FARIHA ANSARI

Fariha has over 20 years of leadership experience across the finance, government, and insurance sectors in the US, Europe and APAC geographies. She is currently the Chief Strategy Officer at Toffee Insurance. Fariha also serves on the Alumni Board of Harvard Business School and the Harvard Business School Club of India Board. She has been the Founding Director at The Common Room a platform for new entrepreneurs supported by patrons like Lightspeed, Sequoia, Matrix Partners, etc. In her previous role as Advisor for India at the Republic of Turkey Prime Ministry (ISPAT), she was responsible for all foreign direct investments from India to Turkey. She has been pivotal in improving the visibility of Turkey’s economy and investment climate to Indian investors. From 2011 - 2016, she has formulated and implemented the strategy for Turkey to attract investors from India. She has been responsible for engaging and sustaining relationships with the leading Indian companies at the C level. She also has relationships with the leadership of the apex chambers of commerce in India. Fariha also identified emerging Indian companies with the capacity to invest overseas and encourages their interest in Turkey. She has successfully supported Indian investors in Turkey and promotes reinvestments. Fariha has participated in frequent speaking engagements across India in collaboration with the main Indian chambers of commerce. She has also liaised with other ministries in the Turkish government to support investments from India. Prior to moving to India in 2011, Fariha worked as an Underwriter for AIG Global Marine and Energy in New York City from 2003 to 2008. She focused on providing US oil, petrochemical, chemical, and pharmaceutical companies with insurance for their international assets and the reinsurance placements in the international markets. Thereafter, she joined Zurich Insurance Services in New York City as Manager for International Property Business (IPB). She managed a team of 8 underwriters and a multi-Billion dollar portfolio for US clients with international property across all sectors. Fariha is an alumnus of Harvard Business School and has a Bachelor of Arts from Mount Holyoke College in International Relations and Economics. Fariha is also a founding member of Womensphere Global Network.