Australia for UNHCR has announced the appointment of Zoe Ghani to its Board. Ghani is currently Chief Technology Officer at online fashion and sportswear retailer, THE ICONIC, where she leads the company’s tech and customer experience strategy.

Ghani arrived in Australia from Afghanistan as a refugee in the 1980s and has since taken an active interest in UNHCR’s humanitarian work.

National Director of Australia for UNHCR, Naomi Steer, welcomed Ghani to the Board: “Technology plays a critical role in UNHCR’s emergency humanitarian operations globally and our fundraising activities across Australia, so I’m delighted to welcome Zoe to our Board. Her digital insight will play a valuable role in the governance of our organisation, as will her firsthand knowledge of the refugee experience and UNHCR’s work.”

Ghani said, “Coming from a refugee background myself, I believe in supporting others who have lost their homes. In 2006 I was lucky enough to visit a repatriation housing project in Afghanistan which was funded by Australian donors through Australia for UNHCR. My husband and I met many people who benefited from this, and since then I’ve followed the organisation’s work closely.

“We are living in a digital world where everyone is connected to what they care about most in new and different ways. I am hoping I can lend my years of digital and business strategy working within tech to the Australia for UNHCR team to help the ongoing evolution of their already successful digital donor experience, and ensure the great work of Australia for UNHCR continues to be amplified via digital.”

Prior to Ghani’s role leading THE ICONIC’s tech engagement strategy, she held senior positions at prominent organisations in Australia including News Corp and Yahoo!7.

Since arriving in Australia as a child, Ghani has returned to Afghanistan on several occasions, where she had the opportunity to see UNHCR’s work on the ground.

Ghani is the seventh member of Australia for UNHCR’s board, which also includes representatives from the media, arts and culture, financial, legal and sporting sectors.