Professional Profile
Nasreen Akhtar
President, Naz716 Business & Cultural Center
Strategic business leader and community advocate with 15+ years of experience leading operations, entrepreneurship initiatives, and workforce-centered programs across Western New York.
Certified MWBE (New York State) known for turning cross-sector partnerships into practical support systems for women, youth, and minority entrepreneurs. She is also active with Howard Hanna Real Estate Services under the Sokody Team, serving clients as a real estate agent for the last few years.
15+ Years
Executive leadership across operations, business growth, and community-centered programming.
NYS-Certified MWBE
Advancing equitable entrepreneurship through mentorship, partnerships, and access pathways.
Cross-Sector Operator
Leadership spanning private enterprise, nonprofit collaboration, and regional advisory service.
Leadership Mandate
Build practical pathways where small businesses can launch, communities can collaborate, and local families can access long-term economic opportunity.
“Sustainable growth happens when businesses, families, and institutions are all connected through trust, mentorship, and execution.”
Nasreen Akhtar
Core Leadership Focus
Operational discipline paired with culturally responsive outreach, so programs deliver measurable value for both entrepreneurs and neighborhoods.
How Nasreen Helps
Focused support across business, community partnerships, and real estate guidance.
Business Growth
Launch & Scale Guidance
Supports entrepreneurs with workspace strategy, visibility planning, and practical growth pathways.
Community Partnerships
Program & Partnership Design
Builds collaborations with schools, nonprofits, and regional partners to deliver measurable community outcomes.
Real Estate Support
Client-Focused Property Guidance
Provides buyer and seller support through Howard Hanna Real Estate Services under the Sokody Team.
Impact Snapshot
Highlights that reflect long-term execution across business operations, service delivery, and community leadership.
15+
Years of leadership across business and community initiatives
50+
Countries represented across transportation service clients
60+
Students supported in long-running volunteer education programs
7
Active board and advisory commitments across the Buffalo-Niagara region
Strategic Impact Areas
Profile-level priorities that define Nasreen’s leadership model across business and community initiatives.
Entrepreneur Ecosystem Building
Develops environments where startups and small businesses can access workspace, visibility, and partner support in one place.
Operational Excellence
Leads teams with strong compliance, budgeting, and service standards to create reliable outcomes for clients and partners.
Community-Centered Program Design
Designs workshops and engagement initiatives that strengthen family support, student readiness, and entrepreneur confidence.
Cross-Cultural Stakeholder Engagement
Builds trusted relationships across public agencies, nonprofits, and local leaders to expand participation and impact.
Current Leadership Portfolio
Active roles where Nasreen combines strategic direction, operational execution, and community partnership building.
Business & Economic Development
Naz716 Business & Cultural Center
As President, she leads a hybrid incubator and community hub supporting entrepreneurs, startups, and established small businesses.
- Oversees tenant relations, facility operations, and vendor management.
- Leads branding, digital outreach, and business education programming.
- Connects MWBE and minority founders to mentors and local opportunity networks.
Operations & Service Delivery
Aero Transportation
As President, she has built and scaled transportation operations that serve healthcare partners, local clients, and international visitors.
- Leads fleet performance, dispatch systems, compliance, and staffing operations.
- Oversees AR/AP, budgeting, vendor agreements, and service quality systems.
- Supports a diverse customer base representing 50+ countries.
Regional Civic Leadership
Board & Advisory Platform
Provides strategic guidance and public-facing leadership across entrepreneurship, workforce, arts, and family-focused community initiatives.
- P-TECH Program (MWBE Grant Partner), Bridge Niagara Foundation, and Ibero Business Center.
- Niagara USA Chamber of Commerce and Niagara County Workforce Development Board.
- Niagara Arts & Cultural Center and Ahmadiyya Muslim Community (Buffalo Chapter).
Real Estate Advisory
In addition to her business and community leadership, Nasreen supports real estate clients through Howard Hanna Real Estate Services as part of the Sokody Team.
Support Areas
- Guidance for buyers and sellers navigating local Western New York markets
- Clear communication, culturally aware support, and practical next-step planning
- Aligned coordination with Naz716 community and business networks when relevant
Book a Real Estate Consultation
Start with a short consultation to discuss your goals, timeline, and property priorities.
Community & Board Engagement
Leadership roles focused on practical outcomes for families, students, entrepreneurs, and underserved populations.
Education & Family Support
P-TECH Program (MWBE Grant Partner)
Leads student and parent engagement through mental health workshops, goal-setting sessions, and communication initiatives.
Regional Community Impact
Bridge Niagara Foundation (Co-Chair)
Supports large-scale outreach initiatives, women’s empowerment programming, and community-serving campaigns.
Minority Business Advocacy
Ibero Business Center (Advisory Board)
Provides strategic guidance for minority and underserved entrepreneur programming and ecosystem partnerships.
Long-Term Youth Leadership
Ahmadiyya Muslim Community – Buffalo Chapter
Volunteer principal since 2004, leading educational programs and youth development for 60+ students.
Credentials
- Master of Science, Interdisciplinary Studies
Niagara University, 2010
Concentration: Diversity in Higher Education - Bachelor of Science, Commerce
Niagara University, 2006
Concentration: Management | Minor: Political Science - New York State Licensed Real Estate Salesperson
Howard Hanna Real Estate Services (Sokody Team) | 2023 – Present
Core Competencies
- Business Operations, AR/AP Oversight, and Budget Management
- Strategic Partnerships and Stakeholder Relations
- Program, Event, and Community Engagement Development
- Workforce and Youth Development Leadership
- Marketing, Brand Development, and Multicultural Outreach
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Social Media and Digital Marketing Platforms
- Website and Content Management Systems
Urdu (Fluent)
Hindi (Fluent)
Spanish (Conversational)
Professional Presence
Nasreen’s public LinkedIn profile reinforces her work in entrepreneurship advocacy, marketing strategy, and community-led development.
LinkedIn Snapshot
- Location: Buffalo-Niagara Falls Area
- Services listed: Advertising, Event Marketing, Lead Generation, Marketing Strategy, Social Media Marketing
- Public posts highlight women-owned business growth, community impact campaigns, and entrepreneurial visibility.
Connect & Collaborate
Connect for partnership opportunities, speaking invitations, and community-centered business initiatives.
Work With Nasreen & Naz716
For tenant opportunities, regional partnerships, MWBE support, or community initiatives, connect directly with the Naz716 team.