Senior Managing Director of the World Economic Forum; Head of Education, Gender & Work System Initiative; Author of "Fifty Million Rising"

Switzerland
Live Event: $5,000 - $10,000 Virtual Event: Please Contact More Fee Info

Saadia Zahidi Biography

Saadia Zahidi is a senior managing director at the World Economic Forum (WEF), a position she has held since 2018. In this role, she has contributed significantly to a number of key reports, including the WEF's Future of Jobs, Global Gender Gap, and Global Risks Reports. In addition to her work at the WEF, Zahidi has also served on the United Nations Secretary General's high-level panel on women's economic empowerment and the European Space Agency's high-level advisory group on human and robotic space exploration. This diverse range of high-level advisory roles has given Zahidi a broad perspective on a range of global issues.

Aside from her directorial and advisory roles, Zahidi is also a celebrated author. In 2018, she published "Fifty Million Rising: The New Generation of Working Women Transforming the Muslim World". This book, which focuses on the rise of working women in the Muslim world, was longlisted for the 2018 Financial Times and McKinsey Business Book of the Year Award, highlighting Zahidi's ability to provide insightful commentary on significant social trends.

Zahidi's authorial talents were recognized even before the publication of "Fifty Million Rising". In 2014, her book proposal won the inaugural Financial Times and McKinsey Bracken Bower Prize for young business authors. Zahidi's accomplishments have not gone unnoticed by the wider world, either. In both 2013 and 2014, she was named in the BBC's "100 Women" list, reflecting her status as a prominent voice in discussions of women's empowerment and global economic trends.

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Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 03/12/2026.

Saadia Zahidi Videos

Saadia Zahidi, Managing Director, WEF | New Age Of Competition & Global Risks |WEF

Saadia Zahidi, Managing Director, WEF | New Age Of Competition & Global Risks |WEF

The WEF's Global Risks Report 2026 identifies geo-economic tensions, adverse outcomes of AI, extreme weather & disinformation as the top risks for...

International Women's Day: WEF managing director Saadia Zahidi on the gender gap

International Women's Day: WEF managing director Saadia Zahidi on the gender gap

March 8 is International Women's Day. UN chief Antonio Guterres has warned global progress on women's rights is "vanishing". He said the goal of...

Saadia Zahidi: Author of "Fifty Million Rising"

Saadia Zahidi: Author of "Fifty Million Rising"

In this episode of Talks at GS, Saadia Zahidi, author of "Fifty Million Rising," discusses the “quiet revolution” of Muslim women entering the...

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  • What topics does Saadia Zahidi speak about?

    Saadia Zahidi is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Author, Civil Rights, College, Creativity, DEI, Economy, Gender Equality, Middle Eastern Heritage, Political, Social Activism, Social Justice, TED, World Affairs
  • Where does Saadia Zahidi travel from?

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Saadia Zahidi is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics. The estimated speaking fee range to book Saadia Zahidi for your event is available upon request. Saadia Zahidi generally travels from Switzerland and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Zack Kass, Eric Boles, Daymond John, Jelly Roll and Rocky Bleier. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Saadia Zahidi for an upcoming live or virtual event.

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