My name is Minahil Akmal. I grew up in the vibrant city of Lahore, Pakistan, in a family that placed education at the center of everything. With my mother as a doctor and my father a businessman, I was raised to see education as the most powerful enabler of opportunity. As the eldest of six sisters, I naturally became a role model and trailblazer—paving the way for my siblings and cousins to pursue education and careers abroad.
I began my career as a Finance Analyst in Treasury, where I gained hands-on experience on the repo desk and funding operations and witnessed large financial merger firsthand. This experience gave me early exposure to the complexity of financial markets, legal entity structures, and how institutions navigate crisis.
After several years, I returned to Pakistan to honor a promise to my parents and help run my family’s textile business as COO of a weaving unit with more than 2,200 employees. Immersing myself in operations, supply chain, and textile sales, I learned how to lead at scale, balance financial discipline with operational excellence, and adapt to an entirely different business environment.
Eventually, I transitioned into management consulting, where I have spent most of my career advising G-SIB banks and asset managers. I’ve led transformative projects, built strong relationships with C-suite executives, opened new business opportunities, and developed alliances and go-to-market strategies that deliver sustainable growth.
At the heart of my journey is a passion for breaking barriers and building bridges. From being the first in my family to work abroad, to leading thousands of employees in Pakistan, to advising the world’s largest financial institutions, I remain committed to proving that gender should never define opportunity.
I was the first girl in my family to study abroad, and that decision opened doors for all five of my sisters and many of my cousins. I attended Mount Holyoke College, one of the first women’s colleges in the U.S., and that experience shaped me into who I am today—confident, ambitious, and committed to the belief that the sky is the limit. It instilled in me the conviction that gender should never define opportunity.
The mission of the FWA—advancing women and creating equal opportunity—aligns deeply with my own journey. After Mount Holyoke, I missed the intellectual conversations and community of women who made me feel like anything was possible. FWA gave me a way to reconnect with that energy, surround myself with inspiring women, and invest in a cause that is very close to my heart.
I was first introduced to the FWA over by Katrin who encouraged me to get involved and gave the opportunity to host an international business conference. That experience was pivotal—it not only strengthened my leadership skills but also helped me realize what I most enjoy doing and broadened my professional and personal network.
The FWA has had a profound impact on both my career and my personal development. Professionally, it has provided me with opportunities to showcase leadership, expand my network, and collaborate with inspiring women leaders across industries. Hosting events and contributing to initiatives has sharpened my skills in strategy, relationship building, and thought leadership.
On a personal level, the FWA has given me a renewed sense of purpose and community. It has reconnected me to the kind of intellectual conversations and supportive environment I cherished at Mount Holyoke. The women I’ve met through FWA continually remind me that anything is possible, and they inspire me to keep opening doors for the next generation.
The FWA Voices Committee is chaired by Leya Yusupov. Follow FWA on LinkedIn for more FWA Voices stories featuring our members!
