Beyond Work
Giving back, on the road and in the community
Serving a school community, leading rides with a purpose, volunteering in disaster relief, supporting founders and building community.
Education · school governance
Chairperson of the Governing Board, The City School International, Dubai Campus
In 2025 I served as Chairperson of the Governing Board of The City School International (TCSI), Dubai Campus.
In February 2026 I joined the school's Career Pathways programme as an evaluator, judging students' Shark Tank-style business pitches. Helping young people test a business idea against real questions is one of the most rewarding ways to give back.
Harley Owners Group
Over a decade with the H.O.G. Dubai Chapter
For over a decade I have ridden with the Harley Owners Group Dubai Chapter, serving as Lead Captain and Road Marshal.
Leading a group ride is a lesson in preparation, trust and looking after the people behind you.
The best rides are the well-prepared ones, where everyone gets home safely. The same discipline applies to leading a team through a difficult market.
Community
Rides with a purpose
With the H.O.G. Dubai Chapter, I have helped lead rides that give something back.
- 2025Mentor & Lead Marshal, Eid Brotherhood RideAbout 300 riders from 18 clubs rode 280 km from Dubai to Kalba for workers' welfare. Covered by Gulf News
- 2025Pink Ride for Breast Cancer AwarenessWith the Dubai Chapter and Ladies of Harley
- 2024Eid Brotherhood Ride15 motorcycle clubs riding together to support water coolers for labour camps and Iftar meals for workers
- 2024Riding with the Security Industry Regulatory Agency (SIRA) for Emarat Al AmanSIRA is the Government of Dubai agency, established by Law No. 12 of 2016, that regulates the security industry in the emirate. Emarat Al Aman, its security and safety awareness event, reached its fifth edition in November 2024, organised with Emaar in Downtown Dubai. We rode with SIRA to promote peace and safety in the UAE and worldwide. Abu Dhabi and Dubai consistently rank among the world’s safest cities.
- 2022UAE National Day ParadeWith H.O.G. Abu Dhabi, carrying a 71-metre UAE flag
- —Tribute to Delivery RidersHonouring the riders who keep retail moving every day
Community rides
Community · Relief work
Standing with communities in hard times
Between 2004 and 2010 I volunteered for relief work in three disasters in South Asia, launching community efforts in my own capacity for immediate relief and rehabilitation.
December 2004 · India & Sri LankaIndian Ocean tsunami
After the tsunami of 26 December 2004, I volunteered with the Pakistan Association Dubai, raising funds and resources for relief in affected communities in India and Sri Lanka.
Photo: Sri Lankan coast, 2004 · U.S. Defense Logistics Agency, public domain · Wikimedia Commons
October 2005 · Northern PakistanEarthquake in northern Pakistan
The earthquake of 8 October 2005 struck northern Pakistan, was felt as far as Afghanistan and took more than 73,000 lives. I organised my own relief effort under the Pakistan Association Dubai umbrella, raising funds and resources for the affected areas.
Photo: Muzaffarabad, 13 October 2005 · U.S. Navy, public domain · Wikimedia Commons
2010 · Punjab, PakistanPakistan floods
The 2010 monsoon floods affected about 20 million people across Pakistan. I raised funds and resources and volunteered in rehabilitation work in the Punjab region.
Photo: flooded farmland, Pakistan, 2010 · Australian Government (DFAT), CC BY 2.0, cropped · Wikimedia Commons
Mentoring
Supporting founders
Experience is worth most when it is shared. I give my time to founders and young entrepreneurs, especially in Pakistan, on the questions I spent over 23 years answering in real markets.
- Since 2024
Plan9
Senior member and mentor at Plan9, the technology incubator of the Punjab Information Technology Board, working with early-stage founders.
- Mentor & adviser
National Incubation Center Lahore
Advising startups at NIC Lahore on taking products to market and building the partnerships that sustain growth.
- Mentor
BNU Innovatrium
Mentoring founders at Beaconhouse National University's innovation centre.
- 2024 & 2025
Judge, IPP-US New Venture Contest
Evaluating new ventures competing for interest-free startup funding, with 100+ teams in 2025 and partners including Akhuwat and KICS, UET Lahore.
- 2026
Judge, Global Recognition Awards
Serving on the Technology and Software Engineering judging panel.
- 2026
The City School International
Evaluating students' Shark Tank-style business pitches in the Career Pathways programme.
Route to market
Choosing channels, sequencing markets and pricing for the route the product will actually travel.
Distribution & partners
Finding, selecting and keeping the right distributors and dealers, on terms both sides can grow with.
Manufacturing & sourcing
Working with factories and suppliers, and planning ranges and volumes against real demand.
Direct-to-consumer
Building direct customer relationships alongside existing partners, without undermining them.
Community · Open Dallas
Charter Member, 2026
In 2026 I joined Open Dallas as a Charter Member: a diverse community of leaders committed to open dialogue, inclusive collaboration and building a stronger Dallas together.