Danish Jabbar Khan
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Danish Jabbar Khan, CEO of Kaarvan Crafts Foundation, is a social entrepreneur who works with the women in the rural communities in order to build their confidence to participate in local decision-making and carving connections with relevant urban markets.
Khan has always pushed the boundaries of his discipline whether it was corporate or development sector in his work life spanning over 20 years. Always working in a space of experimentation around complex issues — crafting an emergent practice of social innovation that shapeshifts in subversive yet expansive ways. He is devoted to examining the ways in which gender roles and all forms of human inequality are embedded in culture and society. Works to reduce gender difference by providing market linkages, entrepreneurship and livelihood opportunities to women living in low-income communities. Khan believes that the representation and participation of women will pave the path for a culture of peace in the country.
A disruptive thought leader constantly transforming the organization into an energized hub and a role model of professional excellence in development sector. Under his leadership, Kaarvan has touched the lives of more than 25,000 women in over 1,000 villages across Pakistan in collaboration with FCDO, The British Asian Trust, Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF), Center for Economic Research in Pakistan (CERP) UNWomen, UNESCO, SAMSUNG, MEDA, HomeNet South Asia and many others.
Honoring his contribution towards Women Entrepreneurship, The International Alliance for Women (TIAW) recognized him as a Champion of Women Economic Empowerment and bestowed upon him the “World of Difference Award” for 2019.
He has also been acknowledged by HRH Prince Charles’s British Asian Trust in recognition of his work in developing and delivering impactful economic solutions to the challenges of poverty and injustice towards marginalized rural women in Pakistan.
Finalist from over 5000 entries for the British Council’s #ideaschangelives Global Innovation Challenge 2019, that ran from October 2019 to January 2020 to find digital solutions to some of the world’s greatest problems.
A distinction holder for bachelors in architecture from The National College of Arts (NCA) and an MBA from LUMS, Danish has extensive experience in Marketing & Sales with Nestle Pakistan before he embarked on his journey of Social Entrepreneurship with Kaarvan.
Khan is the recipient of LUMS Vice Chancellor’s Alumni Achievement Award for 2019, that recognizes alumni who have made a positive social or philanthropic impact on the community, enhancing the quality of life while reflecting the values of the institution.
