Shaheen graduated from Sunderland University in 2000 with a Business Studies Degree, and began her career in the housing sector working for the National Housing Federation and the Birmingham Social Housing Partnership supporting housing policy in the midlands region. Shaheen joined Sporting Equals in June 2008 and now heads up the research and project function working at both a strategic level to help influence policy and practice and at a local level supporting the regional infrastructure delivery arm. She has supported governing bodies to review approaches to BAME (Black Asian Minority Ethnic) engagement and has been instrumental in driving policy level change to help create positive action initiatives to address underrepresentation particularly around BAME women and girls. Shaheen has presented at a number of key events including health and wellbeing for older people, inclusive policy and practice forums, Public Health England expert panel roundtable and was a key speaker at the GOALS (Gathering of All Leaders in Sport) Forum in Doha during 2013 and 2014. She has created wider collaborations with a range of partner agencies including Age UK, Sports Governing Bodies & Equality and Human Rights Commission. Shaheen is also Special Advisor to the Muslim Sports Council and has worked on a number of consortium projects with Academic Institutions.