Breaking the Mold: IBA Women Alumni Reunite to Reflect on Their Journeys and Choices

The Institute of Business Administration (IBA), Karachi, hosted the IBA Women Alumni Reunion 2026: Breaking the Mold – IBA Women Shaping Their Own Paths on Friday, October 16, 2026, at its City Campus. The gathering brought together over 100 alumnae, alongside students, faculty, and members of the IBA community, for an evening of shared experiences, reflection, and conversation on what it means for women to define success on their own terms.

The evening opened with remarks by Sameer Khaleequzzaman, Acting Director – Alumni Affairs and Resource Mobilization, who highlighted the importance of staying connected with the alumni community and creating opportunities for alumnae to engage with the institution and its students. An alumni video featuring women from different batches followed, with alumnae reflecting on the choices that shaped their careers, the expectations they had to let go of, and the lessons they would share with the next generation of IBA women.

The highlight of the evening was a panel discussion titled Breaking the Mold: IBA Women Shaping Their Own Paths, moderated by Saman Mazhar, Organizational Development Consultant and Leadership Facilitator at Funverks. The panel brought together four IBA alumnae from different professional backgrounds: Hafsa Shamsie, Managing Director of Roche Pakistan; Farheen Salman Amir, CEO of the Food Division at Ismail Industries Limited; Misbah Naqvi, Co-Founder and General Partner at i2i Ventures; and Azima Dhanjee, Co-Founder and CEO of ConnectHear.

The discussion explored the expectations women encounter in professional and personal life, the choices that challenge conventional definitions of success, and the realities of building careers across generations. Through their experiences in corporate leadership, entrepreneurship, investment, and social impact, the panelists reflected on navigating uncertainty, finding their voices, and making decisions that aligned with their own ambitions and values. The conversation also considered the role organisations and communities play in creating environments where women can pursue their aspirations and contribute meaningfully.

The evening also created opportunities for alumnae and students to connect beyond the formal programme. Through a message-recording station titled A Wish for Future IBA Women and a reflection board asking, What I Wish Someone Had Told My Younger Self, attendees were invited to share advice and experiences with the women who will follow in their footsteps. Alumnae were also encouraged to explore ways to contribute to the IBA community through mentoring students, sharing professional expertise, opening opportunities within their organisations, and supporting the Legacy Female Fund at IBA.

The programme concluded with remarks by Dr. Akbar Zaidi, Executive Director and Chairman of the Board of Governors at IBA, and Ms. Saba Kamal, MBA Class of 1982 and member of the IBA Board of Governors. The evening also recognised Ms. Yasmin Zaffar, Class of 1979, the most senior alumna present, celebrating her longstanding connection with IBA and the bond shared by generations of its graduates. The formal programme was followed by dinner and networking.

The IBA Women Alumni Reunion 2026 reaffirmed the value of bringing alumnae together to exchange perspectives, strengthen professional relationships, and support the next generation. By making space for honest conversations about the choices, challenges, and turning points that shape women's journeys, the gathering reinforced a simple message: there is no single path to success, and every generation has something to learn from the one before it.

IBA extends its gratitude to the moderator, panelists, participating alumnae, faculty, staff, student volunteers, and the City Campus administration and security teams for their contributions to the evening.