Corporate Panel Discussion: Sustainable Business models: A paradigm shift in Uncertain times (EMEC)
Fatima Arshad (Moderator)
Head of Sustainability and Corporate Communications, Unilever
Fatima Arshad heads Sustainable Business and Communications at Unilever Pakistan. A communications professional through and through, Fatima has close to 10 years of experience in sustainability and inclusive business development.
She is a strong advocate of diversity and inclusion spearheading inspiring initiatives to drive equity at the workplace. As a sustainability lead, enjoys crafting business models that drive growth whilst creating social value. In her free time, she enjoys reading and staying updated with the metaverse.
Mr. Amir Shehzad
Executive Director, Unity Foods
With an extensive career spanning over 29+ years, Mr. Amir Shehzad is a result-oriented leader renowned for his exceptional performance in dynamic and rapidly evolving organizations. His professional journey primarily revolves around the realms of Investment Banking and Capital Markets, where he has consistently excelled.
Mr. Shehzad has held senior leadership positions at esteemed institutions such as National Bank, UBL, and Askari Bank Limited. In these roles, he has played a pivotal part in shaping and executing comprehensive business strategies that have contributed to the growth and success of these organizations.
Educated at Cornell University, USA, where he completed the Executive Leadership Program, and Arizona State University, USA, where he graduated cum-laude with a degree in Finance, Mr. Shehzad brings a robust academic foundation to his wealth of practical experience.
His association with Unity Foods since 2018 has been instrumental in formulating both long-term and short-term business and investment strategies for the company. Furthermore, Mr. Shehzad adeptly manages high-level relationships with a diverse array of stakeholders, including banks and institutional investors, counting the Asian Development Bank, International Finance Corporation, FMO: Dutch Entrepreneurial Development Bank, among others, among his notable affiliations.
Mr. Sami Wahid
Managing Director, Mondelez Pakistan
As a specialist in the snack and beverage industry, Sami provides over 18 years of expertise in the domains of Marketing, Sales, Strategy & General Management. His work comprises a holistic take on setting the strategic direction and managing commercial operations of the businesses. Sami has a lengthy history with Mondelēz International, starting back in 2015. Sami’s Mondelez career has spanned multiple markets including Middle East, North Africa & Pakistan (MENAP) where he has led critical assignments that helped generate a positive momentum for the organization.
Prior to becoming the Managing Director for Mondelēz Pakistan, Sami served as the Strategy Lead for MENAP, guiding the organization and reforming it through the pandemic. He has had a remarkable track record for driving transformational growth, creating an innovative culture while driving brand and business success.
Since Sami’s appointment as the Managing Director for Mondelēz Pakistan, he has initiated multiple projects to identify and activate growth and value creation opportunities. He has also helped escalate the sustainability agenda to ensure that the organization inspires positive impact on the environment and society. Sami is particularly passionate about the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and believes in driving initiatives that create a meaningful impact for the community at large.
Mr. Arif Hussain Nomani
Sr. General Manager HR, Ismail Industries
As a seasoned HR professional with over 20 years of experience, Mr. Arif Hussain is passionate about driving human excellence in the organization and seeing business thrive as people develop. He holds a PMP certification, a CIPD chartered membership, and a master’s degree in professional accountancy, which equip him with the skills and knowledge to manage complex and diverse HR projects and initiatives.Currently, Mr. Arif is the Group Sr. General Manager HR & Admin at Ismail Industries, where he oversees the people strategy for five group companies, covering various aspects of recruitment, manpower planning, talent management, and job analysis and evaluation. He has successfully implemented several initiatives and projects to enhance the employee experience, engagement, and retention, as well as to align the HR policies and practices with the business goals and values. He has also leveraged the exposure to leading transformational change, to lead and support cross-functional teams and to foster a culture of innovation and collaboration. He is always keen to learn new skills and to explore new challenges and opportunities in the HR field.
Ms Asma Faraz
Entrepreneur, HOD Art & Design Department, MITE
Asma Faraz, is working as a Professor / Head of the department faculty of art and design at MITE. Her 30-years of academic and industry experience as a head at various universities and textile industries have impressed upon her the importance of real-world skills and ideas in the classrooms.
She has experience of working at various Textile and Fashion related organizations as a textile designer. She possesses a significant knowledge of historical art and textile influences. She has a remarkable ability to draw or paint in different styles and media. She loves to work with different types of materials, recycling, and design interventions. Ms Asma has Participated in various international exhibitions and works closely with international artists/stylists. She encourages her students to explore how design concepts in general are changing our sense of living and place and how they can be integrated into and ultimately benefit our environment.
Mr. Humayun Akhlaq
Country President, Schneider Electric
Before joining Schneider Electric Pakistan as the Country President in 2020, Humayun Akhlaq has served as Country Leader at IBM. Prior to that he has worked at Cisco Systems, Microsoft Corporation Pakistan, Intel Corporation Pakistan and 3M Pakistan (Pvt.) Limited in senior management positions. He also serves as the Vice President of the Management Association of Pakistan.
In his role at Schneider Electric Pakistan, Humayun develops strategy and understands the requirements of present and next generation Energy Management and Industrial Automation.
Mr. Abrar Ahmed Khan
CEO & Founder, TruFocus Consulting
In the dynamic arena where strategy meets technology, Abrar Ahmad Khan emerges as a beacon of expertise, driving the wheels of transformation through his leadership at TruFocus Consulting. As the CEO and founder of this leading Boutique consulting firm, he has sculpted a path to success by specializing in Strategy and Marketing solutions, not only in his home country of Pakistan but also across the diverse landscapes of the Middle East.
Mr. Abrar has served as the Chief Marketing Officer and Director of Marketing for prestigious entities like the Beaconhouse Group, National Foods Ltd., and Gas & Oil Pakistan. But his influence doesn’t stop there. He has left an indelible mark on the global stage, having dedicated significant chapters of his corporate career to pioneering multinationals such as Nestle and Panasonic. His footprint can be traced across three distinct Nestle Markets: Pakistan, KSA, and the dynamic Dubai Middle East HQ.
With an MBA from IoBM underpinning his academic prowess, Abrar’s commitment to education and collaboration is evident in his roles beyond the boardroom. He extends his influence as the General Secretary of the Iobm Alumni Association, a visiting faculty member, and a distinguished Board member of the Industry Academia & Leadership Advisory Council. It’s worth mentioning that his proficiency extends even further as a certified LEAN Six Sigma Black Belt professional, showcasing his dedication to efficiency and excellence.
Rabia Azfar Nizami
She is Country Head-Jaffer Consulting since 2019 and also Parliamentarian, Member Provincial Assembly Sindh. She has also worked with Microsoft and Nokia Life.
She has multi discipline experience across Sales, Operations and Service Delivery in the IT and Telecom Industry along with the exposure of Public Sector because of my engagement in Education related projects in non-profit setup and as MPA in Sindh.
She strongly believes that every individual irrespective of the gender has a right to reach to their full potential. As a service to the community; her ambition is to facilitate removal of those barriers that come in the way of girls and boys from under privileged segments of society.
Rabia is committed to do the advocacy to strengthen Education System especially for girls as they should be the center of priority for nation to move to prosperity. This cannot be achieved without a strong commitment and requires lots of funds to build sustainable education system.