In a landscape where opportunities for women professionals to connect and flourish remain scarce, Laiba Farid, our SDP alumna from the Class of 2023, under the mentorship of Saleena Beg, Lead Organizational Development at HBL, and in collaboration with her incredible team, has successfully launched ‘HERe’.

With a clear vision in mind, HERe aims to empower women by fostering a supportive community where female professionals can uplift and empower one another regardless of the stage they are at in their careers. The platform provides a space for women in business to support each other’s ventures, offer mentorship, and network for professional development, thereby cultivating a strong and resourceful community.

Since its recent inception, HERe has been focused on growing its audience and spreading awareness about its goals. Understanding the importance of effectively articulating the platform’s purpose and benefits to its audience, Laiba, and her team have focused on developing strong communication strategies built around various social media channels. Recently, HERe launched a private LinkedIn group exclusively for its members, ensuring that opportunities and events are tailored specifically for them. The response has been overwhelmingly positive, with an increasing number of female professionals expressing interest in joining HERe.

Drawing from her undergraduate coursework at Habib University and her internship experience at HBL, Laiba has honed her skills in engaging audiences and organizing impactful events. She has adeptly applied these skills to contribute actively to event planning and coordination at HERe.

The inaugural event, HERe Mixer 1, provided a kick-off for this community, allowing Laiba and her team to connect with women from diverse backgrounds. Additionally, HERe Mixer 2 celebrated International Women’s Day, encouraging members to share their experiences in the corporate sector and introduce themselves beyond work-related details. These mixers incorporated elements like meditation and painting sessions, that aimed at creating an environment where participants could unwind, connect, and support each other.

The team at HERe has plans to host small mentorship events, where experienced professionals from within the community will guide young female professionals in their careers. They also aim to organize various networking events filled with engaging activities to facilitate learning and mutual support among members.

Looking ahead, Laiba hopes to see how her experience as part of the Group Management Trainee program at House of Habib will reflect on her career. She is also eager to explore new avenues and continue her journey of self-discovery, seeking to uncover her niche and make meaningful contributions in her future endeavors.