Impact Stories from Professional Development Policy Area

"Fellow announces partnership to co-host mega IT conference "

Fellow(s): Ayesha Zaman Hammad

Country: Pakistan

Cohort: 2022

Policy Area(s): Economic Impact, Professional Development

SkillsTodo, an e-learning platform co-founded by fellow & CEO Ayesha Zaman Hammad (Pakistan, 2022), recently announced that it will serve as an execution partner for the 7th annual Connected Pakistan conference, a two-day mega event that brings together up to 20,000 participants in the IT and freelancing sectors for 50+ workshops featuring over 300 speakers and government officials.
SkillsTodo provides 90-minute in-demand skills courses taught by field experts at an affordable rate. The startup has quickly gained influence and popularity, rising to the number one spot on the Startany.com “trending startups to follow” list, just four months after its launch in February of 2021.
Ayesha notes that she has boosted her professional engagement due to the influence of TechWomen. “I give a lot of credit for this confidence,” Ayesha said, “to my professional mentor Aliya Janjua,” from SS&C Advent. In addition to running SkillsTodo, Ayesha conducts marketing bootcamps for Microsoft Business to business clients, recently helped raise funds for a co-working space in Lahore, and just joined on as an advisor for Techtitans Pakistan, a peer-to-peer exchange network for tech and HR professionals.

Report Date...: 8/1/2022

"Fellow selected as final jurist in Lebanese accelerator event "

Fellow(s): Shahrazad Shehab

Country: Lebanon

Cohort: 2019

Policy Area(s): Professional Development

Lebanese fellow Shahrazad Shehab (2019) recently had the honor of serving as a final jurist for the Take-Off Accelerator by Centre MINE x Bloom.
Take-Off is a Lebanese growth accelerator designed to promote better job opportunities in Lebanon and help businesses adapt to the changing circumstances in the country, region and globe. Winning enterprises receive $10,000 in new funds and embark on a four-month mentorship and training program conducted mostly online to promote accessibility.
Shaharazad is a startup digital strategist and the co-founder of Creative Consults, an agency that helps businesses modernize their IT and technical expertise. In addition to serving as a jurist, she recently hosted a webinar for Take-Off Accelerator focused on pitching to investors.

Report Date...: 8/1/2022

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Fellow hosts chemistry educators event at UNILAG

Adetoun was commended on her food insecurity research at the U.S. Mission in Nigeria.

Fellow Adetoun Akitoye (Nigeria, 2022), a lecturer at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), recently hosted the Women Chemistry Educators Network event, “Shaping the Future: Teaching and Mentorship for Women Chemistry Educators,” supported by the Royal Society of Chemistry. The gathering brought together leaders in academia to explore the transformative role of mentorship and continuous learning in the sciences.

Adetoun, who mentors undergraduates and champions innovation and food security research at the university, led the event with a focus on community, growth, and collaboration. During a presentation of her work at the U.S. Mission in Nigeria, she was commended by U.S. Ambassador Richard M. Mills Jr. for her efforts to combat food insecurity in her country.

Report Date: 04/07/2025

Fellow shares fintech insights on KIMEP Early Career panel

Fellow Zhanargul Izimova (Kazakhstan, 2018) recently spoke at the Early Career panel session hosted at KIMEP University, engaging students and aspiring professionals on the future of FinTech and the power of mentorship. The event, organized by Early Career Women in Tech® Kazakhstan and the Executive Education Center at KIMEP, centered on how young professionals can enter and thrive in the fast-changing tech landscape.

Zhanargul, FS Consulting Practice Leader for Eurasia Advisory, shared practical advice for those launching their careers, emphasizing that success in FinTech requires adaptability, technical fluency, and a user-first mindset—key qualities that set it apart from traditional finance. Most importantly, she underscored the role of mentorship as essential to professional growth.

“The principle of Giving Back, which I was imbued with during the TechWomen Program, is the basis of a strong professional community,” she shared in a recent post. “By helping today, we shape the leaders of tomorrow.”

Report Date: 04/07/2025