Mahnaz Akbari

Mahnaz Akbari is a former commander of the first Female Tactical Platoon (FTP) in Afghanistan. From 2011 to 2021, she served alongside Afghan and US special forces, participating in missions that focused on gathering intelligence and ensuring cultural sensitivity during military operations. After the fall of Afghanistan, she relocated to the United States and dedicated herself to advocating for the members of the FTPs. She is among the founders of NXT Mission, an organization that supports former FTP members and helps them find new opportunities.