Who is Saadia Zahidi, the Pakistani-Swiss executive appointed as IATA’s first woman director general?

Saadia Zahidi is a Pakistani-Swiss economist, global policy expert and business leader who has been appointed as the first woman Director General of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the global trade body representing more than 370 airlines responsible for about 85% of worldwide air traffic.

She will officially assume office on November 1, 2026, becoming the ninth Director General in IATA’s history.

Early life and education

Born to a Pakistani family and raised in Switzerland, Zahidi built an impressive academic foundation in economics and public policy. She holds:

• A Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Smith College (United States)
• An MPhil in International Economics from The Graduate Institute Geneva
• A Master of Public Administration (MPA) from Harvard University

Career at the World Economic Forum

Before joining IATA, Zahidi spent nearly two decades at the World Economic Forum (WEF), where she served as Managing Director and a member of the organization’s Managing Board.

She founded and led the Centre for the New Economy and Society, overseeing global initiatives on:

• Future of work
• Economic transformation
• Skills development
• Gender equality
• Inclusive economic growth

Her research and policy work has influenced governments, multinational corporations and international organizations around the world.

Global leadership roles

Beyond the WEF, Zahidi has served on several prestigious international bodies, including:

• The UN Secretary-General’s High-Level Panel on Women’s Economic Empowerment
• The European Space Agency’s High-Level Advisory Group
• Various international advisory councils on education, innovation and economic development

Why her appointment matters

Her appointment is historic for several reasons:

• She is the first woman to lead IATA since its founding in 1945.
• She becomes one of the few Pakistan-origin executives to head a major global industry organization.
• She will oversee policy and advocacy for an aviation sector that connects billions of passengers annually.

Another Pakistani-origin success story

Saadia Zahidi joins a growing list of Pakistan-origin professionals who have reached senior leadership positions in global institutions, multinational companies, academia and international organizations.

Her achievement also revives a familiar question often debated in Pakistan: Why do so many Pakistan-origin professionals achieve their greatest international success after building careers abroad? Many observers attribute this to access to world-class education, merit-based institutions, global networks and greater opportunities for professional growth.

As she prepares to lead one of the world’s most influential aviation organizations, Zahidi’s appointment represents not only a milestone for IATA but also another significant achievement for the global Pakistani diaspora.