Simeen Kaleem, Laidlaw Scholar at Oxford University’s Saïd Business School, is driving change by democratizing data for farmers and uplifting women leaders in the impact sector.
Simeen Kaleem, Laidlaw Scholar at Oxford University’s Saïd Business School, is driving change by democratizing data for farmers and uplifting women leaders in the impact sector.
Born and raised in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, India, my journey toward the Laidlaw Scholarship at Said Business School, Oxford, has been fueled by a fervent dedication to social impact and community empowerment. With over a decade of experience in the impact space, including serving as the country manager for the University of Chicago's research program in India and co-founding Gramhal, an organization dedicated to democratizing data for farmers, I have witnessed firsthand the transformative power of inclusive leadership and grassroots innovation. My academic background, spanning institutions like Miranda House, University of Delhi, the Young India Fellowship, and the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, has equipped me with a comprehensive understanding of complex social issues and a relentless drive to effect change. The ethos of the Laidlaw Scholarship, particularly its emphasis on empowering women leaders, resonates deeply with me. The prospect of joining a community where women uplift and champion each other fills me with a sense of purpose and determination. With the support of the Laidlaw community, I hope to amplify my leadership aspirations and drive meaningful and sustainable impact.
What is the biggest life challenge you have overcome and what did you learn from it?
Navigating the early stages of a solution not working has been one of my most significant challenges. This experience taught me a vital lesson: to solve complex social problems, one must be married to the problem, not the solution. Initially, I was deeply attached to our initial approach, but as it became evident it wasn't yielding the desired results, I had to pivot. Embracing this mindset shift allowed me to approach the issue with fresh eyes, fostering innovation and adaptability. I learned that true impact arises from a willingness to iterate, evolve, and sometimes even let go of preconceived solutions in favor of what best serves the community. This transformative lesson continues to guide my approach, emphasizing the importance of staying agile, empathetic, and committed to the underlying cause above all else.
Simeen Kaleem with the HBS team and farmers in a village in Madhya Pradesh, India. .
What is the most useful/impactful piece of advice you have been given in your life?
The most impactful advice I've received is to celebrate failure. You only fail when you try to aspire for more and push yourself out of your comfort zone – so its important to celebrate that courage!
Conversely, what is the WORST piece of advice you have been given?
Among the worst advice I've encountered is the counsel to stick to the tried and tested, avoid taking risk. I think the biggest springboard is life happens when you take a risk!
What are your top 3 leadership tips?
Practice distributive leadership.
Cultivate unrealistic optimism.
Reflect and seek feedback.
What does it mean for you to be a Laidlaw Scholar?
Being a Laidlaw Scholar is an immense honor and a source of strength. It means being part of a community where women uplift each other, fostering fearlessness and audacity in leadership aspirations. It's a surreal privilege that empowers me to achieve what once felt impossible.
Which leaders inspire you the most and why?
Oprah Winfrey and Jacinda Ardern inspire me immensely for their courage, honesty and exceptional leadership qualities.
Both Oprah Winfrey and Jacinda Ardern inspire me because they exemplify values-based leadership, prioritizing empathy, inclusivity, and social responsibility in their roles. They show that leadership is not just about achieving personal success but also about using one's platform and influence to uplift others and create positive change in the world.
Describe a scene from the future you are striving to create.
In the future I'm working towards, farmers in India not only achieve generational wealth but also ensure its sustainability and growth. Through access to comprehensive agricultural information and resources, facilitated by user-friendly digital platforms and community-driven initiatives, farmers make informed decisions that optimize productivity and profitability. In addition to the prosperity and generational wealth among farmers, I envision a future where the impact space sees a significant rise in women leaders. Through targeted initiatives promoting gender equality and empowerment, more women are encouraged to step into leadership roles within the impact sector.
Simeen Kaleem is a Laidlaw Scholar Alumna at Oxford University's Saïd Business School. You can find Simeen on LinkedIn.
The Laidlaw Women's Business Education Scholarship aims to help build a pipeline of future women leaders through access to best-in-class education, resources and global networks by providing full and half scholarships to women who would not otherwise be in a position to reap the benefits of attending an outstanding school.
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