Maha.

Maha Zain

Founder & Consultant | Social Entrepreneurship & Strategic Advisory

Overview

Strategic consultant and social entrepreneur with a background in financial modeling, market analysis, and venture operations. Proven track record in optimizing unit economics for social enterprises and delivering high-stakes feasibility studies for mixed-use developments. Passionate about building sustainable business models and empowering communities through strategic growth.

Askari 11, Pakistan

Experience

Sep 2025

WORK

Consultant

Advisory-Corp

Riyadh, Makkah, Taif, Jeddah

Conducted a Highest-and-best-use analysis for a 5,000 sqm site in Riyadh, modelling a mixed-use development including co-working spaces, serviced apartments, and ground-floor retail/F&B to evaluate density, capex, and occupancy for optimal configuration. Developed scenario-based financial models assessing ROI, capex, occupancy, and market trends to recommend the optimal strategic path for an underperforming hotel in Makkah. Delivered a feasibility study for 3 land assets in Taif, Jeddah, and Riyadh, evaluating development potential for a warehousing facility through market benchmarking and site analysis (SWOT) of comparable developments within 5 km, 10 km, and 20 km radii.

•Conducted a Highest-and-best-use analysis for a 5,000 sqm site in Riyadh, modelling a mixed-use development including co-working spaces, serviced apartments, and ground-floor retail/F&B to evaluate density, capex, and occupancy for optimal configuration.

•Developed scenario-based financial models assessing ROI, capex, occupancy, and market trends to recommend the optimal strategic path for an underperforming hotel in Makkah.

•Delivered a feasibility study for 3 land assets in Taif, Jeddah, and Riyadh, evaluating development potential for a warehousing facility through market benchmarking and site analysis (SWOT) of comparable developments within 5 km, 10 km, and 20 km radii.

Key Achievements

→Identified mixed-use configuration as the most commercially viable development for a 5,000 sqm Riyadh site, which was adopted by the client as the strategic basis for their next stage of planning.

→Evaluated development configurations based on occupancy, ROI, density, and capex requirements to provide a structured decision-making tool for high-stakes real estate investments.

Financial ModelingSWOT AnalysisMarket BenchmarkingFeasibility Study

Jun 2025 – Sep 2025

WORK

Marketing Associate

Dubbix

Analyzed user behavior via Hotjar and optimized Google Ads CTR from 2.2% to 3.1%, while reducing cost per click. Tracked enterprise search visibility and organic social media performance using Google Search Console and Publer. Developed and executed a Reddit stealth marketing strategy, increasing brand awareness across targeted communities.

•Analyzed user behavior via Hotjar and optimized Google Ads CTR from 2.2% to 3.1%, while reducing cost per click.

•Tracked enterprise search visibility and organic social media performance using Google Search Console and Publer.

•Developed and executed a Reddit stealth marketing strategy, increasing brand awareness across targeted communities.

Key Achievements

→Optimized Google Ads CTR from 2.2% to 3.1%

HotjarGoogle AdsGoogle Search ConsolePublerReddit Stealth Marketing

Mar 2024 – Jun 2024

CONTRACT

Consultant

Global Partners Digital

Conducted psychosocial needs assessment across partner organizations in 5 countries via 15 Zoom interviews, coding responses in Excel to identify 7 recurring gaps and delivering findings within a 3-month timeline. Designed a needs assessment template mapped to the Core Humanitarian Standard, adopted by GPD for all future projects and cutting setup time by an estimated 40%. Audited 60% of compliance documentation, including HR manuals and labor law records and compiling a gap analysis between organizational practices and the regulations.

•Conducted psychosocial needs assessment across partner organizations in 5 countries via 15 Zoom interviews, coding responses in Excel to identify 7 recurring gaps and delivering findings within a 3-month timeline.

•Designed a needs assessment template mapped to the Core Humanitarian Standard, adopted by GPD for all future projects and cutting setup time by an estimated 40%.

•Audited 60% of compliance documentation, including HR manuals and labor law records and compiling a gap analysis between organizational practices and the regulations.

Key Achievements

→Identified 7 recurring gaps across 5 countries

→Cut setup time by an estimated 40% through template design

→Audited 60% of compliance documentation

ExcelZoomCore Humanitarian Standard

Jul 2023 – Aug 2023

INTERNSHIP

Audit and Assurance Intern

Yousuf Adil Deloitte

Audited the Administrative Expenses and Cash and Bank accounts of Master Foam collectively worth more than PKR 415 million. Ensured 100% transaction occurrence by vouching Administrative Expenses across 12 categories, against supporting vouchers. Improved accuracy by reconciling ledger balances with bank statements & resolving discrepancies through reconciliation statements. Conducted variance analysis, assisting inquiry meetings to validate and document explanations in CaseWare working papers.

•Audited the Administrative Expenses and Cash and Bank accounts of Master Foam collectively worth more than PKR 415 million.

•Ensured 100% transaction occurrence by vouching Administrative Expenses across 12 categories, against supporting vouchers.

•Improved accuracy by reconciling ledger balances with bank statements & resolving discrepancies through reconciliation statements.

•Conducted variance analysis, assisting inquiry meetings to validate and document explanations in CaseWare working papers.

Key Achievements

→Audited accounts worth more than PKR 415 million

→Ensured 100% transaction occurrence

CaseWareAudit VouchingVariance AnalysisBank Reconciliation

Sep 2021 – Aug 2023

WORK

Founder

Kumhaar

Social enterprise empowering women artisans through a sustainable pottery venture, focusing on optimized unit economics and flexible work models.

•Founded a pottery venture for women, utilizing cost-based pricing, based on vendor margins, logistics costs, and perceived value.

•Enabled college-going artisans, offering flexible work arrangements that supplemented their income without disrupting their studies.

•Negotiated 20% cost reduction and discounted courier rates by consolidating shipments, improving margins without raising prices.

Key Achievements

→Negotiated 20% cost reduction and discounted courier rates by consolidating shipments, improving unit economics and venture sustainability.

→Maintained affordable pricing for customers while ensuring flexible income for college-going women artisans.

→20% reduction in logistics costs

Cost-based PricingLogistics ManagementVendor Management

Project Portfolio

PERSONAL

Present

Financial Analysis of Engro Fertilizers

Financial Analyst

Analyzed financial performance of Engro Fertilizers using Excel for ratio calculations and Python to automate data cleaning and pattern recognition across multiple periods, reducing manual errors.

PythonExcelFinancial Ratio AnalysisTime Series AnalysisCross Sectional Analysis

Education

Aug 2021 – Jun 2025

BSc (Honours)

Lahore University of Management SciencesSpecialization in Accounting and Finance

GPA: 3.5 / 4

Relevant Coursework

Business Data ManagementComputer and Problem Solving

Societies & Activities

LUMS Society of Professional AccountancyTEDx LUMS

Impact & Recognition

Awards

A-Level Institution

100% Merit Scholarship in A-Level

Examination Board

Gold Medalist in O-Level and A-Level

Debating Society

Best Speaker Award in Mock Parliamentary Debate

Governance & Advisory

TEDx LUMSFeb 2023 – May 2023

Marketing Team Member

OTHER

Assisted in executing TEDx LUMS as part of the marketing team by optimizing audience targeting and messaging.

LUMS Society of Professional AccountancySep 2022 – May 2023

Assistant Director Finance

OTHER

Managed PKR 150,000 in sponsorship funds for mega events, ensuring profitability by exceeding the breakeven point.

Social Impact & Activities

Local Orphanage

Organizer

Organized a charity bake sale, raising PKR 25,000+ which was donated to a local orphanage supporting underprivileged children.

EngagementORGANIZER

Vision & Goals

Core Drivers

What are my motivations

Leading high-impact business development strategies

Building strategic partnerships from the ground up

Scaling ventures through analytical rigor and negotiation

Skills & Interests

Excel

TOOL

Word

TOOL

Visual Basic for Application (VBA)

TECHNICAL

Python

TECHNICAL

SQL

TECHNICAL

RStudio

TECHNICAL

Areas of Expertise

Analytical Thinking

Team Leadership

Communication

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