As a strategic advisor, Sabah Mirza’s job is to facilitate connections through interactive workshops, team and community building, and storytelling. But connecting people is also her mission in life. Sabah believes that thoughtful, one-on-one engagement can help people develop meaningful relationships, which are needed more than ever in this era of rapidly evolving technology. And she maintains that essential skills like listening can be taught to help people become “better individuals, leaders, teams, friends, partners, parents … pretty much better everythings.”
Sabah and eight GSB classmates were founding members of Allies99, launched in June 2020 to create “meaningful advances in equity and justice within our workplaces, communities, and homes.” They recruited 43% of the MBA ’99 class, launched social impact projects and a for-profit startup, offered monthly programs, facilitated individual and collective action, and raised hundreds of thousands of dollars in philanthropic giving.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Sabah reached out to her former classmates to offer support and reassurance, nurturing connections in the midst of isolation. She continues to encourage her peers to tell their stories at class gatherings, acknowledging their contributions to the collective experience and helping them recognize their unique value. “Sabah’s leadership style is characterized by empathy and a genuine desire to uplift those around her,” Senia Maymin, MBA ’99, PhD ’13, says. “In many ways, Sabah is like a candlelight, illuminating the paths of those around her and helping them shine both individually and collectively. Through her actions and words, she exemplifies the essence of compassionate leadership, making a lasting impact on her community and encouraging others to do the same.”
