Jehan Ara

Jehan Ara is a seasoned entrepreneur and leader in the technology and innovation sectors, currently serving as the Founder and CEO of Katalyst Labs since May 2021, a startup accelerator and innovation hub. Jehan Ara holds multiple advisory roles, including membership on the TikTok APAC Safety Advisory Council, the Gender Advisory Council of The World Bank, and the Expert Panel of the World Summit Awards. As Director at the Institute of Development and Economic Alternatives (IDEAS) and as a member of the Industry Advisory Board at Habib University, Jehan Ara contributes to shaping industry standards and practices. An independent director at the Central Depository Company of Pakistan Limited until December 2023 and a long-standing member of the Punjab IT Board, Jehan Ara's influence extends into governmental IT initiatives as a former member of the Prime Minister's Taskforce on IT and Telecom. With a foundational education in advanced mathematics, English literature, and economics from prestigious institutions, Jehan Ara also founded The Nest I/O, a prominent startup incubator, before leading Katalyst Labs.