Dr. Lalarukh Ejaz is a globally recognized expert in entrepreneurship, innovation, and economics, with 20+ years of experience in academia, research, and corporate leadership. As Director of the Center for Entrepreneurial Development and Assistant Professor at IBA Karachi, she mentors entrepreneurs and shapes Pakistan’s startup ecosystem. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Southampton, UK, and dual master’s degrees in economics from York University, Canada, and the University of Karachi, Pakistan.
A certified trainer and Babson College teaching fellow, her research focuses on entrepreneurship, economics, and gender, with her work featured in a number of international publications. In the corporate sector, she is a certified SECP director, chairs Archnoma Pakistan Ltd, and serves as an independent director at Primus Leasing. Her global expertise and leadership empower innovators, transform ideas into ventures, and inspire the next generation of founders in Pakistan.
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What does entrepreneurship look like beyond registration forms, business plans, and formal markets? Across Pakistan, women are building businesses, supporting households, and contributing to local economies, often without the recognition or resources their work deserves. In this thought-provoking session, Dr Lalarukh Ejaz turns attention towards the strength and significance of women-led informal businesses. The conversation explores how women navigate structural barriers, exercise economic agency, and create opportunities within systems that frequently overlook their contributions. It also raises important questions about visibility, financial inclusion, and what meaningful support for women entrepreneurs should look like. At its heart is a powerful reminder: economic participation does not begin with formal recognition, and some of the most important entrepreneurial stories remain untold.
