Leadership and Community
Learn more about The Friends of Pakistan’s leadership and network members who have allowed us to publicly share their endorsements.
Our ultimate vision is an engaging community of global and local Pakistan networks. We are not just Pakistanis, diaspora, or foreigners; not just wealthy or others; and not just business, NGO, or government leaders.
If you are interested in taking a more active role in helping the Friends of Pakistan grow, please contact us.
Leadership
In the full spirit of effectiveness, we are participatory decision makers “trusting those closest to the challenge.” At this stage of our evolution, decision making is spearheaded by a core group of co-founders and a small group of trusted, experienced advisors.
Co-Founder, Lead Advisor
San Francisco Bay Area, USA & Karachi, Pakistan
Recently departed as the Managing Director of Strategy and Learning at the Skoll Foundation to lead this work. He is an international development and impact investment professional with over two decades of experience advising governments, philanthropies, investors, and social enterprises on scaling high-impact solutions across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. His career spans leadership roles at the World Bank, Dalberg Advisors, as well as research with Nobel Laureate Professor Michael Kremer, giving him deep expertise in strategy, philanthropy, and the deployment of catalytic capital. Nadir is well positioned to champion evidence-driven, scalable social innovations across emerging markets.
Nadir Shams
Co-Founder & Advisor
San Francisco Bay Area, USA
As Senior Investment Principal at the Mulago Foundation, she identifies and backs high-impact organizations with the potential to improve millions of lives. She brings a rare combination of investment judgment, strategic consulting, and global development expertise, having previously advised governments, foundations, and private-sector leaders at Dalberg Advisors, Deloitte Consulting and the innovation firm Idea Couture. A graduate of Georgetown University and the University of California, Berkeley Haas School of Business, Sania is widely recognized for helping scale evidence-driven social innovations across emerging markets.
Sarah Farooq
Sania Salman
Co-Founder & Advisor
Toronto, Canada
As Associate Director of the Global Fellows Program at Acumen, she helps develop the next generation of social impact leaders across the world. Previously, she co-founded and scaled social enterprises in Pakistan, including serving as Chief Operating Officer of Taleemabad, helping expand its reach to millions of children through technology-enabled education. As an Acumen Pakistan Fellow herself, Sarah combines firsthand entrepreneurial experience with global expertise in leadership development and systems change. She is passionate about unlocking the potential of Pakistan's next generation of changemakers.
Co-Founder & Advisor
London, United Kingdom
As Head of Strategic Projects and Chief of Staff at 100x Impact at the London School of Economics, she works at the intersection of philanthropy, impact investing, and systems change, helping social ventures build the partnerships and financing needed to reach hundreds of millions of people. Her career spans strategic leadership, global convening, and scaling evidence-based solutions across education, health, and women's empowerment. Shanzeh brings a rare ability to connect world-class institutions with high-potential leaders and ideas from Pakistan.
Shanzeh Mahmood
Co-Founder & Advisor
Lahore, Pakistan
Co-founder of Amal Academy, one of Pakistan's leading career readiness organizations. Ali is widely recognized for building scalable education and employment solutions that bridge the gap between talent and opportunity. Through innovative partnerships with institutions including Stanford University and Acumen, Amal has equipped thousands of young Pakistanis with the skills needed to thrive in the modern workforce. Ali is widely recognized for building scalable education and employment solutions that bridge the gap between talent and opportunity. His experience growing a nationally recognized social enterprise provides invaluable insight into what it takes to scale impact.
Ali Siddiq
Core Advisor
Islamabad, Pakistan
Founder and CEO of Taleemabad, one of Pakistan's most influential education technology organizations. Beginning as a teacher in underserved communities, he has built a platform that delivers high-quality learning to millions of children through digital content and partnerships with government. His leadership has earned international recognition, including being named a Queen's Young Leader, receiving the WISE Award for Education, and the Global Citizen Waislitz Award.
Haroon Yasin
Core Advisor
London, United Kingdom
A leader at Acumen, where she works to identify, support, and strengthen entrepreneurs tackling some of the world's toughest development challenges. With experience spanning impact investing, venture philanthropy, and organizational growth, she has helped evaluate and support high-potential leaders across South Asia. Zoya brings deep expertise in what it takes for organizations to move from promising ideas to scalable, investment-ready solutions. She is committed to strengthening Pakistan's social innovation ecosystem through thoughtful capital and long-term partnership.
Zoya Shabir Siddiqui
Core Advisor
Oxford, United Kingdom
A researcher at the University of Oxford, where his work focuses on global development, public policy, and improving outcomes in low- and middle-income countries. His career combines rigorous academic research with practical engagement alongside governments, philanthropies, and international organizations. Abrar brings evidence, analytical rigor, and a long-term systems perspective to the Friends of Pakistan's work. He is passionate about ensuring that research informs better decisions and greater investment in scalable solutions.
Abrar Chaudhry
Core Advisor
Mauritius
One of the world's leading experts on Pakistan's education system, philanthropy, and development policy. She has held leadership roles with the United States Institute of Peace, USAID, and the U.S. Senate, and as a Senior Advisor to The Citizens Foundation (TCF). A graduate of Harvard Kennedy School and Georgetown University, Nadia is the author of the influential report Pakistan's Education Crisis: The Real Story, and her research and commentary have appeared in The New York Times, Foreign Policy, Devex, and Dawn. She brings unparalleled expertise in connecting evidence, policy, and philanthropy to expand opportunity for millions of Pakistanis.
Nadia Naviwala
Our Community
Our network is at 300+ and growing. Thank you to those members that allow us to publicize your endorsement.
(NB: A organization name do not necessarily constitute an entity endorsement)