Bilal Zia

Bilal Zia is a seasoned professional in data science and economics, currently serving as the Senior Director and Head of Data Science & Analytics at Duolingo since August 2023. Prior to this role, Zia was the Director and Head of Data Science & Analytics at Amazon, leading diverse teams to solve people-centered business challenges from December 2021 to August 2023. Zia's extensive experience includes a 17-year tenure at The World Bank as a Senior Economics Lead, where data-driven policy advice was provided to top government and private sector leaders in emerging markets. Additionally, Zia contributed to academia as an Adjunct Professor at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies and Johns Hopkins University Advanced Academic Programs from 2011 to 2022. Educational qualifications include a PhD in Economics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, a Master's degree in International Development from the same institution, and a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the London School of Economics and Political Science.