⚽️ Professional Football Player | 🇵🇰 Pakistan WNT
Player in USA 🇺🇸 UAE 🇦🇪 KSA 🇸🇦 PAK 🇵🇰 | 🎤 Speaker | 💪🏼 Championing Females in Sports
🌟 Advocate for Youth Development in Football & Positive Body Image
Maria’s story is one of bold ambition, relentless drive, and a deep desire to make an impact across industries. Her journey, from the fast-paced world of finance to a groundbreaking career at one of the world’s leading automotive giants, is nothing short of inspiring for the next generation.Born with an unstoppable spirit, Maria set the foundation for her future by pursuing higher education with a laser focus on international business. She kicked off her academic journey at the University of Denver - Daniels College of Business, where she earned a Bachelor's Degree in International Business with a stellar 3.91 GPA. Not one to shy away from competition, Maria was also a standout athlete, representing the University of Denver Women’s Soccer Team at the varsity level in Division I. Her excellence in both academics and sports earned her prestigious recognition as a University of Denver Puksta Scholar. Her time at Denver didn’t just see her excelling in the classroom and on the field – Maria was also deeply involved in the Center for Community Engagement & Service Learning, where she honed her passion for social impact.
With her sights set on taking her expertise to the global stage, Maria pursued a Master’s Degree in International Business at Hult International Business School. Graduating with distinction, she was recognized as part of the Dean’s List and developed a keen interest in youth development through sports, engaging in independent study projects focused on this very theme. At Hult, Maria sharpened her understanding of international markets, setting the stage for her future career. After graduating, Maria launched her professional journey in the heart of Dubai, an international hub for finance and commerce. Her first role was as a Product Development Executive at Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), where she quickly made her mark by developing business plans for new products and managing projects. With her sharp eye for detail and ability to forge relationships, Maria helped elevate DMCC’s reputation, bringing in new customers and strengthening ties with key stakeholders.
Her next leap was into the world of business development at AFGS, where she worked with the company’s team to secure multi-million-dollar bids for entities like the United Nations and the United States Department of Defense. Maria’s focus was on logistic services in conflict zones, including Afghanistan and Iraq, where her ability to analyze pricing spreadsheets and assess key personnel was crucial for the company’s success.
But it was at Ford Motor Company where Maria’s career truly accelerated. Her first role at Ford was as a Senior Financial Analyst, where she worked with the Middle East and Africa (MEA) team to deliver key financial reports, manage business plans, and ensure the company stayed aligned with global financial standards. She was known for her attention to detail, developing rigorous financial comparison analyses that helped shape Ford’s business strategies.
After excelling in this role, Maria was promoted to Finance & Insurance Manager. In this position, she was responsible for driving Ford’s performance across the MENA region. She introduced innovative Finance & Insurance Management processes and played a key role in developing marketing programs that boosted the company’s presence in markets like Morocco and Saudi Arabia. One of her standout achievements was maintaining a Customer Satisfaction Score of 87% in 2018, outperforming the target of 85%.
Maria’s dedication to social responsibility shone through when she led initiatives to develop young girls through the sport of football, earning her global recognition within Ford. Under her guidance, Ford’s retail financing product penetration surged to 46% of total retail sales in Morocco and KSA. Her final role at Ford, as International Markets Group Bank Alliance Manager, saw her leading Ford’s bank alliances throughout international markets. She was also part of a project team that developed eCommerce solutions for Ford’s International Market Groups, bringing cutting-edge consumer solutions to the automotive giant.
Maria’s story is about more than just corporate success; she’s passionate about making a difference in the world. Her involvement with youth development through sports – first seen in her independent study at Hult – continued throughout her career. From securing over $1 million in optimization opportunities for Environmental Learning for Kids (ELK) during her internship at the Denver Foundation to developing programs that help young girls thrive in football, Maria’s work has consistently focused on empowering future generations.
Maria’s journey is a masterclass in dedication, leadership, and the power of making bold moves. From earning top honors in her academic life to breaking barriers in traditionally male-dominated industries, she stands as a role model for young professionals. Whether it’s managing multi-million-dollar portfolios at Morgan Stanley, driving growth at Ford Motor Company, or spearheading programs that uplift communities, Maria’s career is proof that with the right mix of passion and hard work, there are no limits.
For the young generation looking for inspiration, Maria's story is a beacon of what can be achieved through grit, ambition, and the desire to create a positive impact on the world.
Social Media Handles:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariajamilakhan/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mkhan175/
Commentaires