A Family and youth counsellor by training, Afkham is a community builder and civic activist, extensively working and volunteering with the private, public and not-for- profit sectors for over 25 years. Her relentless advocacy for public good expands to a vast arena in social justice and represents the most vulnerable and marginalized populations.
Over the years, Afkham has been an avid volunteer serving on the governing and advisory boards of Toronto shelters, Social Planning Toronto, Family Service Toronto, Mood Disorders Association and CAMH, all the while founding and strengthening numerous social and cultural groups within the GTA. Her ability to assemble people and form participatory infrastructures has been evident in her intimate involvement with the Iranian Women’s Organization of Ontario-IWOO, where as President for seven years, she was instrumental in its transformation into a vibrant, funded and multi-service community service agency.
Afkham is currently the President of I2CRC, a not-for-profit multifaceted resource centre with on and off line resources, programs and services, contributing to making positive change in community life, establishing partnerships and resiliency. Her experience in and understanding of the socio-economic underpinning of human migration have enabled her to effectively advocate for research, and development of resources and services for newcomers, particularly for their mental health. For the past 16 years, she has worked with Hon. Kathleen Wynne, the former Premier of Ontario as the Director of Community Affairs and a senior staff advisor.