Biography of Sheba Najmi: Founder & Executive Director of Code for Pakistan
Biography of Sheba Najmi:
Sheba Najmi stands at the forefront of civic tech innovation
in Pakistan as the Founder & Executive Director of Code for Pakistan, a
nonprofit organization dedicated to leveraging technology for citizen-focused
government innovation. Her journey is driven by a steadfast commitment to
social impact and bridging the gap between government and communities through
innovative solutions.
Sheba Najmi: From News Anchor to Tech Innovator
Sheba Najmi's journey is a testament to her diverse talents
and relentless pursuit of societal change through technology. After earning her
BS and MS degrees in Symbolic Systems from Stanford University, where she
explored the intersection of human-computer interaction, she embarked on a
dynamic career that began as a news anchor and reporter for Indus Television.
Her role hosting "Press Review" delved into current affairs, engaging
political figures, ambassadors, and analysts in meaningful discussions.
Driving Innovation at Yahoo and Beyond
Najmi's career path soon led her to become a lead designer
for Yahoo Mail, a pivotal role where she shaped the user experience for
millions worldwide. Her expertise in user experience design and product
strategy flourished, culminating in her co-founding of a startup targeting baby
boomer and senior citizen audiences, addressing a demographic often overlooked
in tech innovation.
Catalyst for Civic Engagement
Transitioning from corporate to civic tech, Najmi joined
Code for America as a 2012 Fellow, spearheading initiatives like Honolulu
Answers and organizing the first civic write-a-thon in the US. Her passion for
leveraging technology for public good deepened as she pioneered Pakistan’s
inaugural Civic Hackathon and subsequently organized three more across the
country. These hackathons aimed to harness entrepreneurial spirit and
technological prowess to tackle Pakistan’s civic challenges.
Championing Civic Tech in Pakistan
Sheba's impact in Pakistan began with pioneering initiatives
such as Pakistan's first civic hackathon in 2013 and the Government Innovation
Fellowship Program in partnership with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government and
the World Bank. These efforts laid the foundation for Code for Pakistan's role
as the country's first civic tech organization, demonstrating Sheba's vision,
leadership, and ability to unite citizens and governments in transformative
projects.
Founding Tech for Change
Driven by a commitment to transformative impact, Najmi
founded Tech for Change, a nonprofit dedicated to uniting entrepreneurs,
developers, and designers to address Pakistan's civic issues collaboratively.
This initiative underscores her vision of leveraging technology as a catalyst
for positive societal change, aiming to foster innovation that directly
improves communities across Pakistan.
Leading the Charge with Code for Pakistan
As Executive Director of Code for Pakistan, Najmi continues
to shape the landscape of civic tech innovation. Under her leadership, Code for
Pakistan has launched transformative initiatives including a fellowship program
in Peshawar, Civic Innovation Labs, a women and technology initiative, and
pioneering efforts in data journalism. These efforts have resulted in the
deployment of nine civic applications, free for community use, with one even
birthing a civic startup.
Biography of Sheba Najmi: Founder & Executive Director of Code for Pakistan/news anchor at Indus TV/anchorperson and journalist/Entrepreneur/Success
Transformative Impact and Innovation
Under Sheba's leadership, Code for Pakistan has facilitated
collaborations between over 150 technology professionals and 45 government
departments, resulting in the deployment of 70 open source digital projects and
the opening of 6,000 government datasets. These initiatives have directly
benefited 1.5 million citizens, streamlined government processes, and saved
over 120,000 government hours. The KP Women's Civic Digital Internship Program,
another milestone, has empowered 56 women technologists from remote areas,
enhancing their skills through government projects and mentorship.
Global Influence and Thought Leadership
Sheba's expertise extends globally, informed by her tenure
as a Code for America Fellow where she led the creation of Honolulu Answers, an
acclaimed open source web product now used in multiple cities worldwide.
Sheba's role as a steering committee leader of Code for All underscores her
international influence in civic tech, where she advocates for citizen
participation and effective public service delivery. Her keynote addresses at
prestigious global forums, including the Ukraine Parliament, highlight her
commitment to advancing democracy and civic engagement through technology.
Visionary Leadership and Civic Engagement
Sheba's journey with Code for Pakistan exemplifies visionary
leadership and dedication. As the organization's founder, she has united
citizens eager to make a difference with government innovators seeking change.
Through civic applications and fellowship programs, Code for Pakistan has
empowered communities and introduced innovative practices into government
departments.
Global Impact and Civic Tech Expertise
Before establishing Code for Pakistan, Sheba's expertise in
civic engagement and technology was honed during her tenure as a Code for
America Fellow. Her notable contribution was Honolulu Answers, an open-source
web tool adopted worldwide. Sheba's role in Code for All underscores her global
influence, advocating for citizen participation in governance and speaking at
international forums, including a keynote address at the Ukraine Parliament in
2017.
Passion for User-Centered Solutions
Beyond accolades, Sheba's motivation lies in crafting
solutions that prioritize people. With extensive experience in UX design,
including leadership roles at Yahoo!, LinkedIn, and Exygy, she champions user
experiences that empower individuals and foster societal change. Currently at
FreeWill, she continues to innovate, driven by a commitment to placing users at
the heart of product design.
Driving User Experience and Education
With two decades of experience in User Experience and
Product Design at Silicon Valley giants like LinkedIn and Yahoo!, Sheba brings
a wealth of expertise to her role. She also imparts her knowledge as a faculty
member at San Diego City College, shaping the next generation of designers and
innovators.
Recognition and Future Endeavors
In recognition of her pioneering contributions, Sheba was
honored with the prestigious 2024 HUM Women Leaders Award for her leadership in
technology for public service in Pakistan. As she continues to innovate and
lead, Sheba remains dedicated to designing solutions that prioritize people and
empower communities, driving forward a vision of inclusive and effective
governance.
Conclusion
Sheba Najmi's tireless advocacy and pioneering spirit
exemplify the power of technology to drive meaningful change. Her dedication to
bridging the gap between technology and civic engagement serves as an
inspiration, demonstrating how individuals can lead movements to create a more
inclusive, innovative, and responsive society.
A timeline encapsulating Sheba Najmi's impactful journey:
2000s - Early Career and Academic Pursuits
Sheba Najmi earns her BS and MS degrees in Symbolic Systems from Stanford University, focusing on human-computer interaction.
She begins her career as a news anchor and reporter for Indus Television, hosting discussions on current affairs and engaging with political figures and analysts.
2012 - Code for America Fellowship
Sheba joins Code for America as a Fellow, contributing to
the development of Honolulu Answers, an open-source web tool for civic
engagement.
2013 - Pioneering Civic Tech in Pakistan
Sheba launches Pakistan’s first Civic Hackathon, marking the
beginning of her journey in civic tech innovation in the country.
2014 - Founding Code for Pakistan
Sheba establishes Code for Pakistan, the country’s first
civic tech organization, dedicated to leveraging technology for citizen-focused
government innovation.
2017 - Global Recognition and Leadership
Sheba delivers a keynote address at the Ukraine Parliament,
advocating for citizen participation in democracy and public services.
2020s - Continued Impact and Leadership
Sheba expands Code for Pakistan’s initiatives, including the
Government Innovation Fellowship Program and Civic Innovation Labs across the
country.
Launches Tech for Change, a nonprofit uniting tech
professionals to address civic issues in Pakistan.
2024 - Recognition and Future Endeavors
Sheba receives the 2024 HUM Women Leaders Award for her
leadership in technology for public service in Pakistan.
Continues to innovate and lead, focusing on user-centered
solutions and empowering communities through technology.
This timeline highlights Sheba Najmi’s evolution from a news
anchor to a tech innovator, her pivotal roles in civic tech both in Pakistan
and globally, and her ongoing dedication to driving impactful change through
technology and civic engagement.
