Meet Us

Surkhab is responsible for overseeing operations, training, accounting and soliciting projects for PAKSBAB. He is a 2013 Acumen Pakistan Fellow. Surkhab earned a Bachelor of Law degree from Justice Law College ATD, an M.A. in political science from the University of Peshawar, a Bachelor of Education degree from Allama Iqbal Open University, and a Masters in Development Studies from COMSATS Institute of Information Technology. He previously worked for 4 years as an advocate and founded two English medium schools in his village of Kakul. Following the 2005 earthquake, Surkhab worked in disaster relief for the organization BEST/UNHCR as a social mobilizer, and subsequently for Dosti Welfare Organization as Assistant Program Officer for Livelihood and Capacity Building, where he supported the first straw bale construction projects in Pakistan.

Darcey led PAKSBAB during its first decade and performed organizational oversight, strategic planning, design and engineering, grant and proposal writing, presentations, and was the principal investigator for PAKSBAB’s seismic research project. She has a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Stanford University, an M.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Nevada, Reno, and is a licensed professional civil engineer in California and Nevada. Darcey currently works for the Town of Truckee Building and Safety Division as a Plans Examiner. From 1994 - 2016 she held various positions in residential design, engineering and construction, including her structural engineering practice EcoEngineering, which specialized in straw bale and green building. Previously she worked for 8 years as a Product Design and Development Engineer for Raychem Corporation.

Leeds monitors, directs and responds to PAKSBAB's website email inquiries. He has helped with strategic planning, fundraising, and permaculture advocacy and outreach. Leeds has a BBA in marketing with a minor in finance from University of Hawaii. He has been involved in a variety of business ventures including equipment and hardware design in blue water and dinghy sailboat racing, new home construction and remodels, and voice, video, and data wiring. Leeds currently practices and teaches healing arts massage. Leeds has served as a school board member, headed the junior activities program at California Yacht Club, and helped organize and coach youth soccer and baseball. In Truckee, he has served on the Airport Community Advisory Team, volunteers as a docent for Trails and Vistas, and leads kirtan chanting and the World Wide Prayer Circle at For Goodness Sake.

Jennifer is a freelance web designer specializing in the WordPress platform. She designed and maintains PAKSBAB's website and has assisted with strategic planning, outreach and branding. Jennifer is a dedicated environmental advocate. She has a B.A. in Public Policy from Stanford University with an emphasis in environmental policy, and an MBA from Santa Clara University. She is currently a part-time business manager for the non-profit Re-evaluation Foundation, and has worked as a finance manager and administrator for several small companies. She was a competitive collegiate gymnast and is a current yoga asana practitioner.

During PAKSBAB's start-up phase, Shannon served as Public Relations Manager and helped with strategic planning and fundraising. She has assisted in the design and construction of four straw bale houses as well as training programs in Pakistan. Shannon was a Research Associate for PAKSBAB's Seismic Research Project at the University of Nevada, Reno in 2008 - 2009 and oversaw plaster specimens and testing. She has B.A. in Architecture from the University of California, Berkeley and has attended numerous straw bale construction workshops and conferences. Shannon is a co-owner of Xtracycle, the pioneer cargo bike company in America, which promotes car-replacing bicycles around the world.

Shahid has degrees in Chemical Engineering (Pakistan), Environmental Pollution Control (U.K.), and Environmental Engineering (Canada). Since 1990, he has worked for the State of California on various water and energy related assignments. Since 2000, Shahid has been involved in providing policy, planning, and technical support to develop cost effective, energy efficient, and sustainable water resources through water conservation, water recycling, and brackish water and seawater desalination. Previously, he was an Assistant Professor in water supply and wastewater disposal at the University of Engineering & Technology in Lahore for 9 years. Shahid also has experience working on UNDP, UNEP, and USAID funded water, energy, environment, and climate change related projects.