Scholars

Anna Reutova was born in Seversk, Russia. She graduated from Tomsk State University with a Bachelor’s degree and Master’s degree in Economics. While still a student, Anna was offered a position at the University’s Department of International Financial Reporting Standards. In this position, her main focus area is bringing Russian financial reporting into compliance with the international financial reporting standards of the government sector and thus making the university’s financial reporting transparent and accessible to its partners worldwide. Anna’s other significant focus area is working with international funds like Oxford Fund and European Commission funds, large international volunteering projects, international research projects, and grants. She oversees financial management of each project from budgeting and submitting an application to preparing a final financial report once a project is complete. Anna spends a lot of time consulting university employees about the intricacies of financial reporting, accounting, and tax accounting. In her spare time, Anna serves as a member of a nonprofit organization Association of Lawyers of Russia (Tomsk branch) where she is involved in several social projects aimed at providing free legal advice to underserved communities. Through her extensive work experience and continuous involvement with the nonprofit sector and socially important issues, Anna developed great expertise in financial management and strong project management skills. Anna is most interested in education and healthcare, where she is sure her skills will be most useful and for which there is a lot of room for growth in Russia.

Current Organization: Analyst at Tomsk State University

Fizza Siddiqui is pursuing a Master of Science in Technology Management and Entrepreneurship from Lahore University of Management Sciences in Pakistan, focusing on Data Analysis and Python. Fizza has three years of experience in the nonprofit sector and research industry. She has served AC Nielsen as a Research Executive and researches several social issues, including the impact of sexism in Pakistan and the emergence of financial technology. Fizza gained experience in community engagement by working with the world’s largest interest-free microfinance institute, Akhuwat, as a Community Outreach & Government Affairs Executive. She helped improve the lives of people living below the poverty line by introducing several projects, including the Interest-Free Business Loans Program, to support SMEs led by underprivileged people. She launched the pilot phase of the project with a portfolio of $150,000 in total. With the help of the network that she had built, she initiated a financial literacy program for over 1,000 active loanees from across Pakistan to promote financial and money management for underprivileged communities. She was fortunate enough to receive support from the State Bank of Pakistan and built a partnership for the project’s funding and execution. Fizza was also selected as a cultural ambassador to represent Pakistan in the United States for four months. She aspires to launch a crowdfunding platform to deploy an ecosystem for emerging entrepreneurs who otherwise struggle to secure funds, consequently boosting Pakistan’s economy.

Current Organization: MSc Candidate in Technology Management and Entrepreneurship at Lahore University of Management Sciences

Shamima Omwayi is a vibrant young Kenyan woman with a strong passion for humanitarian affairs, notably in the areas of community development, human rights, and peace and sustainability. Shamima holds a Bachelor’s of Commerce Degree in Finance and a Diploma in Accountancy from Technical University of Kenya. Shamima helped revive a community-based charitable organization, Villa Teag Children’s Home, where she has been volunteering for close to seven years providing administrative support. She has contributed immensely overall to the welfare of the homeless children. Previously, Shamima has volunteered as a facilitator for several organizations, including Global Communities in partnership with USAID and Hope World Wide. She also facilitated for Plan International in the areas of women and youth empowerment and peace and security under the Kenya Tuna Uwezo program, leading to an award as a champion of peace efforts in Nairobi City. By actively engaging in community work, she has developed skills in community organization and action, planning and implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and humanitarian communication. Her goal is to network on social entrepreneurship while focusing on the role of women in sustainable economic development. When Shamima is not ironing out community issues, she is expanding her knowledge on various subjects. During her free time, she engages her social media followers on current affairs. Shamima is currently working on a project proposal for Young Mothers Innovator Entrepreneurs.

Current Organization: Administrative Assistant at Villa Teag Children’s Home