IPN Spotlight: Shamsah Virani (Marketing & Communications Director, Aga Khan University Health Services, Pakistan)
Shamsah was born in London, UK to a family with very humble beginnings. Her parents had emigrated from India in the early 1960’s. She grew up watching her family struggle to build a life for themselves, witnessing her parents being frugal, hardworking and persevering through some challenging circumstances. The one underlying strength that held their family together was their steadfast faith and this was a constant in their lives. Being heavily influenced by Hazar Imam’s guidance, Shamsah’s father invested his relentless efforts towards ensuring his daughters were empowered with education.
Shamsah received her Bachelors in Science in Human Physiology from University of Leeds and a Masters in Human and Applied Physiology from King’s College London. Her 20 + years career path spent in pharmaceutical healthcare, began in London in a Sales role, continued in Toronto in Training & Development, Research and Product Management roles, and then onto California in Business Development, Global Brand Management, Commercial Development and Executive Marketing Management roles. In 2014, she and her family landed in Pakistan where she has been the Director for Marketing, Marketing Research, Contact Centre and Communications, working for Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH).
What skills have helped you in your career?
• Communications
• Critical thinking
• Analytical
• Emotional intelligence
• Focus on your goals
What do you wish you had known or done differently throughout your career?
During my student days – I wish I was more focused. In my opinion, the institutional excellence and caliber has the ability to create a sound foundation in a person’s life and so I feel I wish I had been more studious in my studies to ensure I was able to access the best educational institutions early on in my life. I continue to develop myself through professional development courses and reading material in my field.
What do you do for continuing education and improvement?
I subscribe to professional associations and online journals which keep me updated on the latest developments and trends in my industry. I actively network within the industry.
What is next for you in your career?
I would like to continue my work at AKUH and the AKDN network, It was a privilege to be able to build a marketing and communication department from scratch and I’d like to explore how else I can contribute as the experience has been very rewarding.
What advice would you offer to others?
‘Find your passion and stay true to yourself. Set clear goals and work hard to achieve them. Don’t forget to always lean on your faith’
Areas where you can help other Ismailis:
• Marketing
• Communications
• Career- professional coaching
Please provide the link to your LinkedIn profile:
Shamsah Virani
Please provide your preferred email address so interested professionals can network with you:
[email protected]
Region:
Karachi, Pakistan
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