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Sadaffe Abid

Founder & CEO of CIRCLE

Sadaffe Abid is the Founder & CEO of CIRCLE promoting women’s economic empowerment through digital literacy, technology and entrepreneurship. CIRCLE is recognised as a Microsoft for Startup for using technology to solve pressing challenges. Sadaffe is an advocate for women’s advancement, digital and financial inclusion. She is former COO & CEO of Kashf Foundation that she helped grow to 300,000 women clients disbursing $200 million in micro loans.

Sadaffe is Vice Chairperson Pakistan Microfinance Network and former board member National Bank of Pakistan where she chaired the Inclusive Development Committee. Her work is profiled in Nicholas Kristoff’s book, Half the Sky. Sadaffe completed her Masters at the Harvard Kennedy School, Advanced Management Program at INSEAD and B.A. at Mount Holyoke College. She is a recipient of the Mount Holyoke Alumni Achievement Award.

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Mehak Fatima

Finance Manager

Mehak Fatima is an ACMA qualified professional and a member of ICMAP with 9 years of experience in the field of finance. She currently serves as the Finance Manager of Circle Women Association, where she is also a core team member. With her expertise in management accounting and her commitment to empowering women, Mehak has become a respected leader in her organization. Her dedication to her profession and her passion for promoting gender equality make her a valuable asset to CIRCLE.

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Areen Shahid

Co-Manager She Loves Tech

Areen Shahid is the Co-Manager for the Pakistan Chapter of She Loves Tech. As a Co-Manager at She Loves Tech, Areen Shahid is a prominent advocate for women entrepreneurship in Pakistan. She has been selected to represent her country at three fully-funded International Leadership Events and Summits, and has worked for over 5 years in the developmental sector. Areen is passionate about empowering women in Pakistan, and works tirelessly to support them through organising and facilitating workshops, training, and competitions across the country.

With a Post-grad degree in Public Policy and Economics, she has gained valuable insights into the policy apparatus for the developmental sector. Her initiatives are focused on creating positive change and purposeful causes. Areen strongly believes that thoughtful conversations and social media are powerful tools for change in the contemporary world
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Fazli Hadi

Research Manager

Fazli Hadi is a passionate and accomplished researcher who is dedicated to advancing women entrepreneurship and promoting inclusivity in the informal labor force in Pakistan. As the Head of Research at CIRCLE Women Association, Hadi has implemented innovative models to improve the lives of women entrepreneurs and workers in the informal economy. With a post-graduate degree in Public Policy, Hadi has presented his research on national and international platforms, demonstrating his expertise in women entrepreneurship, informal economy, and ethical consumption. Hadi believes that research on the ground can inform policies to better support women entrepreneurs and workers in the informal economy, ultimately strengthening Pakistan’s economy. His contributions to the sector have been recognized and appreciated, and he continues to strive for a more supportive and inclusive environment for these groups in Pakistan.

Nabila Yaqoob

Manager Outreach Digital Literacy program

Nabila Yaqoob is working as the Manager Outreachfor the Digital Literacy Program. Her work is focused on empowering women from low income backgrounds by reaching out to them with the help of outreach organizations. She has 16 years of experience in the development sector, working on grassroots projects to uplift the underprivileged and underserved community. Nabila has worked with CIDA and ILO to empower women through entrepreneurship training and integrated support. She also has experience with the European Union to enhance the Livestock Services. She organized road shows across Punjab to encourage the investors to contribute to the development sectors under Punjab Board of Investment & Trade with the collaboration of Chamber of Commerce & Industry. Nabile has previously worked with Kashf Foundation for almost a decade.

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Zainab Riaz

Program Manager Tech Karo & Tech Hubs

Zainab is a social development practitioner with four years of experience working with The Citizens Foundation and the CIRCLE Women Association, dealing primarily with underserved communities in Pakistan. She graduated with a Bachelors in Social Sciences and Liberal Arts from the Institute of Business Administration, Karachi. Her motivation to work in the development sector stems from her commitment to improve the lives of the less privileged especially in Pakistani communities where access to resources is limited and inequality is widespread. She is a strong advocate for Women Empowerment and Quality Education for all which led her to work with organizations like TCF, doctHERs and a project by the British Council called Women Of the World Festival, the first of its kind in Pakistan. Zainab has a proven track record of effectively managing and implementing large-scale volunteer projects across Pakistan with TCF. Her journey with CIRCLE started in 2022 when she joined the Tech Karo team as Program Manager – a role that combined her passion for women empowerment and education. While working at CIRCLE, her vision is to drive projects that create measurable growth, maximize impact and improve the circumstances of the youth and women in Pakistan.