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I am honoured to be entrusted with the responsibility of heading Beaconhouse National University (BNU).
BNU has already had an incredible journey under luminaries like Mr. Sartaj Aziz and Mr. Shahid Kardar, both of whom invested nearly a decade each in making the university what it is today.
As Vice Chancellor, I am committed to advancing the vision and mission of the university. My role is to learn and seek counsel from our esteemed faculty and colleagues, as well as our community of past and present students, to make informed decisions in the best interest of the university. Our collective goal is a simple one: to make BNU the leading institution among its peers and a globally recognised hub of excellence.
We are working diligently to identify students with the potential to benefit from the BNU experience and equip them with the tools to become responsible and caring citizens and leaders in their respective professional fields. We will always seek to build synergies, not only within BNU but with peer institutions in Pakistan and abroad, and to build an intellectual environment where both teaching and research thrive – in ways that contribute to a prosperous, just and sustainable society in Pakistan.
As Pakistan’s first not-for-profit liberal arts university, BNU recognizes its responsibility to shape the future of our upcoming generation. The entire BNU community is committed to preparing our students for whatever tomorrow may bring. I wish to see each of them make us proud – in whatever they do and wherever they go.
Vice Chancellor, BNU
Dr. Peter W. Demuth is a distinguished Clinical Psychologist and Jungian Analyst, operating Demuth Psychological Services in Evanston, Illinois. With a Doctorate from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology and an MS in Psychology from Loyola University, Baltimore, Dr. Demuth brings over three decades of expertise to his private practice. His extensive career includes roles such as Chief Forensic Psychologist and Director of Clinical Training at the Elgin Mental Health Center, as well as Senior Forensic Psychologist at the Crownsville Hospital Center. A seasoned educator, he currently serves as an Instructor at the CG Jung Institute of Chicago. Beyond his clinical work, Dr. Demuth is a prolific singer-songwriter, having crafted over 150 original folk-pop compositions and recorded 8 full-length albums. His major interests span psychopathy, Jungian complexes, the insanity defense, hypnosis, music composition, Buddhism, and baseball. With a deep commitment to fostering psychological health and wholeness, Dr. Demuth offers specialized expertise in forensics, personality disorders, dream interpretation, hypnosis, and mythology.
LinkedIn: Dr. Peter Demuth
Lori Day, AIA, LEED AP, serves as a Design Principal at JGMA in Chicago, IL, bringing 25 years of diverse experience across K12, higher education, residential, and community-based projects. Renowned for her leadership in designing and implementing award-winning projects, Lori seamlessly integrates creativity, technical expertise, and a profound understanding of human behavior into her work, stemming from her background in fine art and unwavering passion for design. Actively contributing to the architectural community, she holds a pivotal role on the AIA Chicago Board of Directors and spearheads initiatives as Co-chair of the AIA Chicago Design Knowledge Committee, organizing educational building tours and promoting design excellence. Lori's influence extends beyond AIA, with involvement in organizations like the Gene Siskel Film Center Advisory Board, Chicago Professional Women in Construction, and Chicago Women in Architecture. Committed to fostering an inclusive design culture, Lori Day continues to shape the architectural landscape with her transformative approach to design.
LinkedIn: Lori Day, AIA, LEED AP Web: Lori Day
William is the Managing General Partner of Orbit Startups, the pioneering and enduring emerging and frontier market startup program boasting over US$180 million in assets under management. Orbit specializes in investing in startups leveraging technology to drive impactful change in sustainability, digital transformation of traditional industries, and economic empowerment across sectors like ecommerce, fintech, travel, media, health, education, and logistics in emerging and frontier markets spanning Southeast and South Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and LATAM. Offering comprehensive support for cross-border expansion, user acquisition, sales, partnerships, and fundraising, Orbit has been instrumental in helping its startups scale to an impressive 224 million monthly active users. William brings a wealth of experience to Orbit, having previously served as a founding Managing Director at SingTel Innov8 Ventures and as a Partner at Softbank China & India Holdings, where he led investments in Greater China and Southeast Asia. With a stellar track record in equity research, William was ranked #3 stock picker in Hong Kong/China and #1 for Technology, Media, and Telecom by Thomson Reuters Starmine, as well as #3 equity research analyst in Asia for Software and IT Services by Institutional Investor Magazine. Over the course of his career, William has made over 300 early-stage investments across various domains including blockchain, ecommerce, edtech, AI, mobility, media, and fintech, solidifying his reputation as a seasoned investor with a keen eye for promising ventures. He currently serves as a Director or Observer on the boards of several prominent startups and holds a BA from Bowdoin College.
Web: William Bao Bean
Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy is an acclaimed filmmaker and social activist, renowned for her groundbreaking work in shedding light on pressing social issues through the medium of documentary filmmaking. As a two-time Academy Award and Emmy Award-winning director, Sharmeen has garnered international acclaim for her powerful storytelling and unwavering commitment to human rights advocacy. Her documentaries tackle a range of topics including gender equality, honor killings, terrorism, and healthcare access, sparking crucial conversations and driving tangible change. Through her production company SOC Films, Sharmeen continues to produce impactful documentaries that amplify marginalized voices and challenge societal norms. Beyond filmmaking, she is a tireless advocate for women's rights and social justice, using her platform to effect meaningful change in Pakistan and beyond. Sharmeen's dedication to storytelling as a tool for social change has earned her numerous accolades, including the Hilal-e-Imtiaz, Pakistan's second-highest civilian honor, and a place on the TIME 100 list of the world's most influential people. She is a beacon of inspiration, courage, and resilience, inspiring generations to come through her transformative work.
Web: SOC Films
Heinz-Peter Elstrodt, PhD, is a distinguished figure in the realm of family businesses, serving as a guest lecturer on the subject at prestigious institutions like the London Business School and INSEAD. With a rich background in both academia and consultancy, Heinz-Peter brings invaluable insights to his roles as a board member of family firms and the Family Firm Institute (FFI), as well as his position as Director Emeritus at McKinsey & Company. During his illustrious tenure at McKinsey, which began in 1983, he played a pivotal role in establishing and leading the São Paulo office, co-founding it in 1988, and later overseeing the Latin American region from 2004 to 2011. Heinz-Peter's expertise extends globally, having built and led McKinsey’s global Family Business practice from 2011 to 2015, collaborating with leading family businesses worldwide and contributing extensively to research in partnership with institutions like the World Economic Forum (WEF). Post-retirement, he has dedicated himself to teaching, serving on boards, and advising in the domain of family firms, alongside venturing into impact investing focused on agriculture, sustainable finance, and environmental technology. Heinz-Peter holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Augsburg, Germany (1982), and a degree in Business Administration and Industrial Engineering from the University of Karlsruhe, Germany (1979). His extensive publication portfolio includes seminal works such as “The Five Attributes of Enduring Family Businesses” and “A Succession Memo to a Family-Business Founder,” showcasing his profound understanding of the intricate dynamics within family enterprises and emerging market economies alike.
Web: Heinz Peter Elstrodt LinkedIn: Heinz Peter Elstrodt
