Asif Mahmood is a practicing pulmonologist and internal medicine physician with over 20 years of experience treating patients and helping them overcome health challenges, inspired by his parents' emphasis on service to others. He has been politically active, serving as a delegate to the Democratic National Conventions from 2008 to 2016 and running as the Democratic nominee for California's 40th Congressional District in both 2018 and 2022 elections. Mahmood is also a philanthropist who has led advocacy efforts for human rights campaigns centered on South Asia, with a background in interfaith dialogue. He currently serves as a USCIRF Commissioner, appointed by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.