Zannat is a principal consultant at Agora Global, a think- and do-tank specialising in systemic approaches to inclusive development. Agora Global is helping asset managers and asset owners go beyond firm-level results and aim for systemic impact and has recently partnered with the Bertha Centre at the University of Cape Town and FCDO to launch the Systemic Impact Investing Standard.

Zannat brings over 15 years of experience in supporting businesses and governments in emerging markets using a systems approach. She has been at the forefront of market systems development and has a rare range of implementation experience across many of the world’s leading programmes. She worked with major development consultancies such as Palladium, Swisscontact, Tetra Tech and Mott Macdonald before joining the world of impact investing leading program and impact management for Impact Investment Exchange (IIX). Zannat is now leading Agora’s sustainable finance portfolio which includes Technical Assistance to impact funds and the design and evaluation of innovative finance initiatives for bi-lateral donors, DFIs and investors including but not limited to FCDO, SIDA, SDC, UNCDF, FSDA, Mastercard Foundation, family foundations and private impact funds.

Zannat brings a unique blend of hands-on experience and analytical rigor. Having worked closely with businesses in emerging markets and different types of capital providers, she believes that genuine impact is only possible when asset allocators take the time to understand the context. She wants to help investors ask better questions and design better solutions to create substantial, scalable, and sustainable impact.