I lead governance and innovation initiatives for the Government of Pakistan as Consultant, Governance and Innovation at the Ministry of Planning. My team and I are developing a Governance Index for the country at our Governance Innovation Lab alonside various other initiatives ranging from uplifting the poorest districts (with UNDP), organizing an international Governance Forum and creating more avenues to boost the creative economy.

Additionally, I work with the US nonprofit Civic Health Project to adapt AI for prosocial civic norms setting on social media.

I am an experienced researcher, educator, and innovator with a passion for empowering young professionals, fostering creative thinking, and preparing communities for the future of work.

In my scholarly career, I hold a doctorate with research focusing on the global publishing industry’s representation of human rights in the Global South, with an emphasis on empathy and South Asia. I am currently developing this work into a book with a university press. My work involved survey design, interviews, and analysis of human rights instruments like the UDHR and CEDAW. I hold degrees from Columbia University, where I conducted original macroeconomic research on female labor force participation in Pakistan, and from the University of Cambridge, where I was awarded the prestigious Chevening and Cambridge Trust scholarships. My book "Empathy Industry" is set to be published by a university press in the UK.

As a core member of Global Shapers Islamabad, I pioneered, have led, and currently advise on the Leaders of the Future Bootcamp, which is now in its sixth successful year. This project has impacted hundreds of young professionals, offering critical skillsbuilding programs in areas like critical thinking, emotional intelligence and complex problem-solving. This year, we’re focusing on skillsbuilding in the era of Artificial Intelligence. In recognition of my work, I was awarded the Top 4 Young Alumni Award by Lucy Cavendish College, University of Cambridge, in 2022. Through partnerships with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the British Council, I have secured funding and led programming that engaged policymakers, academics, and industry professionals to prepare youth for a rapidly evolving job market. Additionally, over the years, I have facilitated other key projects for Global Shapers, including Muskaan, Treelionaire, and certain mental health initiatives. I also spoke at the Pakistan-India COVID-19 webinar and gave an invited talk on female labor force participation in Pakistan at Shape South Asia in Sri Lanka in 2019. I previously led communications and social media for the hub and continue to provide strategic advice to newer leadership, helping with interviews and onboarding to strengthen our community.

My work has garnered international acclaim, including in public policy and international development. I have worked extensively in the sector, managing projects and consulting for organizations such as the British High Commission, British Council, and NGOs like the Jinnah Institute (with Senator Sherry Rehman) and Global Shapers. I have led research projects analyzing climate change and youth issues in South Asia, as well as contributing to various projects on geopolitical security in South Asia.

As an educator, I have developed and delivered course materials internationally, teaching class sizes ranging from 6 to 350 students. I have lectured at institutions such as the University of York and Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS). My academic research has been widely published in peer-reviewed journals, including the Journal of Postcolonial Writing and Postcolonial Text, demonstrating my expertise in textual analysis, cultural studies, and geopolitical issues.

In addition to my academic work, my career as a writer and creative thinker has given me unique insight into how AI is transforming creative industries. My public-facing writing has appeared in The New Yorker, The Atlantic, and other international publications, exploring the intersection of technology, human rights, and cultural shifts. To understand AI better, I have done part-time remote work fact-checking and evaluating emerging AI technologies in California.

I am also the co-founder of SAGE: Solutions for a New Age, a startup that helps students and young professionals navigate challenges in education, equity, and the future of work. I continue to advise on developing future leaders while staying engaged in international conversations on economic justice, gender equality, and sustainable development.

You can learn more about my work at www.sauleha.com.