NEEM TEAM
Editor-in-Chief: Benish A. Shah
Benish Shah is a graduate of Emory School of Law. Winner of Emory’s coveted Humanitarian Award for her service to others, Benish is known for her creativity in helping others and her ability to tackle controversial issues such as Hudood Ordinances, abortion, and hate speech. She’s been invited to speak on gender issues at The University of Chicago, the University of Baltimore Law School, and Touro Law Center in New York. Benish founded Emory’s South Asian Law Students Association and launched a program to deliver craft-kits to terminally ill children in the Children’s Hospital of Atlanta, while serving as an Executive Editor for Emory’s International Law Review. Recently, Benish caused a controversy by writing an article against David Horowitz’s appearance at Emory (serious, GOOGLE it!). As the founder of NEEM Magazine, Benish hopes to fill the need of a South Asian American fashion/beauty magazine that deals with real issues, while giving advice on the day-to-day. To learn how to get involved with NEEM, contact Benish at benish@neemmagazine.com.
Media & Policy Editor: Sheheryar T. Sardar
An attorney and partner at Sardar Law Firm, Sheheryar’s industry experiences are diverse. He has worked for several Fortune 500 companies, including The Coca-Cola Company and Cisco Company – Scientific Atlanta. He also worked in Prague at the leading Czech law firm, Kriz & Belina, where he analyzed a variety of emerging markets and international commercial issues. He gained litigation experience at the Regional Solicitor’s Office, U.S. Department of Labor, served as a Judicial Intern for the Hon. Anthony J. Parrillo of the New Jersey Superior Court – Appellate Division, and worked as a Lobbyist and Legislative Analyst for the Emory Barton Child Law & Policy Clinic. Currently, Sheheryar also acts as a Research Associate to Council Member Alan J. Gerson, representing District 1 of the NYC Council. He received a J.D. from Emory University School of Law in Atlanta. He is published in several legal industry publications on topics ranging from national security to trade. Contact Sheheryar at sardar@sardarlawfirm.com.
Fashion Editor: Nadia Shah
Nadia Shah is a graduate of the Elliot School of George Washington University with a degree in International Affairs. With this degree she hopes to become a foreign service officer and eventually achieve her ultimate goal: becoming an ambassador. So how does this qualify her to be a fashion editor you ask? In addition to her love for diplomacy, she loves fashion! At a young age her desire for the fashion world became apparent when she told her mother that she was capable of dressing herself. Ever since, she has become one fierce diva, but she admits, her looks suffer when she is under stress from school or is running solely on caffeine and all-nighters.
Editor of Culinary Affairs: Sonia Lakhany
Sonia is a J.D. Candidate for the Class of 2010 at the Emory University School of Law. Sonia recently co-founded the South Asian American Law Journal (SAALJ), the only active South Asian-based law journal in the country, and currently serves as Editor-in-Chief. She is also heavily involved with the North American South Asian Law Students Association (NASALSA) and the Emory SALSA. In addition to the law, Sonia has long held a penchant for the culinary arts. A subscriber of over ten publications and magazines dealing with food and recipes, Sonia has been an avid cook for several years. She regularly watches The Food Network and later duplicates the masterpieces in her own kitchen, substituting ingredients to make the recipes easier for everyday cooks. To that end, Sonia is currently authoring a cookbook for busy graduate students and working professionals. Originally from Orange County, CA, Sonia graduated from the University of Southern California in 2006 with a major in Communication and a minor in Business Administration. Before relocating to Atlanta, she held several internships in the entertainment industry during her time in Los Angeles, with experience at both ABC and BET.
Marketing Director: Andrew Hall
Andrew, the resident fashionista, brings Neem Magazine a creative mind and an excellent eye for fashion. His background consists of several years in fashion merchandising where he created several marketing programs reaching out to local Fortune 500 businesses like Booz Allen Hamilton, Sallie May, Titan, and Hyatt Hotels to expand his sales in the Northern Virginia/DC Metro area. He resides in Washington, DC where he is in his final year of completing a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Communications. He gained exposure to magazine layouts and the printing business while working for The Madison Design Group, a graphic design/print firm. As the marketing director Andrew hopes to increase readership and help NEEM grow into a mainstream publication while contributing Fashion, environmental, and world issue editorials.
