Junaid is most proud about helping expectant Pakistani women facing malnutrition by supplying $5 million worth of multiple micronutrient supplements, or MMS.

“Every woman deserves a healthy pregnancy,” Ansir Junaid said. “And every child deserves a healthy start, no matter where they are in the world.”

Unlike current practices in the region distributing iron and folic acid, which contain only two vitamins and minerals, MMS provides 15. The foundation’s work is done in conjunction with UNICEF and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, with the goal to make this the gold standard in Pakistan.

“I was born and raised in Pakistan, and I have personally witnessed the negative effect of women and children because of the poverty,” added Junaid.

Longtime Clevelanders, Junaid and wife Sufia, formed the foundation to focus their giving.

“We also wanted to engage with world-class technical advice so that our giving has a greater impact,” said Sufia Junaid, a foundation trustee.

“As international as we aspire to be, we will always have an unwavering focus here and an investment in Cleveland,” explained the Junaid Family Foundation’s Executive Director, Jaclyn Range.

That includes supporting a Greater Cleveland Food Bank program connecting pregnant women with healthy food. It also supports three organizations, including Neighborhood Family Practice, which all help refugees resettle in Northeast Ohio.

“They are helping refugees with healthcare, job placement, language assistance, food assistance, applying for benefits, anything you can name,” explained Julie Novario, Program Officer for the Junaid Family Foundation.

Junaid’s mission was on display as a sponsor of this summer’s Pan American Games, which brought over 4,000 athletes from 50 countries to Cleveland.

“Sports and competition builds camaraderie. And they bring inclusivity. They bring peace in the world,” Ansir Junaid said. “… Leaving the world better than we found it is a priceless gift.”