Board of Directors
Mansoor Ahmad
Chairperson
Mansoor Ahmad
Mansoor Ahmad is a seasoned entrepreneur and a founding partner of Zeitgeist, one of Pakistan’s leading contemporary clothing brands. With a strong background in design and business, he has played a pivotal role in building and scaling creative and commercial ventures across the country.
A graduate of the National College of Arts (NCA), he brings a distinctive blend of artistic insight and strategic leadership to the board. Over the years, he has successfully managed and expanded multiple businesses across diverse sectors, earning a reputation for innovation, discipline, and long-term vision.
In addition to his commercial expertise, Mr. Ahmad has over a decade of experience participating in and chairing not-for-profit organizations, where he has contributed to governance, strategic direction, and institutional strengthening.
Sajid Maruf Khan
Director
Sajid Maruf Khan
Sajid Maruf Khan is a senior finance and governance professional with over 30 years of experience in financial management, institutional oversight, and organizational governance across the development, academic, and non-profit sectors.
He brings deep expertise in strategic finance, risk management, internal controls, and donor compliance, having overseen programs funded by international partners including USAID, DFID, World Bank, UNDP, and OSF.
Sajid has held leadership roles at prominent institutions, including long-term senior management positions at the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), Institute of Development and Economic Alternatives (IDEAS), Tintash Group of Companies, and Consortium for Development Policy Research (CDPR).
A Fellow Chartered Certified Accountant (FCCA) and Fellow Public Finance Accountant (FPFA), Sajid is widely respected for strengthening governance frameworks, improving financial transparency, and supporting boards in effective decision-making and fiduciary oversight. He currently serves on the governing bodies of several development and social sector organizations.
Zara Salman Bandial
Director
Zara Salman Bandial
Zara Salman Bandial is an economist and public policy expert with over a decade’s professional experience working with donor organizations as well as policymakers at the highest levels.
She has extensive knowledge and experience in conducting research across sectors, particularly in the areas of industry and trade, along with management experience in developing effective research teams, designing and implementing projects, coordinating across multiple partners, and strategic relationship building.
She holds an MSc in Development Studies from the London School of Economics (LSE), UK, and completed her BSc (Hon) in Economics from the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS).
Since 2013, Ms. Zara has been associated with the Consortium for Development Policy Research (CDPR), an independent think tank, where she currently serves as the CEO. She also serves as an independent director for the Millat Group of Companies.
Saima Noreen
Director & CEO
Saima Noreen
Saima Noreen is an academic and development professional with over 15 years of experience in educational leadership and gender and women’s studies. Currently, she serves as the Co-Founder and CEO of the Institute of Lifelong Learning and Development (ILLD) and is an adjunct faculty at Government College University (GCU), Lahore.
Her extensive leadership background includes serving as Deputy Director (Academics) at the University of Home Economics (UHE). Previously, as Head of the Gender Studies Department at Government Fatima Jinnah College, she led the department offering a bachelor’s program in Gender Studies and had been an ex officio member for numerous institutional and external committees.
Deeply committed to social equity, she volunteered for over a decade as Director of Education & Policy at the Aalam Bibi Foundation and continues this mission as a member of the Board of Advisors for the Zarina Shamim Foundation.
Saima is a highly decorated Erasmus Mundus (GEMMA) Scholar, holding a Master’s in Women’s and Gender Studies from Central European University and the University of Lodz, Poland. She also holds double Bachelor’s degrees from the University of the Punjab: a Gold Medal in Women’s Studies and an advanced degree in Educational Research and Assessment.