Saima Aftab: Reinventing Success One Chapter at a Time

What does it mean to evolve with purpose? For Dr. Saima Aftab, it meant stepping out of a highly accomplished medical career and boldly redefining her path to create impact beyond the walls of the NICU. 

A board-certified neonatologist and senior healthcare executive, Saima has never shied away from reinvention. After earning her medical degree from King Edward Medical University in Lahore and completing a residency and fellowship at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Saima rose through the ranks of academic and clinical excellence. She served in key leadership roles at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and held academic positions at Harvard, Tufts, and UPenn. Her expertise in neonatal resuscitation and medical simulation has been widely recognized and published, establishing her as a leader in her field.

Yet, after over a decade of bedside care, Saima felt a new calling—one that would blend her clinical insight with systems-level change. She earned her MBA from the University of Miami and stepped into strategy and leadership at Nicklaus Children’s Health System in Florida. Today, as Senior Vice President, Chief Strategy Officer, and President of Network Services, she leads transformative initiatives that shape the future of pediatric healthcare across multiple counties, while also spearheading global health efforts.

But Saima’s journey didn’t stop there.

Ten years after her shift from the NICU, Saima once again answered the call of reinvention. She launched YEBO, a sustainable athleisure brand grounded in the principles of ethical fashion, community empowerment, and bold style. “I believe in reinvention. Every decade, a new chapter,” she says—and her story is proof of just how powerful that mindset can be.

YEBO is more than clothing—it’s a movement. The brand reflects Saima’s values: thoughtful, mission-driven, and forward-thinking. With a focus on environmentally friendly practices, YEBO stands at the intersection of conscious consumerism and authentic self-expression. And, of course, it’s exceptionally cute (in her words—and ours!).

At DAWN, we celebrate women like Saima because she embodies everything we stand for: reinvention, resilience, leadership, and purpose. Whether she’s leading strategy at a top healthcare system or building a fashion brand from the ground up, Saima shows us that the pursuit of passion isn’t linear—it’s layered, evolving, and deeply personal.

Her journey reminds us that success doesn’t mean sticking to one lane—it means following your curiosity, stepping into your power, and choosing courage over comfort.

Saima will soon join the DAWN community for a virtual conversation and in-person showcase, where she’ll speak about her entrepreneurial path, her passion for supporting other women, and how she built a brand from the ground up while still thriving in her executive career.
To our DAWN members and beyond: Let Saima’s story remind you—it’s never too late to pivot, dream bigger, and write your next chapter.

Support Saima and explore her collection at YEBO Clothing Follow along: @yeboclothing

Keep evolving. Keep building. Keep being bold.