networking – UHPA provides a platform for alumni to connect, collaborate, and grow, offering networking events, mentorship programs, and industry panels to advance careers and build relationships.
Supporting Current and Prospective Students – We give back by fundraising for scholarships, providing mentorship, and offering career support to help students succeed.
Serving and Giving Back to the Community – UHPA actively engages in community service and philanthropy, partnering with organizations like the Houston Food Bank to make a meaningful impact both at UH and in the greater Houston community.
What started as casual conversations and shared aspirations has turned into a thriving alumni network with a solid mission, clear goals, and lasting momentum. The journey has been both rewarding and inspiring. Together, we are committed to making a lasting difference in the lives of future UH leaders and for the community we care so deeply about.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Starting a new organization is never easy—it requires building a team, laying a foundation, and gaining momentum. Getting UHPA off the ground was no different. We had our share of hurdles, and there was a lot to learn and navigate along the way. Fortunately, we had incredible support from the University and the community, which made a huge difference. Another major blessing was that, despite our diverse perspectives and outlooks, we stayed grounded in our shared vision and passion for our mission. From the start, our team knew the impact we wanted to make—strengthening alumni connections, supporting students, and giving back to the community. If any differences of opinion came up, we stayed focused on our overarching goal and worked through challenges together—by listening to each other, setting egos aside and prioritizing our shared objectives.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
So I explained briefly above what the story behind UHPA is as well as our mission and goals. We have now crossed the one-year mark as an official alumni organization under the University of Houston Alumni Association Foundation umbrella. I am incredibly proud of all that we accomplished in our inaugural year. UHPA has built a thriving alumni network, strengthened ties between UH graduates of Pakistani heritage and the university, while creating meaningful opportunities for networking, mentorship, and community service. A major milestone was our signature fundraising gala in October, where we significantly exceeded our fundraising goals, allowing us to offer UHPA scholarships for the first time this year. From career networking events and cultural programs to volunteering with the Houston Food Bank, we had some amazing milestones. We were also honored to receive a Banner Award from UH, recognizing our impact and dedication within year one. Now that we have embarked on year two, we still have plenty of work to do. With a solid foundation built, our focus is on increasing alumni engagement, providing social and career networking opportunities for alumni and students, administering scholarships through the funds we’ve raised, and continuing to expand our team and board.
What truly sets us apart and continues to drive our success is our commitment to paying it forward. I don’t just mean those of us on UHPA team, but this includes our members and our alumni community at large. As mentioned earlier, within our alumni network we have lawyers, entrepreneurs, doctors, engineers, business leaders, creatives and many others thriving in their respective communities and fields. We have all benefited from our education and experiences at the University of Houston, but we haven’t forgotten what brought us here and shaped our success. Our goal is to support UH, build a strong alumni community, uplift the greater Houston community, and empower the next generation of leaders, change-makers, and innovators—ensuring they have the same opportunities to succeed.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
If I had to credit one factor for UHPA’s success, it would be the service mindset that our entire team shares. To me, having a service mindset means recognizing the impact we can make beyond our own personal and professional lives. It’s about prioritizing community, giving back, and using our time and resources to uplift others. It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day demands of life, but those of us who believe in service understand that true fulfillment comes from making a difference.
As a working mom of two young girls, balancing a career, volunteer commitments, family obligations, and social responsibilities is never easy. Some days, it feels like there’s never enough time in the day, and I know so many others on our team feel the same way. We understand that giving back, creating opportunities, and building a stronger community doesn’t happen on its own—it requires intention, effort, and commitment.
The reason UHPA has been so successful in its first year isn’t because of one person—it’s because we all share this mindset. We push through the challenges, we make time where there seems to be none, and we do it because we care. It’s not always easy, but when an entire team is driven by a shared passion for community and service, we find a way to make it work.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://uhaaf.com/alumni-associations/interest-and-affinity/pakistani-alumni-network/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uhpakistanialumni/#
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61554964221615
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-university-of-houston-pakistani-alumni-network/
