Meet Our Team
AMAANA Disability Resource Center was founded by Muslim mothers, educators, and relentless advocates for families living with disabilities. This woman-led staff and board, along with over a dozen dedicated volunteers, are passionate about bettering the lives of individuals with disabilities and their caregivers.
Founders & Staff
Rana Ottallah, Co-Founder and Co-Executive Director for Advocacy and Development
Rana Ottallah is a lifelong community leader and advocate for disability rights and equity in education. As a devoted single mother to four children, including one with special needs, Rana is personally committed to AMAANA’s core mission of providing equitable access to education for individuals of all abilities.
Rana leads AMAANA’s advocacy efforts with invaluable knowledge gleaned from extensive experience as a disability rights advocate in the school system. Her dedicated service on state and local Special Education Advisory boards has deepened her understanding of federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and policies pertaining to special education services and supports.
Throughout her career, Rana has made a profound impact on Muslim communities worldwide through her passion for fundraising and community organization. She has raised nearly one million dollars for causes she believes in including UNRWA USA, ANERA Jerusalem Festival, and Helping Hand for Relief and Development. Rana's dedication, experience, and collaborative approach with students, volunteers, families, school districts, and policymakers make her an invaluable asset to AMAANA and the communities it serves.
Email: advocate@laamaana.com
Rawida Abukhalil is a lifelong activist, community advocate, and an unwavering champion for individuals with special needs. As a mother to five, including children with special needs, Rawida intimately understands the unique joys and struggles faced by the families AMAANA serves. Her experiences over the last 25 years have led her to become a beacon of support and a compassionate ear for families navigating the complex journey of caring for children with disabilities.
Rawida taught Islamic Studies at JMA’s Main Ave. Campus for over 10 years and is currently a student of Quran Revolution with Imam Wisam Sharieff. Rawida has completed numerous classes at Al-Maghrib Institute, including Yasser Birjas’ “Project this House” and “The Art of Manners” with Ustadh Masjed Mahmoud.
Driven by the teachings of Islam and a sense of duty to all in need, Rawida is a pioneer for disability advocacy in the New Orleans Muslim community. Faith, relentless advocacy, and the urgent need to provide a safe, religiously and culturally appropriate day program in the Muslim community led Rawida to co-found AMAANA, Louisiana’s first community resource center dedicated to caring for and uplifting Muslims living with disabilities.
Email: rawida@laamaana.com
Rawida Abukhalil, Co-Founder, Co-Executive Director of Day Program and Volunteer Lead
Yasmine Khalil, Resource Center Coordinator
Yasmine Khalil is a community advocate and educator dedicated to supporting individuals with disabilities through mentorship, inclusive programming, and family engagement. With a background shaped by personal experience growing up alongside a family member with a disability, she has built her career on empathy, advocacy, and a commitment to accessibility. Her professional journey includes service as an Adult Day Program Co-Lead Teacher, where she supported adults with developmental disabilities in daily life skills and social engagement. She has also mentored children with disabilities at a Saturday school, helping them develop communication strategies, express emotions, and build peer connections. In addition to being fluent in both English and Arabic, she has contributed to program coordination, fundraising initiatives, and volunteer-led events, reflecting her strong organizational and leadership skills.
Yasmine holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of New Orleans and brings hands-on experience in childcare, behavior management, and program planning. At AMAANA, Yasmine serves as the Resource Center Coordinator, overseeing daily operations, volunteer management, and family support at the Eastbank location. She brings creativity, compassion, and a passion for inclusion to every aspect of her work, ensuring AMAANA’s programs continue to empower individuals with disabilities and strengthen community connections.
Email: yasminkhalil430@yahoo.com
Khulud Abdelfattah, Sunday School Lead Teacher, Accessibility Van Driver
Khulud Abdelfattah is an accomplished educator with over 20 years of experience in teaching and school leadership. She holds a B.A. in Elementary Education with a minor in Kindergarten/Preschool from the University of New Orleans, along with a Louisiana Teaching Certificate. In Louisiana, she has served as a First Grade Lead Teacher at Muslim Academy and currently works with the UVA Micro Academy, in Gretna, LA where she supports students through individualized learning and family engagement.
At AMAANA, Khulud serves as the Sunday School Lead Teacher and Accessible Van Driver. She has been instrumental in building the Sunday Islamic School program, utilizing inclusive lesson plans that integrate Arabic, Islamic studies, and sensory-friendly activities. She also contributed to the AMAANA Inclusive Summer Camp, supporting children with disabilities in structured learning and play. Additionally, Khulud is driver for AMAANA’s Free Accessible Van Transport Program, ensuring community members with mobility challenges can attend doctor visits, Jummah prayers, funerals, and other important events.
Fluent in English and Arabic, Khulud combines her classroom expertise, administrative skills, and compassion for families to advance AMAANA’s mission of inclusion, accessibility, and empowerment.
Email: sundayschool@laamaana.com
Dana Badarneh, Saturday School Lead Teacher
Dana Badarneh is a passionate psychology professional with a strong background in mental health support, rehabilitation, and intervention strategies. She holds a B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Sociology from Birzeit University and has extensive experience working with trauma survivors, particularly through her role at the Treatment and Rehabilitation Center for Victims of Torture (TRC). There, she provided psychological support, developed treatment plans, and facilitated both individual and group therapy sessions. Beyond her clinical experience, Dana is deeply committed to child development and education. She has led multiple children’s programs, including summer camps and reading initiatives, creating safe and enriching environments for young learners.
Under her guidance, the Weekend School offers comprehensive lesson plans that encompass Arabic language development, Islamic studies, sign language, and sensory skill enhancement. She applies her expertise in intervention strategies, empathy, and individualized support to help children thrive, ensuring that each student receives tailored instructions to support their unique style of learning. Her commitment to creating meaningful educational experiences makes her a valuable asset to the AMAANA team.
Email: saturdayschool@laamaana.com
Yasmine Hindi, Day Program Co-Lead Teacher
As a psychology major, Yasmine is deeply passionate about understanding human behavior and mental processes. Her interest in psychology connects closely with her involvement in AMAANA. Through AMAANA, she has gained valuable insights into the challenges faced by people with disabilities, which she finds enriches her studies and fuels her desire to advocate for mental health awareness and inclusivity. This experience has not only enhanced her academic journey but also strengthened her commitment to making a positive impact in the community.
Mehwish Issa, Lead Social Support Counselor
Mehwish is a highly dedicated and experienced therapist specializing in trauma, relationship restoration, and mental health support. She holds a Master's degree in Social Work with a specialization in Gerontology from Loyola University of Chicago. Mehwish's passion for working with the elderly and individuals facing mental health challenges led her to pursue a career in clinical therapy.
Driven by her passion for serving those with severe mental illnesses, Mehwish joined Family Preservation Services (FPS) as a therapist. Recognized for her exceptional work, she was promoted to Supervisor and later became the Clinical Director. However, realizing her desire to reconnect with individual therapy, she established a private practice focused on trauma, relationship restoration, and mental health. With her personal understanding and expertise, Mehwish provides a safe and supportive environment for our AMAANA parents, helping clients develop coping skills and find peace in their lives.
Email: info@issacounseling.com
Please send us a note about your interest and qualifications for part-time and full-time positions at AMAANA.
OUR GOVERNING BOARD
Houssem Aouididi, Board President
Rania Saleh, Board Treasurer
Jade Fedele, Board Secretary
Suezanne Mubarak, Board Member
Dr. Samia Suleman, Board Member
Rana Ottallah, Co-Executive Director
Rawida Abukhalil, Co-Executive Director
AMAANA is committed to transparency and becoming better as we grow. Click here to view our board meeting minutes.
Meet Our Board Members
Houssem Aouididi, Board President
Houssem Aouididi is a father to two beautiful boys, one of whom is proud to be an AMAANA student. Houssem is the Chief Financial Officer of a national live entertainment firm and the CEO of his own finance firm. Houssem’s impressive work resume, certifications, and education are outshined only by his values, emotional intelligence, and passion for education and bettering himself and the organizations he believes in. When not volunteering as Board President of AMAANA, or working as a CFO, or on his own businesses, he’s chasing around his sons, dreaming of the sparkling blue coasts of his native Tunisia, and trying new food pop-ups with his family.
Email: president@laamaana.com
Rania Saleh, Board Treasurer
Rania Salah is a mother of two children, including one on the spectrum. She is a strong advocate for her child’s education rights in the school system. She has 14 years of experience in the shipping field and now runs a very successful catering business, loves cooking different foods from Middle Eastern to Italian, in addition to baking cakes and sweets. Rania serves AMAANA as board treasurer and represents parents living in the East Bank of Jefferson Parish.
Email: treasurer@laamaana.com
Jade Fedele, Board Secretary
Jade Fedele is the Secretary on the Board of Directors for AMAANA. She is the Keeper of Records and provides administrative or editorial support as needed. A native of Louisiana, Jade has lived in the Greater New Orleans area for more than 10 years. She completed her Bachelor’s degree in English from the University of New Orleans in 2016 and has been busy volunteering with various charity and Muslim organizations in the area ever since. Jade was inspired to join AMAANA through her personal journey as a mother of three sons with special needs. After losing her first child to a congenital heart defect in 2017, her second child was later diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder in 2021, and her third child was born in 2024 with another rare congenital heart defect.
It was through her firsthand experience in struggling to finding parental support, researching her children’s disabilities, and learning to be an advocate that she gained a deep appreciation for the need of a non-profit organization like AMAANA, seeking to improve the quality of life for Muslim families with disabilities in our community; one program at a time.
Email: secretary@laamaana.com
Suezanne Mubarak, Board Member
Suezanne Mubarak is a mother of three children on the spectrum, she has firsthand experience with the challenges and rewards of raising kids with unique needs. This personal journey sparked her passion for helping other parents who are just starting to navigate the world of special needs. Suezanne’s desire to make a difference comes from her own experiences as a stay-at-home mom. She knows how overwhelming it can be when you first learn your child has a disability, and she’s committed to being a source of support and guidance for other families facing similar challenges. Whether it’s offering advice, sharing resources, or simply lending a listening ear, Suezanne is eager to help others through the tough moments and celebrate the victories.
Beyond supporting parents, Suezanne is passionate about ensuring that children with special needs have the opportunities and resources they need to thrive. Her work with Amaana is driven by her belief that every child deserves the chance to succeed, no matter what obstacles they may face. Through her role on the board, she hopes to work towards building a more inclusive, understanding community for families and children alike.
Email: suemubarak91@gmail.com
Dr. Samia Suleman, MD, MSPH, Board Member
Dr. Samia Suleman is a physician and public health leader dedicated to using healthcare as a tool for social change. With a career spanning clinical practice, health systems innovation, and community mobilization, she has consistently worked to reduce disparities and improve outcomes for underserved populations. As President of the Pakistani Community Association of Greater New Orleans, Dr. Suleman has spearheaded initiatives to expand education, women’s health programming, and civic engagement.
She is a partner at Infinity Health Direct Primary Care, where she integrates preventive medicine, patient empowerment, and accessible care into a model designed to break down traditional barriers to healthcare. Her board service with the Louisiana Direct Primary Care Coalition, The Citizens Foundation New Orleans Chapter, and American Muslim Health Professionals further reflects her dedication to equity-driven policy and collaborative solutions.
At Amaana, Dr. Suleman brings a unique blend of medical expertise, public health training, and a lifelong commitment to community-based strategies that drive sustainable, meaningful social impact.