PITTSBURGH, PA, September 09, 2026 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Mahnaz M. Harrison has been recognized for her achievements in the nonprofit sector and her longstanding commitment to public health, international development and the advancement of women and girls.

Ms. Harrison is the founder, President and Chief Executive Officer of Last Mile4D, a nonprofit organization established in 2014. Based in Washington, D.C., with an operational presence in Kenya, the organization works to ensure that women and girls have access to information and resources related to health, safety and freedom from gender-based violence. Its programs currently place particular emphasis on preventing female genital mutilation throughout Kenya with the aim of growing to other areas of East Africa.

In leading Last Mile4D, Ms. Harrison works with a dedicated team that directly interacts with girls between the ages of 8 and 15 while also engaging parents, community leaders, elders and religious figures. Her responsibilities include developing government partnerships and securing the fundraising necessary to sustain the organization's programs and operations. Under her leadership, Last Mile4D has positively affected the lives of thousands of women and girls, an accomplishment she and others consider one of her most significant contributions.

In addition to her full-time responsibilities with Last Mile4D, Ms. Harrison served on the board of World Pulse from 2015 through 2023. In this capacity, she supported the organization's mission of empowering women worldwide through digital communication and technology. World Pulse is a global social impact network dedicated to creating a better world for women through technology and connection.

Ms. Harrison's commitment to international development is further reflected in her service as honorary consul of the country of Georgia for Pennsylvania from 2004 to 2013. During that time, she helped foster diplomatic relationships and promoted cultural exchanges. In addition, she received a Fulbright Scholarship, enabling her to focus on breast cancer prevention in the Republic of Georgia. The initiative produced a lasting impact, as it put Georgia in compliance with the World Health Organization standard and the start of a country wide cancer screening program for women. Ms. Harrison views both the Fulbright experience and the health policy work that followed as defining milestones in her professional life.

Prior to founding Last Mile4D, Ms. Harrison spent nearly two decades as a health administrator specializing in aging. This experience provided a valuable foundation for her subsequent work in public health advocacy, international development and nonprofit leadership.

Ms. Harrison earned a Bachelor of Science in Sociology from the University of Tehran in 1978 and a Master of International Public Policy in development economics and international development from the School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) at Johns Hopkins University in 2011. Her academic training has given her a broad understanding of social systems and global development challenges, knowledge that continues to inform her approach to advocacy, policy and organizational leadership.

Her professional commitments have been complemented by extensive civic and community service. Ms. Harrison chaired the Palliative Institute at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. She also served as president of a community theater in Pittsburgh and chaired a social justice board, reflecting her commitment to strengthening inclusive and engaged communities. Her civic participation has additionally included being elected as a judge of election in her community and also served for 18 months as a federal grand juror.

Ms. Harrison's accomplishments have earned her several honors, including the prestigious Fulbright Scholarship and the Community Relations Award for Advancing Intergroup Relations in Harmony in 2006. Her decision to dedicate herself to this area of work was profoundly influenced by her Fulbright experience in Georgia, where she witnessed the pervasive effects of gender inequality. This experience ultimately helped inspire her to establish Last Mile4D. The organization's focus on female genital mutilation emerged after she heard firsthand accounts of domestic abuse and also the lifelong health, economic and emotional harm that comes from Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).

Born in Tehran, Iran Ms. Harrison emigrated from Iran and eventually settled in Pittsburgh, a city she proudly considers home, while maintaining a second residence in Washington, D.C. Looking to the future, she plans to strengthen the long-term sustainability of Last Mile4D and expand its reach throughout Kenya and East Africa by building on the organization's existing programs in Kenya. She anticipates eventually transitioning day-to-day leadership to a successor team while continuing to serve as an advocate and fundraiser, helping position the organization for its next level of leadership, impact, and growth. This transition will also allow her to devote greater time to personal reflection and writing.

Throughout her career, Ms. Harrison has emphasized that personal and professional growth is an ongoing process, shaped by learning from others and listening carefully to their experiences. She credits many of the principles that have guided her life to lessons instilled by her late father during her upbringing in Iran, particularly the importance of hard work, responsibility and authenticity. These values continue to shape her approach to leadership and service, reflecting what she describes as the balance between being a philanthropist and advocate at heart and a businesswoman in mind.

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