Power Couple | Up Close With the Khans
Omar and Maha Khan - Photo By Sheikh Najam
Last spring, dozens of Houston’s philanthropic circle flitted and buzzed in the Post Oak Hotel, patiently anticipating the start of the Developments in Literacy 20th Anniversary Grand Gala. The Houston chapter President of this national charity, Maha Rasheed Saeed Khan, and the Chapter board worked tirelessly to see this passion brought to life.
Developments in Literacy (DIL) is a nation-wide charity that raises money to educate and empower underprivileged students – especially girls – living in Pakistan. Mrs. Khan has been involved with the charity for almost 17 years. Her husband, Omar Khan, could not be more proud of his hardworking wife. “That night, DIL received three prestigious honors: a Proclamation from the Mayor of Houston, Congressional Achievement from Congressman Al Green, and a beautiful letter of commendation from Governor Greg Abbott and First Lady Cecilia Abbott.”
Mrs. Khan graciously recalls how she began her involvement with DIL. “A dear family friend started the chapter here in Houston, and we now have 124 schools in Pakistan and about 25,000 students being educated. We’ve grown so much with the help of social media and the Houston chapter has received city and national recognition. It’s incredible.”
Maha and her husband Omar, who leads a flourishing career in wealth management at Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Group, share a special connection to DIL as both of their families hail from Pakistan. “I was Born in Wisconsin and raised in Texas and my husband has been here since the early 90’s. But most of our families are still living in Pakistan.”
The couple, who have two children, frequently travel to Pakistan. “It’s like a second home to us – we are entrenched in the society there. My kids speak the language. It’s who we are.”
A mutual love for Pakistan and enriching their community are only two of the many reasons why Maha and Omar make such a sweet and dedicated power couple in the Houston community.
In addition to being involved with DIL, both are involved in Historical Texas Treasures, a program founded by close family friend Joanne King Herring that seeks to equip future generations of Texans for success in entrepreneurship. Maha served as one of the Chairmen and supported the program’s 2017 Super Bowl party, “The Extravaganza of Stars.”
The Khans are celebrating 22 years of marriage in November 2018, and I wanted to know, what’s their secret? “It’s a lot of give and take – compromise,” says Mrs. Khan.
“Our marriage was basically arranged. Our families have known each other for 3 generations. Being the son of a decorated General and Chairman of many national industries, I wasn’t sure why my husband wanted to live in America. He has a great life in Pakistan, but he wanted to do things on his own merit and I really admired that.”
Omar lovingly discloses what he truly loves most about his wife. “I admire her graceful, elegant, kind and humble demeanor always treating every person she meets with the utmost respect. What very few people know about Maha is that she quietly gives, and that her reach is far and wide. You will hardly hear her speak of all of the organizations or take credit for people she has helped, because to her, it’s the cause that should be given the attention, not her.”
So where can the Khan family be spotted on those (albeit, rare) days when the social calendar experiences a lull?
“We love River Oaks District. We’ll go to Toulouse, which is both my son and daughter’s favorite spot. We’ll see a movie at iPic. We also just love spending down time in our home,” says Maha.
And when it comes to Maha’s personal style?
“My style tends to be one of two extremes. I’m either super casual with yoga pants, or I get dressed up and go out. I like to mix it up with some Pakistani panache.”
Athleisure and nods to cultural roots? I can get behind that.
