Women for Board Allies Program
Purpose
Diversity Hub-HR Metrics is leading the “Women for Board Allies” initiative. It focuses on encouraging women to aspire for board roles and impart a sense of what it takes to get there. It is distinct from Directors Training Program (DTP), which focuses on the knowledge and skills for member board of directors. Our mission is to empower women by raising awareness regarding social and economic benefits of gender diversity at board level, identify high potential women, feature them in the Women Leaders Directory, connect and refer them for board director and leadership role.
Woman For Board Allies Steering Committee
Maheen Rahman
Chairperson Steering Committee, Women for Board Allies
Zaffar A. Khan
Former CEO Engro Corporation
Musharaf Hai
Former CEO Unilever & L'Oréal
Moneeza Usman Butt
Partner KPMG Taseer Hadi & Co.
Saad Aaman Ullah Khan
Chairman of Public Interest Law Association of Pakistan
Maleeha Mimi Bangash
CEOBAJO Digital Ventures
Fatima Asad-Said
CEO Abacus Consulting
Jehan Ara
CEO Katalyst Labs
Zahid Mubarik
CEO HR Metrics
Goals
Our purpose is to provide a platform for creating awareness, promoting advocacy, and mentoring women leaders to achieve Board roles. The goals are:
To engage, steer and develop C-Suite women leaders through a recognised instituted platform
To identify high quality women leaders with functional expertise combined with a wide range of experience to merit board director roles
To encourage advocacy and reform on gender parity across relevant policy making institutions
To create alliances and collaborate with public/private institutions to steer change.
To develop a network for coaching, mentoring and supporting potential women leaders.
Directory of Women Leaders for Board
During the past 4 years, HR Metrics has published 4 directories of Women Leaders for Board comprising of 130 women. The Directory provides standard and comparable data pertaining to the credentials of women who are either already members of a board and looking for new opportunities or not members of a board but are in top management and seeking a board director role. The Directory offers opportunities for women leaders to project their professional credentials, networking, find mentoring, and pursue career development beyond.
Eligibility Criteria for Women Directory
Possess professional skills relating to leadership, governance, profit and loss responsibility, board exposure, management experience, and mentoring.
- Skills can include but are not limited to specialty experiences like ESG, e-commerce, digital, technology, fintech, human resources, accounts, audit, risk, legal, supply chain, sales, and marketing.
- Senior women with professional credentials from all sectors of business, industry, academia, and civil society having at least 15 years of work experience.
- Women already serving in C-Suite roles and/or on boards, and Pakistani women having international experience.
Registration & Approval Process
- Call for Submissions (April 1 – April 30, 2025)
HR Metrics invites women leaders to register on the e-portal. - Registration & Profile Completion (April 1 – June 30, 2025)
Register as a candidate on the e-portal.
Complete all 9 sections of your profile and submit for review. - Review & Approval (Ongoing)
- Admin Review (within 5 working days): Incomplete profiles will be sent back for updates.
- Steering Committee Review (within 10 working days): Final approval after admin clearance.
- Publishing & Live Profiles (Rolling Basis)
Approved profiles are published in the Directory and made live on the e-portal.
Accessible to corporate secretaries and board decision-makers seeking diverse leadership.
How to Get Involved?
Already a Member?
If you’re a member of WLB directory. Click Here to Sign In
Corporate Member?
If you represent a corporate board and want access to the directory. Click Here to Sign In
Interested in Joining?
If you're a potential candidate for the WLB Directory, Click Here to Sign Up.
If you are a corporate secretary or member, Click Here to Sign Up.
Review Profiles
Discover the talents, skills, and experiences of our community members.
Saman Mazhar
Sr. Organizational Development Consultant, Funcilitator & Performance CoachFunverks Global Management Consultancy
Ms.Shamaila Kiran
Unit Head SME and Commercial BankingSamba Bank Limited; Subsidiary of Saudi National Bank
Jahanara Sajjad Ahmad
Executive Director Corporate Governance and Group Financial AdvisorBibojee Services ( Pvt) Ltd
Khola Saeed Khan
Divisional Head-Consumer, Agri & Fintech - Risk Management GroupThe Bank of Punjab
Seema Jaffer
CEO & Human Rights ExpertBond Advertising (Pvt) Ltd & Media Expert National Commission for Human Rights
Dr. Sadia Nadeem
Professor, Dean (Faculty of Management Sciences), Head FAST School of Management IslamabadFAST School of Management, NUCES_FAST, Islamabad
Maleeha Mimi Bangash
CEO BAJO Digital Ventures/ Consultant IFC -International Finance Corporation (World Bank Group)IFC-International Finance Corporation (World Bank Group) Singapore – East Asia and Pacific
Prof. Dr. Fakhara Rizwan
Company Secretary and Chief Legal & Corporate AffairsCompany Pakistan Stock Exchange Limited
Lalarukh Hussain Shaikh
Legal and Compliance Director & Company SecretaryWafi Energy Pakistan Limited (Formerly Shell Pakistan Limited)
Saira Nasir
Managing Partner - Board and GovernanceTHK Associates (Private) Limited/Executive Consultant
Maria Tahir
Head of Legal & Compliance, Data protection Officer, Lead DEI, Director for Habib Metro Pvt Limited and Starfarm PvtMetro Pakistan Pvt Limited
Mehvish Muneera Ismail
Head of Legal & Company Secretary - Executive Vice PresidentHabib Metropolitan Bank Ltd.
Khursheed Kotwal
CEO at Aasman International LimitedThe Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan
Chairperson's Message
Maheen Rahman
Chairperson Steering Committee
Women for Board Allies
As the Chairperson of the Steering Committee for the Women Leaders for Board Directory, I am honored to lead this impactful initiative that champions the inclusion of women in leadership roles. The Women for Board Allies Program continues to be a transformative platform, empowering women leaders to break barriers and contribute significantly to Pakistan's governance and corporate sectors.
With the Women Leaders for Board Directory, we celebrate the diverse expertise, achievements, and leadership of exceptional women, challenging outdated perceptions and inspiring a new era of confidence and empowerment. This year, we are proud to introduce our newly launched e-portal, designed to seamlessly connect women leaders with organizations seeking diversity, innovation, and excellence at the highest levels.
Our commitment remains steadfast in amplifying women's voices and ensuring their representation in key decision-making spaces. We invite organizations and leaders who share our passion for diversity to collaborate with us. Together, we can create opportunities, drive systemic change, and pave the way for women to thrive in leadership roles across corporate and governance landscapes.
The Women Leaders for Board Directory and e-portal are more than just milestones; they are a testament to our dedication to building a future where women are at the forefront of innovation, leadership, and sustainable progress.
Sponsors
