Shiza Shahid is a social entrepreneur born in Pakistan. She is involved in many different projects including being the co-founder and former CEO of the Malala Fund. Shahid has been named to Time‘s “30 Under 30” list of world change-makers, and Forbes‘s “30 Under 30” list of global social entrepreneurs.

Graduating from Stanford University, immediately looked to make a difference in the world. She traveled back to her home country of Pakistan and worked to combat the Taliban’s ban against women’s education. To help her efforts she co-founded NOW Ventures, which focuses on funding startups with likeminded goals.

After hearing about the brave efforts of activist Malala Yousafzai, Shahid met with her and helped her with her recovery, serving as a mentor to the young activist. They subsequently established the Malala Fund. The group helps bring safe and high quality education to women in Pakistan and other areas across the globe.

Shahid has given many lectures and speeches at universities around the world on the subjects of women’s empowerment and the importance of child education. Shahid has spoken at the SXSW conference as well as TED in 2013.