Inayatiyya Astana Staff

Executive Administration

Jennifer Alia Wittman
Executive Director

Jennifer Alia Wittman has an extensive background founding, stabilizing, growing and advancing nonprofit organizations and small businesses. She has served as the Inayatiyya’s Executive Director in North America since 2014.

Prior to her work with the Inayatiyya, Alia was a leader within the National Service movement in the United States, helping establish AmeriCorps in the state of Maryland. After that she served as Executive Director of Hands on Baltimore, a volunteer organization dedicated to serving Baltimore’s many diverse neighborhoods.

After years of such service, Alia turned to helping organizations build administrative and operational capacity. She has served as General Manager of Suluk Press correcting a financial downturn, managed the start-up of Seven Pillars House of Wisdom, a modern-day wisdom collaborative engaging an inspiring group of leading thinkers, and contracted with many groups to help during times of transition and reorganization. Alia lives in Richmond, Virginia.

Joshua Octaviani
Executive Assistant to the Executive Director

Joshua Octaviani is an administrative professional with extensive experience working in the nonprofit sector, from small to large-sized organizations. Beyond this, he also has experience founding and growing independent all-volunteer community organizations in Richmond, Virginia. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from the College of William and Mary. Outside of his professional life, Joshua actively nurtures and develops an incredibly wide range of personal interests and practices.

Joshua can be reached at josh@inayatiyya.org. For questions about donations or accounts payable/receivable, please email accounting@inayatiyya.org. 

Tajalli Roselli
Special Assistant to The Pir

Tajalli Roselli was initiated into the Inayatiyya in 2012, and is a graduate of the Suluk Academy (Gulzar). She earned a Master’s Degree in Theology before becoming an attorney. She has practiced immigration law for over 20 years focusing on asylum, family-based immigration, and refugee issues. Tajalli was a member of the Inayatiyya Board of Trustees from 2016 – 2021. She lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

If you are hoping to reach Pir Zia, please email her at piroffice@inayatiyya.org.

Operations

Kenneth Sparks
Director of Operations

Kenneth Sparks is a seasoned professional, with over 20 years of administrative, human resources, and operations experience. He has worked with corporations, nonprofits, and small businesses on many levels. Kenneth has had extensive training in customer service, logistics, and time management. He has used this training to play a key role in supporting organizational growth and success in his past positions. Kenneth was born and raised in New York City and received his education in Business Administration. He and his family have been residents of Virginia since early 2016. 

If you would like to reach Kenneth about the Astana facilities, human resources, internet technology, or on-site program logistics, please email kenneth@inayatiyya.org.

Hayden Hobby
Front Desk Manager

Hayden Hobby is a skilled communicator with extensive experience in serving others as well as a background in leadership and administration for religious organizations. Hayden will complete his Master of Arts in Spiritual and Social Transformation in the summer of 2024 which he will receive from Bethany Theological Seminary. In his free time, Hayden loves to read, write music and short stories, eat good food with friends and loved ones, and talk about deep spiritual and theology ideas.

If you have questions about upcoming events, joining our email list, and/or anything else related to the Inayatiyya, Hayden can be reached at our main email address, astana@inayatiyya.org. 

Programs

Isa Sophia Haberer
Associate Director of Programs

Isa Sophia supports the Inner School of the Inayatiyya North America & Oceania and serves as the Suluk Academy Administrator and Translations Coordinator. She is based in Spain and is fluent in English, German and Spanish.

Isa was part of the Zenith Institute team for three years, organizing the annual summer Sufi Camp in the Swiss Alps and in charge of administration and the bookstore. She was also part of the organization of the annual Inayatiyya Leaders Training in Suresnes, France for five years. She is a graduate of the Suluk Academy Europe Jabarsa class (2019). As part of her freelance work, she collaborates with Omid Safi at Illuminated Tours.

If you have questions about Suluk Academy, you can reach Isa at suluk@inayatiyya.org. For Suluk Europe, it is sulukeurope@inayatiyya.org. Also, if you have questions about initiation and about finding a guide within the Inayatiyya, Isa can assist you at guidance@inayatiyya.org. For any other questions related to the Inner School, please reach her at innerschool@inayatiyya.org.

Digital Media

Leon Yao
Web Development & Online Marketing Manager

Achraf Terrab
Audio Video Manager

Achraf “Eywaa” Maadaoui Terrab serves as Audio Video Manager where he manages audio-visual operations and ensures seamless technical support for events. With a versatile and passionate approach, he brings a rich background that spans various creative fields.

Achraf’s journey has unfolded through the realms of graphic design, web design, motion design, & video editing, where he has honed his skills to bring visual ideas to life. Beyond the digital canvas, his life has been imbued with the rhythm of dance. As a professional dancer involved in performances and competitions, and as a dance instructor guiding others through the world of playful movement at a weekly gathering.

He also works as an independent consultant for various organizations in the arts and spirituality sectors, focusing on enhancing visual identity and developing creative strategies to amplify his clients’ mission. Outside of his professional life, Achraf enjoys playing & composing music.

Achraf may be reached at audiovideo@inayatiyya.org.