Alumni Interview - Ms. Roohi Raees Khan
Ms. Roohi Raees Khan is an IBA alumna of MBA Class of 1974. Ms. Khan has over 35 years of exposure in the financial sector by virtue of which she has interacted with various industrial sectors. Ms. Khan has also served on the Boards of Leasing, Housing and Banking; she has also served at Senior Management levels in various organizations as the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer and Group Head. She has also been the Acting President of the Zarai Taraqiati Bank during 2011 and 2012.
Having an experience of over 35 years in the financial sector, what have been the motivating factor for you to keep working hard?
Any one who is working for whatever duration should work with dedication and commitment. The primary motivating factor for continued engagement in the financial sector has been because I wanted to contribute in whatever manner with the underlying desire to share whatever experience I have gained. To be honest I have not looked at it as working hard. Putting my heart into work was more like it.
Young professionals who are looking to build a career in the financial sector, what advice would you give to them?
Financial Sector offers a wide range of choices, banking is more or less a generic word. Banking spectrum includes development banking, commercial banking, investment banking, SME and micro financing, specialized banking for infrastructure , energy, housing, agriculture etc. Then we have capital markets. Islamic banking(leasing, modarabas etc.) has been added recently and is an international phenomenon still at a stage of being explored and refined. Financial sector has a spectrum of challenges to suit the aptitude of the students of finance offering mobility from one end of spectrum to the other. All depending on the appetite one has for challenges.
I have worked in most of the financial sub sectors and enjoyed the challenge offered by each.
As the Chairperson of SNGPL, please walk us through what your typical day looks like.
I became the Chairperson of SNGPL in November 2019.The term of the previous Board ended in June 2020.A new board consisting of 11 members was elected in July 2020. The Board was gracious to repose their confidence in me and re-elected me for a new term starting July 2020 to June 2023.
The Board of any company is tasked with formulating Strategy and Policy for a company and ensuring good governance through well-defined systems. Since I am not involved with the day to day operations of the company, I am available to the Board/company for any advice on the policy/strategy matters and chair the Board meetings whenever these need to be called.
What type of leadership style suits the best for your current position? What style of leadership do you prefer?
I am basically a people-oriented person and believe in bringing the best out of people I work with. I believe in team building, motivation through healthy competition and rewarding achievements which have a demonstration effect.
What are some industry trends that have an impact on your current role?
The energy sector, entirely in the public sector, is presently ridden with circular debt which is impacting the liquidity of the sector. This has become a perennial problem and needs a long-term solution which partly lies in taking tough political decisions. The magnitude of the problem has inflated with passage of every year as no political government was able to address the circular debt issue effectively.
Also energy sector is substantially dependent on imports which will always leave any government in a very vulnerable position unless a policy on gradually building reserves of LNG/Crude oil is devised and implemented. This area has so far remained unattended by the Governments.
Is it the culture or the vision in an organization that leads to success?
A conducive culture of an organization can help to achieve the vision. Both are equally important for the success of an organization.
Class of 1974 - Ms. Khan is sitting in second row, second from right
Favorite memory of the IBA?
Samosas and tea in the canteen and bus ride to the campus. And Of course, we had wonderful teachers who taught us much more beyond books. Not forgetting many wonderful friends I have gained at the IBA.
What skillset do you feel is still relevant in the industry, that is being imparted along with the education at the IBA?
Analytical and solution-oriented attitude helps one to become a good decision maker. But I feel there should be emphasis on learning to work with teams.
One advice/quote for the current students of the IBA?
Never look for short cuts and give your best to whatever you do.