Gender diversity on boards helps organizations perform better. Yet, women hold less than 20% of board seats worldwide. Ambereen Mirza discusses the challenges and opportunities related to serving on a board, with practical tips for women to obtain and succeed in the boardroom. With extensive experience in both the private and nonprofit sectors, Ambereen has advice for everyone on how to create a more inclusive organization through recruitment, education, advocacy, and collaboration.

Ambereen Mirza is an accomplished entrepreneur, educationist, and international development executive. As the Managing Partner of PoliKey, a social enterprise focused on policy issues ranging from sustainability to education, she is dedicated to making a positive impact. Ambereen’s leadership extends to her role as the immediate past President and CEO of OPEN Global, a nonprofit organization that empowers Pakistani entrepreneurs and professionals worldwide. With her strategic vision, she revitalized the OPEN brand, expanded its reach, and launched innovative programs such as virtual mini-MBA and a monthly book club.

Ambereen’s journey began after graduating from Tufts University, where she gained valuable experience at Morgan Stanley, acquiring securities licenses and honing her client relationship skills. She later ventured into consulting, providing guidance on business planning, fundraising strategies, and fostering partnerships with Fortune 500 companies for nonprofits. Her expertise spans various sectors, including healthcare, education, and financial inclusion, across regions like MENA, Southeastern Europe, South and Central Asia, and the Caribbean.

Recognized for her exceptional contributions, Ambereen received the 2019 Green Initiative Leadership Award from Boston GreenFest for her work in supporting natural disaster programs. Passionate about mentoring and teaching, she has shared her knowledge through teaching engagements at Tufts University and mentoring social entrepreneurs at Root Cause, a nonprofit accelerator in Boston.

Ambereen holds a Master of International Public Policy degree from the School of Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University, as well as a BA in International Relations and History from Tufts University. Her dedication to international affairs and socio-economic development continues to drive her impactful work.