Areen Shahid

Leading advocate for women’s empowerment, driving systemic change and innovation

Areen Shahid is a prominent leader and advocate for women’s empowerment in Pakistan. With her extensive experience in government and nonprofit sectors, she has become a top voice championing systemic change, gender equality, and the inclusion of women in leadership roles. Areen is currently serving as a Consultant at the Women Development Department Punjab, where she is leading high-impact initiatives to position the department as a key driver of women’s empowerment in the region. She also holds the role of Innovation and Strategy Lead at CIRCLE Women Association, where she fosters innovation and drives strategic partnerships to further women’s participation in technology and entrepreneurship.

In addition to her leadership roles, Areen has a proven track record of successfully managing impactful programs like She Loves Tech in Pakistan, where she focuses on increasing women’s involvement in the tech industry. She is also a former Lahore Manager at Google, a Cultural Ambassador to the U.S. for the U.S. Department of State and the founder of The Baskets, a social enterprise focused on personalized gifting. Her diverse experience spans across project management, stakeholder engagement, organizational leadership, and gender-focused advocacy.

Key Areas Covered in Areen Shahid’s Presentations and Sessions:
1. Women’s Empowerment & Leadership Development:
  Areen’s sessions delve deep into the importance of creating spaces for women in leadership and decision-making roles. Drawing on her experience in both the public and private sectors, she shares strategies for breaking down barriers to female leadership and provides actionable steps to foster an environment where women can thrive.

2. Systemic Change for Gender Equality:
  Areen offers insights into the ongoing gender gaps in Pakistan and globally, and shares key strategies for tackling systemic inequality. She discusses the necessity of accelerating actions to achieve gender parity, drawing from her work at the Women Development Department Punjab and other leadership initiatives aimed at addressing gender biases in both the workplace and society at large.

3. Innovation & Entrepreneurship:
  With her leadership role at CIRCLE Women Association and her work on She Loves Tech, Areen discusses how women can play a pivotal role in driving innovation and entrepreneurship. Her presentations include case studies and best practices for fostering women’s participation in emerging industries like technology, with a focus on creating inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystems.

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