“I’ve always believed that business acumen can be a tool for social good” she shares. “The skills I gained in management – strategy, planning, leadership – could just as effectively be applied to solving societal challenges.”

That realization would become the cornerstone of her life’s mission: to bridge the gap between business efficiency and human empathy.

A Vision Rooted in Purpose

The turning point in Rizwana’s journey came when she founded The SOL Foundation, a nonprofit organization with a global outlook and a deeply human heart. The foundation’s mission is to support education and environmental initiatives across underserved and underprivileged communities, empowering individuals to shape better lives for themselves and future generations.

What sets The SOL Foundation apart is its holistic approach – it doesn’t simply deliver aid, it creates ecosystems of empowerment. “Education and environmental health are interconnected” Rizwana explains. “When communities are educated, they’re better equipped to make sustainable decisions. And when the environment thrives, people thrive with it.”

With operations and partnerships that stretch from the United States to Africa and Asia, The SOL Foundation has become a platform for meaningful collaboration between changemakers, educators, and environmental advocates.

Defining Milestones on the Journey

For Rizwana, each milestone represents not just an organizational success, but a story of impact. Among the many achievements The SOL Foundation has celebrated, two moments stand out as defining chapters in her journey.

The first was registering The SOL Foundation as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in Illinois, a process that required both persistence and vision. “That was a landmark moment for us” she reflects. “It gave us the legitimacy and reach to expand our efforts across borders and communities. More importantly, it opened the door for partnerships that could magnify our mission.”

The second milestone was becoming a partner to the United Nations, through a collaboration with the Youth Association in Kenya. This partnership focused on empowering youth, particularly girls and young women, by providing access to education and leadership opportunities. “Working with the UN network was a dream realized” Rizwana says with pride. “It gave our foundation a global stage to address issues that often go unnoticed – like the barriers girls face in continuing their education or accessing mentorship opportunities.”

These milestones, she notes, are not endpoints but stepping stones. “Every achievement is a responsibility” she adds thoughtfully. “The more we grow, the more we owe it to those who depend on our work to continue innovating and improving.”

Navigating a Rapidly Evolving Sector

As someone who has spent years working across both the corporate and nonprofit worlds, Rizwana has a clear perspective on how the nonprofit sector is transforming. “We’re entering a phase where sustainability and technology are no longer optional – they’re essential” she asserts.

From artificial intelligence that can optimize resource distribution to blockchain systems that ensure donation transparency, technology is reshaping how social impact organizations operate. Rizwana envisions The SOL Foundation as a leader in this technology-driven future.

“The SOL Foundation is exploring innovative approaches to social and environmental challenges. We’re looking at how data, AI, and digital tools can help us reach more people, track impact more accurately, and create scalable solutions” she explains. “Our goal is to integrate innovation with compassion – using modern tools to serve timeless human needs.”

Her strategic approach has already attracted the attention of partners and donors who believe in data-backed philanthropy – where every dollar and every effort can be traced, measured, and celebrated for the lives it transforms.

Empowering Through Collaboration

Rizwana is quick to acknowledge that true progress is never the result of one person or one organization alone. “Collaboration is at the heart of impact” she says firmly. “You can have the best ideas, but without partnerships, they remain ideas. Collaboration brings them to life.”

Under her leadership, The SOL Foundation has cultivated partnerships with schools, government bodies, environmental groups, and private companies – each playing a crucial role in amplifying the foundation’s mission. These alliances, Rizwana believes, are not just strategic but symbolic. “They represent what’s possible when we choose unity over isolation and purpose over prestige.”

Lessons for the Next Generation of Leaders

When asked what advice she would give to aspiring leaders who want to make a difference, Rizwana’s answer is both heartfelt and practical. “Resilience, empathy, and collaboration are the three pillars of leadership” she says. “You’ll face challenges, but what matters most is how you rise above them and what you learn in the process.”

She encourages young professionals to see leadership not as a title but as a responsibility. “Stay true to your mission. Don’t let setbacks define you. Every failure carries a lesson, and every obstacle can become an opportunity if you approach it with the right mindset.”

For Rizwana, leadership is not about standing at the front – it’s about lifting others. “True leaders don’t build empires; they build communities. They create pathways for others to shine” she says, her voice filled with conviction. “By working together, we can drive systemic change and create a brighter future for all.”

A Commitment Close to Home: Empowering Educators in the USA

While The SOL Foundation operates globally, Rizwana ensures that its impact begins right at home in the United States. One of its most inspiring programs, ‘Empowering Educators in USA,’ addresses a challenge often overlooked – the financial burden teachers face in trying to provide essential learning materials for their classrooms.

“Many teachers spend their own money on school supplies” she explains. “It might seem like a small issue, but it directly affects the quality of education children receive. When educators are forced to divert personal resources, it limits their ability to innovate and inspire in the classroom.”

The program seeks to bridge that gap by partnering with schools and teachers across the country, ensuring that classrooms are well-equipped and educators can focus entirely on teaching. “By joining forces, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of American students” Rizwana says.

The initiative has already gained traction, with donors and volunteers stepping forward to support educators, enhance classrooms, and build stronger learning environments. Through donation drives, fundraising events, and corporate partnerships, the foundation is making it easier for teachers to access the resources they need without personal sacrifice.

Her call to action is clear and powerful: “Get involved. Donate today. Help us empower educators, support students, and foster a brighter future for our communities. Together, we can help students achieve their educational goals and reach their full potential.”

Beyond Borders: The Ripple Effect of Compassion

What makes Rizwana’s story remarkable is not just her accomplishments but the ripple effect of her compassion. Each project The SOL Foundation undertakes becomes a story of lives changed – of children who can now go to school, of communities that have adopted sustainable practices, of teachers who can finally teach without compromise.

“Impact can’t always be measured in numbers” she reflects. “Sometimes it’s the smile of a child who can finally attend class, or the gratitude of a teacher who no longer feels alone. Those are the real outcomes of our work.”

Her approach blends empathy with strategy, creating an organization that is as efficient as it is compassionate – a rare balance in the modern world of philanthropy.

The Road Ahead

Looking toward the future, Rizwana envisions The SOL Foundation expanding its global footprint while deepening its local impact. Plans are underway to develop digital learning platforms, eco-education initiatives, and sustainable community projects that merge technology with grassroots engagement.

“We’re working on solutions that don’t just address today’s challenges but anticipate tomorrow’s” she says. “Education, environment, and innovation must evolve together if we’re to create real change.”

Her goal is not only to sustain The SOL Foundation’s programs but to inspire a new generation of social entrepreneurs who will continue the work long after her. “If we can motivate others to take up the cause – to use their skills, networks, and resources to serve humanity – that will be our greatest success.”

A Legacy of Light

In a time when the world is searching for leadership that is both visionary and compassionate, Rizwana’s work with The SOL Foundation serves as a powerful reminder of what one individual’s conviction can achieve. Through education, environmental advocacy, and unyielding hope, she continues to illuminate paths where others once saw only obstacles.

Her journey reflects the spirit of the 2025 Frontier 100s – leaders who are not merely navigating the future but shaping it with courage, creativity, and heart.

As she looks ahead, Rizwana remains guided by a simple yet profound belief: that every act of kindness, every partnership built, and every student empowered brings us one step closer to a better world.

And through her light, thousands more are finding the courage to shine.