AYESHA AZIZ KHAN

SHE WAS RAISED TO JOIN THE MIGHTY BANGLADESH-BASED SUMMIT CONGLOMERATE. BUT, 16 YEARS SINCE, AND HAVING OVERCOME HURDLES APLENTY IN A MALE-DOMINATED INDUSTRY, THE “POWERHOUSE” SCION AND CEO OF THE INFRA GIANT SHARES WITH HELLO! THAT IT’S UNNECESSARILY HARDER YET REWARDING BEING A WOMAN LEADER

- RUCHIKA MEHTA

She’s a mother, she’s a business scion and she’s the CEO and Managing Director of the largest provider of infrastructure from the private sector in Bangladesh – Summit Power International. The 38-year-old, who completed her MBA from Columbia Business School, New York, starting her career in project finance and was promoted to her present position in 2016. In conversation with HELLO!, she talks about her 16-year long journey with the family owned Summit Group, her supportive husband and much more.

What prompted you to foray into the power and infrastructure industry – a sector totally dominated by men? You could have chosen a “softer” profession...

“I joined Summit Power right out of the university. I finished my Bachelor’s in Economics and Business in 2003 from the University College London and immediately started working. I joined the family business because it seemed like the most natural step to take. I’m the eldest in my immediate family. While growing up, my father would take me to office on the weekends and to visit project sites. He constantly spoke about work and shared his plans for the company. So, I joined without any fear or prejudice. I joined because that’s what I was raised to do. But, only after working for some time did I realize what a unique position I am in. As I grew older, I became more aware about how I was usually the only female in the boardroom!

“As for a softer profession... I don’t know what that is. All professions are important. I wish we didn’t have to define professions or people in such a limited manner. All positive contributions to society are necessary. A world with only CEOs, bankers and lawyers is not a world that I would want to inhabit.”

What was it like growing up in one of Bangladesh’s most prominent families?