I’m a graduate of Yale-NUS College—a unique liberal arts institution in Singapore jointly overseen by Yale University and the National University of Singapore—where I majored in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics.
Having lived in more than three countries, I bring a global perspective and a deep appreciation for multiculturalism in everything I do.
Professionally, I am a commodity trader at a leading trading house in Dubai, where I manage physical commodities and urea paper trades. Beyond trading, I also spearhead business diversification initiatives and support the incubation of tech start-ups. Before this, I worked at an American-British private intelligence firm, gaining invaluable exposure to international markets and risk analysis.
My passion for artificial intelligence runs deep; I’ve successfully harnessed AI to drive growth in my previous roles and am always exploring new opportunities in the tech space. I’m also an enthusiastic problem solver, particularly committed to addressing challenges posed by climate change. Additionally, I see enormous potential in e-commerce—especially in developing economies—and would love to discuss innovative strategies in that arena.
If you have ideas to collaborate on or simply want to connect, please reach out at zaki@aya.yale.edu or find me on LinkedIn. I look forward to hearing from you!
Work Experience
EDUCATION
