Dr. Shehla Javed Akram

Dr. Shehla Javed Akram is one of the successful women entrepreneurs in Pakistan. She became a pioneer in the field of healthcare when she launched Pakistan’s first hospital for acute medical care. She then broke into the traditionally male dominated sector by setting up a pharmaceutical industry and became the CEO of a real estate development company, JS Developers. In the public sector Dr. Shehla struggled for seven years to get approval for establishing separate Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Pakistan. This innovative idea occurred after she won as executive member in LCCI election on open merit in year 2002 and realized that women entrepreneurs cannot excel in a male dominant chamber mainly because of their own inhibitions and that women specific product needed a more dedicated platform. Finally the national assembly passed the bill for addition in SRO to allow Women Chambers at provincial/divisional/district levels and thus became the founder president of the WCCI in Pakistan. As a result from a single seat representation in 2002 it has increased by 172% till to date. This increased representation has also encouraged SME policy makers to define better gender specific policies along with improved legislation for status of women. Under her leadership WCCI has become internationally recognized with ECOSOC. She became the First Vice President of the Federation of Chambers.She also represents as director on Boards of PAMCO, SDC Punjab, PCSW and Ambassador for International Women (OPS).She recently was honored with Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah Award.