Shiza Shahid went on leave from her job as an analyst at McKinsey & Company in Dubai when she heard that the Taliban had tried to assassinate her dear friend, 15-year-old Malala Yousafzai, for speaking out about girls’ rights to education. The two women went on to found the Malala Fund, of which Shahid is now CEO, running the day-to-day operations of the New York City-based nonprofit that is devoted to getting access to education for girls all over the world. Shahid first made contact with Yousafzai when she heard about the teen’s blogging and education campaign and wanted to help. Upon her return to Pakistan during a break from Stanford, Shahid invited Yousafazi and several of her classmates to a week-long retreat Shahid organized for 27 girls in Islamabad. The 24-year-old has been referred to as Malala Yousafzai’s mentor and right hand.
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