Shaz Akram is the founder and visionary behind HerPivot, a platform dedicated to empowering women through storytelling, mentorship, and professional development. Designed for women navigating career transitions and leadership challenges, HerPivot amplifies the voices and experiences of mid-career and executive-level women, creating a community rooted in connection, resilience, and growth.

A recognized leader in international education, nonprofit management, and women's leadership, Shaz most recently completed a Fulbright Specialist appointment at Kinnaird College for Women in Lahore, Pakistan, where she designed and delivered faculty development programs focused on leadership, mentorship, professional advancement, and institutional capacity building. This experience reinforced her commitment to supporting women’s educational and economic empowerment globally.

Prior to founding HerPivot, Shaz served as Executive Director of the Women’s Foreign Policy Group (WFPG), where she led strategic planning, fundraising, and programming initiatives to advance women’s leadership in international affairs and national security. It was during her tenure at WFPG that she observed a critical gap in mentorship and support for mid- and senior-level women professionals. While early-career women often benefited from networking opportunities and mentorship programs, many experienced professionals faced challenges including career stagnation, imposter syndrome, ageism, and limited access to executive-level guidance. HerPivot was created to address that gap.

Previously, Shaz served as Deputy Director of the Fulbright Association, where she helped strengthen engagement among a nationwide network of Fulbright alumni and championed international educational exchange. Her career also includes leadership roles in higher education and international programs, including at Mississippi State University, where she contributed to internationalization initiatives, student success, and cross-cultural engagement.

Shaz brings extensive expertise in strategic partnerships, fundraising, program development, alumni engagement, international education, and nonprofit leadership. Throughout her career, she has worked across the nonprofit, academic, and foreign policy sectors to build programs that foster leadership, global understanding, and meaningful social impact.

She currently serves on the Board of Governors and Trustees of the DACOR Bacon House Foundation and on the Board of the Public Diplomacy Council of America. Through HerPivot and her broader professional work, Shaz remains committed to empowering women, fostering global connections, and creating pathways for leadership, opportunity, and lasting change.