Can you tell us a little about your career path and the key milestones along the way?
I’ve had an interesting career path which has definitely not been linear! I began work at 13 — offering tuitions, teaching, and supporting my mother’s plants venture — an experience that shaped my entrepreneurial instinct. During my undergraduate studies at Webster University (2002–2005) and graduate studies at the Graduate Institute (2005–2007), I worked at organisations like the Geneva Centre for Security Policy, Small Arms Survey, Aga Khan Foundation, International Organization for Migration, Webster University and École et Quartier. My work spanned research, teaching, content curation, organising conferences and study trips.
Drawn to nascent institutions, I helped establish a liberal arts and sciences university, a vocational institution, and a technology and entrepreneurship institute in Pakistan. I also worked on large-scale development initiatives — a USD 45 million governance project and a USD 200 million financial inclusion organisation (2008–2017).
In 2017, I took a leap of faith and founded Epiphany in Pakistan and expanded it to the UAE in 2024, to build entrepreneurship ecosystems and nurture talent. We have supported 140+ startups, trained 1,000+ founders, and organised 225+ programmes and events. Our work
includes a Seed Fund with the World Bank, a nationwide digital training programme with Pakistan’s Ministry of Information Technology and Telecom, and a gamified learning platform for vaccinators with UNICEF. I also co-founded an award-winning climate change campaign and launched several women-focused initiatives.
What motivates you in your daily work, and how did your studies at the Institute feed this motivation?
Since 2008, I’ve been guided by yohsin, a belief that the worth of every human being is in the good they do. This shapes how I approach life and work. I design impactful programmes and partnerships across entrepreneurship, tech, and development. I also support founders and leaders in finding clarity and direction in their work. Currently, I am working towards becoming a certified International Coaching Federation (ICF) Level 1 Coach focused on transformational coaching. Coaching feels like a natural extension of my work — creating space for reflection, growth, and intentional action.
The Institute shaped my ability to operate at different levels — both systemic, large-scale level and bespoke, individual level. It pushed me to think critically, stay curious, and look at problems in a broader context, while also teaching me to express ideas with confidence and respect.
What advice would you give to current Institute students for their future careers?
Be open to non-linear paths. Much of what shapes you won’t come from a fixed plan — it comes from saying yes to things that feel meaningful at the time. Take time to understand yourself — your values, strengths, and what drives you. That clarity will guide your decisions. Build things when you can. You learn far more by doing than waiting to feel ready. Think about contribution early — what are you adding? Who are you helping? And what kind of work feels worth doing? That’s a strong compass.
This article was published in Globe #37, the Graduate Institute Review.
