Shiza Shahid Named Chatham Hall’s 2025–2026 Leader in Residence

Chatham Hall is delighted to announce that Shiza Shahid, a celebrated entrepreneur, activist, and educator, will serve as the School’s 2025–2026 Leader in Residence. She will join us on campus in April 2026 to engage with students and faculty, lead workshops, and share her insights on leadership, purpose, and global impact.

Shahid’s story is one of courage, vision, and conviction. Born in Islamabad, Pakistan, she began volunteering as a young teenager, working in women’s prisons and organizing relief for earthquake victims in Kashmir. At 18, she earned a scholarship to attend Stanford University, where her commitment to education and empowerment deepened.

While studying at Stanford, Shahid reached out to Malala Yousafzai and her father, Ziauddin, after hearing of Malala’s efforts to champion girls’ education. Following the 2012 attack on Malala, Shahid traveled to Birmingham, England, to support the Yousafzai family. Together, they co-founded the Malala Fund, a global nonprofit working to ensure every girl has access to safe, high-quality education.

Since then, Shahid has continued to lead in business and advocacy. She co-founded Our Place, a mission-driven cookware company that celebrates culture, connection, and storytelling through food, and NOW Ventures, which invests in socially conscious startups. Her leadership and influence have been recognized around the world, named to both Time and Forbes “30 Under 30” lists for her work in global social entrepreneurship.

“Shiza Shahid’s visit is a remarkable opportunity for our students,” said Sara Stephenson, Rector and Head of School. “Her story reflects the very essence of what we hope each Chatham Hall student will take with her: confidence, compassion, and the courage to make a difference.”

Through the Leader in Residence program, Chatham Hall connects students with accomplished women whose lives exemplify purpose and integrity. Shahid’s journey, from her activism in Pakistan to global leadership, will challenge and inspire our community to think boldly, act justly, and lead with light.

Learn more about our Leader in Residence program and Chatham Hall’s mission to empower students for lives of leadership and impact at www.chathamhall.org.