We are always on the lookout for real people who are working relentlessly to make a name for Pakistan globally. And recently, we came across one such name; Fiza Farhan. She has left us talking ceaselessly about just how much one can achieve with just diligence, intellect and persistency. Here is your ultimate cheat sheet to Fiza Farhan!
SO, WHO EXACTLY IS FIZA FARHAN?
She is a name on the 30under30 list by the prestigious FORBES magazine for Social Entrepreneurs 2015. But she not JUST a name. There is so much more to this bright and talented woman. For starters, Fiza Farhan is the Co-Founder and CEO of Buksh Foundation in addition she is also the Director of Buksh Energy Pvt Ltd (the sister concern co-founded in 2009), She also holds honoree titles of Co-Chairperson Italian Development Chamber of Commerce in Pakistan, Future Energy Leader at the World Energy Council and have recently been appointed as the Chief Strategy Officer of a Consulting and Training company called Compass Training & Consultancy.
ERRR… WE KNOW MANY FOUNDERS & DIRECTORS, WHATS SO SPECIAL ABOUT HER??
What makes her so special is that she is also Pakistan’s youngest entrepreneur and the only Pakistani to be featured in the coveted Forbes list this year! We can’t say the same for anyone else in Pakistan this year, now, can we?
RIGHT, SO SHE’S STUDIED TO GET HERE (OR WAS IT LUCK)?!?
Of course! She has a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the esteemed Warwick Business School and a Bachelor of Science from our very own, Lahore University of Management Sciences [LUMS]. A local home grown girl, Fiza’s father was in the Navy and hence Bahria College was where her secondary schooling took place. Since he was also in the Merchant Navy and they traveled between England, Islamabad and Karachi throughout her childhood… Goes to show how it is possible for anyone to achieve big if they truly set their mind to it.
THAT SOUNDS PRETTY GENERIC, HOW DID SHE FORM BUKSH FOUNDATION??
Having completed her studies, Fiza took up a couple of development sector consultancies for creating turnkey impact investment projects in the development field. Luckily in 2008 she met Mr. Asim Buksh, who is a leading businessman and entrepreneur of Pakistan with an extensive business background including multiple businesses from high end fashion retail to automotives to automation.
Asim wanted to expand in further un-tapped markets in 2008 venturing into Renewable energy and the much untapped impact investment space. Fiza joined him in 2008 and co-founded both Buksh Foundation and Buksh Energy (Pvt.) Ltd in March 2009- with a vision of impact investment and creating demand driven solutions in the renewable energy and development sectors.
SOUNDS FANCY, BUT WHAT DOES BUKSH FOUNDATION ACTUALLY DO?
Buksh Foundation works to bring clean energy projects to the remote and rural areas of Pakistan. In the 4 years since its inception, the Buksh Foundation has trained 135 women as energy entrepreneurs and has brought solar-powered lights to 6, 750 households. The foundation has extended business and clean energy loans to as many as 12, 000 entrepreneurs!
WHAT’S THIS GIRL BEEN UP TO LATELY?
Recently, she was appointed ‘Future Energy Leader’ at the World Energy Council, received the 11th annual Environmental Excellence Award for the ‘Best Performance in Renewable Energy’ and was appointed co-chairperson of the Italian Development Committee, Lahore chapter.
HMMM, IS THAT ALL?
Nope! Fiza has been consistently represented Pakistan’s development sector at the regional and global stage as a speaker across multiple conferences and forums including the UN Foundation’s SE4ALL forum and the Annual Global CSR Summit to name a few. She also continues to represents her company and country at the World Energy Council, UN Foundation Practitioners Network, ADB-Asia Clean Energy Forum, Gender and Energy Network and more!
AND REALLY, WHY SHOULD WE BE IMPRESSED?
If you aren’t super impressed already (and God know you should be) note THIS… We should all love her for being featured this list because she has not only worked with dedication but that she also got recognized for it. The soft image of Pakistan that she has portrayed will take us miles as a nation. We only hope that the other thousands of people working hard and creating such opportunities are also recognized internationally to help promote the more real side of Pakistan.
