East Meets West: Pakistani Professional Journeys
§ The goal of this podcast is to provide stories and experiences of Pakistani professionals in their respective industries and to allow listeners to be more informed of their field of interest.
§ A common connection being Pakistani roots allows for relatable stories for individuals who are looking to grow in their profession or simply want to learn more about a particular field.
§ There will be no industry left untouched from start-ups, traditional careers paths or newer outlets such as podcasts, YouTube or side hustles. Join me as we explore the various careers that Pakistani professionals are working at in the West.
East Meets West: Pakistani Professional Journeys
S3 EP 6 | Global Head Corporate Insurance At AIG | ft. Ammad Mahmood
In this episode of the East Meets West Pakistani Professional Journeys Podcast, we sit down with Ammad Mahmood, a Cornell MBA graduate and current Global Head of Corporate Insurance at AIG. Ammad shares his inspiring journey from growing up in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, to moving to the U.S. at age 13, and ultimately building a successful career in corporate insurance. He discusses the challenges of adjusting to life in the U.S., the importance of finding a support system, and key career strategies such as continuously learning from peers and mentors. Ammad also delves into the dynamics of advancing within large firms like NASDAQ and Aon, the significance of balancing confidence with humility, and the value of being a hard worker in achieving professional growth. Tune in to gain valuable career insights and hear Ammad’s advice for young professionals navigating similar paths.
00:00 Guest Intro: Ammad Mahmood
01:31 Early Life in Pakistan
02:26 Fond Memories and Love for Cricket
03:29 Food and Travel Adventures in Pakistan
05:33 Key Connections And Figures
06:29 Challenges of Moving to the U.S.
06:42 Adjusting to American Schools
07:54 Advice for Young Immigrants
10:29 Industry Selection
11:00 Breaking into the Finance Industry
12:13 Getting A Role at Nasdaq
13:44 Nasdaq Role - Temporary To Permanent
15:18 Experience at Aon
18:36 Advice to Work Towards A Promotion
20:15 Transition to VP At Goldman Sachs
23:20 Insights into the Insurance Industry - Corporate Insurance
25:34 Determining Interest In Industry
26:56 Finding a Niche and Building Expertise
28:00 Reflections on Success and Humility
30:18 Cultural Traits and Work Ethic