Balqees Sayed was born and raised in Afghanistan. She moved to the United States on a full scholarship from the Initiative to Educate Afghan Women (IEAW). With a multilingual background, Balqees began working as a translator in 2018, as a research assistant at Qara Consulting, LLC, in Kabul Afghanistan. She has been involved in numerous translation projects, including “Afghan Women’s Views on Violent Extremism and Aspirations to a Peacemaking Role” and the films “Retrograde” and “Ayenda”.

Since 2019, Balqees has been a dedicated volunteer, assisting the immigrant and refugee community in the Capital Region in various capacities. Her professional involvement in the child welfare system includes working as a Care Manager at Cayuga Centers, where she provided case management services to children in low-income communities, connecting them with essential resources. Currently, she works as a Program Manager at Bureau of Refugee Services at the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance.

Balqees joined RISSE as a board member in early 2024 after participating in the Community Foundation’s Catalyst for Change leadership program. She is honored to continue serving the refugee and immigrant community in this new role.

In addition to her community service, Balqees owns Latifa Premium Saffron, a small Amazon store that imports one of Afghanistan’s most valuable spices, contributing to the country’s economic strength. In her free time, she enjoys hiking and traveling, often exploring the Adirondack Mountains.