Mehnaz Ansari

"Mehnaz Ansari is a seasoned global executive with over 25 years of experience at the intersection of international trade, infrastructure development, and gender empowerment. As the former Senior Regional Representative for South Asia at the U.S. Trade and Development Agency, she led over 150 infrastructure projects across eight countries, embedding gender-responsive strategies and advancing development in sectors such as smart cities, clean energy, climate technologies, aviation, healthcare, digitization, public procurement, ports, inland waterways, and oil and gas.

A recognized advocate for women’s leadership, Mehnaz conceptualized and chaired the Women in Aviation Leadership Initiative under the U.S.-India Aviation Cooperation Program and served as Senior Vice President of the Women in Aviation India Chapter. She is a founding member of the U.S. Embassy’s Gender Empowerment Committee and was recognized by UN Women for her pioneering efforts to integrate women’s safety into India’s Smart Cities Mission.

Currently, Mehnaz is spearheading the development of global executive education programs in aviation and infrastructure management through her own consulting partnership firm, Aerostrategix. She also leads a socio-health initiative on breast cancer awareness for underprivileged women in India, in collaboration with Stanford University, U.S. corporations, and the Government of India.

Beyond her professional pursuits, Mehnaz runs a philanthropic foundation focused on the upliftment of the poor and is a passionate advocate for work-life balance and holistic well-being.

Daughter of academicians Late Prof. Noorul Hasan Ansari and Late Dr. Nafis Jahan Ansari, Mehnaz draws deep inspiration from her mother, whose resilience and support have been guiding forces throughout her life. She is married to Dr. Syed Naseer Hussain, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha), and they are proud parents of two sons, Syed Hashir Hussain and Syed Tahir Hussain."