Nadia Zoha: A Story of Grit, Growth, and Giving Back

Moving across the world alone at 18, Nadia Zoha arrived in the U.S. with two goals—to complete her education and help her family migrate from Pakistan. Through determination, she secured scholarships, worked multiple jobs, and earned both her undergraduate and graduate degrees. Her first job at a consulting firm launched an 18-year career in corporate strategy and IT, where she held leadership roles at Citigroup, PwC, IBM, Morgan Stanley, and Humana.

But Nadia’s journey is more than a corporate success story—it’s one of perseverance, love, and service. She met Raj Thakkar, a Hindu Gujarati social entrepreneur, and together, they built a life centered on shared values of giving back. Now based in New York City with their teenage daughter, Raina, Nadia continues to dedicate herself to meaningful causes.

Today, she is a Project Leader at Muslim Volunteers for New York (MV4NY), spearheading community-driven initiatives to support NYC’s underserved populations. Her experience in business project management enables her to drive impactful change and develop strategic solutions for nonprofit initiatives.

With a heart full of ambition, Nadia also aspires to complete her memoir, Made it in Manhattan, a reflection on her immigrant experience, professional journey, motherhood, and navigating an interfaith marriage.

Her story is a testament to the power of passion, grit, and integrity. Nadia’s relentless pursuit of success and service proves that when you move with intention, resilience, and hard work, dreams can be realized.

Join us in celebrating Nadia’s inspiring journey! If her story resonates with you, connect with her through DAWN and become part of our empowering network. Join DAWN today to connect with inspiring leaders like Nadia, share your own journey, and support the growth of South Asian women in our community.