Zubaida Bai

Zubaida Bai is a thought leader and innovator of health and livelihood solutions for under-served women and girls globally. Building on her expertise as a mechanical engineer, a product designer, and empathetic communicator, Zubaida, a mother of three, has put her unique passion to work. In the process she built a brand, a growing product line, and set in motion a movement that addresses market failures, breaks taboos, and gives voice to the oft-ignored matter that is women’s health.

Zubaida is the founder and CEO of ayzh (pronounced “eyes”), a social enterprise that began with janma, a $3 Clean Birth Kit in a Purse providing an infection free delivery.Having touched more than one million lives to date, ayzh has evolved into a global business. The company provides products and services along the entire reproductive cycle of women and girls that focus on improving their health and happiness addressing unmet needs in over 14 under-developed countries.

For her efforts towards achieving the UN goals for women’s health, Zubaida has been recognized on an ongoing basis. Some of her recognitions of note are: a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum, a Maternal Health Champion by Ashoka, a TED Speaker, Fellow, and Resident, and a Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Pioneer by the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC). UNGC in her recognition states, Zubaida is “demonstrating how the SDGs can enable business to unlock economic, social and environmental gains for the world.” She has attracted strategic partners from around the world, such as TOMS, Open IDEO, Pfizer Foundation and Grand Challenges Canada.

When she’s not changing the world with her products, Zubaida is inspiring young and old through her speaking at international forums such as Women in the World, TED, Women Deliver, and Chicago Ideas Week. Her talks focus on intersection of women’s health, design and entrepreneurship. She also conducts innovation and design workshops for corporate gatherings globally. You can watch her TED Talk here, and visit www.zubaidabai.com to learn more about her work, advocacy though speaking and design contributions to the social sector. She is also the co-founder of Happy Woman Foundation, an organization catalyzing the next wave of changes that enable women to achieve their entrepreneurial dreams, and wield public influence at a grand scale to create a stronger, happier, and healthier tomorrow for generations to come. Zubaida holds a master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering Specializing in Development of Modular Products, and an MBA in Social and Sustainable Enterprises. She was also conferred with an Honorary Doctrate in 2018.

A young person’s connection to their teacher can be life-changing, bringing confidence and a lasting love of learning, even in the most troubled parts of our world. A teacher can shape your personality, nurture your abilities, and define your future. I wholeheartedly support the efforts of The Global Teacher Prize to celebrate teacher’s gifts and raise their status across the globe.