Sania Nishtar joined Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance as chief executive officer in March 2024. A trained medical doctor, Nishtar has built an outstanding career over 30 years as a national and global leader. She served as a senator in her home country of Pakistan; as special assistant to the Prime Minister on social protection and poverty alleviation; and as a federal minister with responsibility for re-establishing the country’s Ministry of Health.

Nishtar has fulfilled several leadership positions in civil society and international organisations; founded a health reform non-profit NGO think tank in Pakistan; co-authored dozens of academic papers and books; and published in leading newspapers. A graduate of Khyber Medical College and King’s College London, she has received many international awards; in 2020, the BBC named her among 100 inspiring and influential women around the world.