At the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), our policies and strategies show our clear corporate commitment regarding gender. Our Corporate Strategy for 2021-2030 and our Environmental and Social Framework acknowledge the importance of gender equality in sustainable economic development. AIIB’s Gender Action Plan, released in September 2024, reiterated how gender considerations must be addressed in AIIB’s investments so that adverse impacts on gender are identified and everyone can access the benefits from infrastructure development, with specific mention of maximizing benefits for women whenever possible. In his foreword, AIIB President Jin Liqun said, “Gender inclusion is the essential foundation that enables AIIB’s development mission.”
AIIB also makes it a point to practice gender considerations at the corporate level. We believe that increased gender diversity in our institution can provide a competitive advantage and a source of innovation. Diversity can bring different perspectives and ideas, fostering creativity and problem-solving, and enhancing our Bank’s agility to respond to the needs of our Members in Asia and beyond.
“At AIIB, we are committed to providing our women staff with the support and resources they need,” said Asma Shaikh, Acting Vice President and Chief Administration Officer and concurrently, Director General of AIIB’s Human Resources Department. The number of women working in AIIB as professional staff has been steadily rising, from just 18 in 2016 to 263 by the end of 2024, or 42% of the total number of professional staff.
“We are encouraging more women to seek career opportunities with us and contribute to building Infrastructure for Tomorrow for everyone,” Shaikh added. “Let us all help improve the lives of our fellow women here in Asia and across the world.”
We spoke with three women who hold key roles in the Bank. Senior Investment Officers Mehek Marwaha and Suzanne Shaw and Investment Associate Nia Beria share their stories and experiences in their careers in infrastructure finance.
Mehek Marwaha, Senior Investment Officer – Public Sectors Clients Department Region 2
Q: What motivated you to pursue a career in infrastructure finance, and how did you join AIIB?
Mehek: I have always been passionate about the role of infrastructure in economic development and its impact on communities. My journey into infrastructure finance was driven by a desire to contribute to sustainable and inclusive growth. Joining AIIB was a natural step after my extensive experience in the project finance space, given the Bank’s commitment to financing projects that promote connectivity, resilience, and innovation in infrastructure.
Suzanne: I wanted to leverage my technical background in energy and knowledge of finance to contribute to meaningful outcomes. There is a clear link between energy and other infrastructure and economic development and what better way to influence the infrastructure landscape than through finance—any technically viable project still requires finance to become a reality.
I come from a developing country, so being able to foster economic development is doubly meaningful to me. I joined AIIB because of its core focus on infrastructure finance, but also its focus on sustainability as an integral part of infrastructure development. I was also attracted by the fact that AIIB was (and is) a growing organization offering unique opportunities to contribute to the development of the organization itself.
Nia: I have always been motivated to work in development finance, where I could see the tangible impact of my work. Infrastructure finance, in particular, stood out to me because it directly contributes to economic growth and improves the quality of life for millions of people.
The ability to finance critical projects—such as transportation, energy, and urban development—makes a real difference in communities, and this motivates me to continue working. I joined AIIB more than three years ago through the standard application process. When I received the offer, I didn’t hesitate to accept the opportunity, as I saw it as a chance to grow both professionally and personally while contributing to impactful projects.
Nia Beria, Investment Associate - Project and Corporate Finance Clients Department, Global
Q: What are some of the most exciting projects you’ve worked on, and how do they align with AIIB’s mission to finance Infrastructure for Tomorrow?
Mehek: Some of the most fulfilling projects I have worked on include financing sustainable energy or renewable energy initiatives, cross-border transport connectivity projects, and healthcare and emergency response projects that help our Members in times of crisis. These projects align closely with AIIB’s mission to develop forward-looking infrastructure that enhances economic opportunities and promotes environmental sustainability.
Suzanne: One exciting project I worked on was a project to support universal energy access in Rwanda. It was AIIB’s first infrastructure project in Rwanda, and a hugely impactful one. The project will increase electricity access in Rwanda from 66% to 100% and provide clean cooking solutions to 80,000 households and 60 schools under the government’s school-feeding program. It will not only improve lives through greater energy access but also provide health and climate change benefits since it will enable renewable energy to replace unsustainable sources such as diesel, kerosene, and firewood.
Nia: One of the most exciting projects I’ve worked on was AIIB’s investment in Georgia Capital’s sustainability-linked bond transaction. This was a landmark deal—the largest issuance and also AIIB’s first bond investment into the local capital market—demonstrating AIIB’s commitment to mobilizing private capital for sustainable infrastructure.
Our participation supported a successful placement of the bond that contributes to climate mitigation and encourages the participation of institutional and retail investors in the local capital market. The transaction directly supported greenhouse gas emissions reduction and renewable energy assets, aligning perfectly with AIIB’s mission to finance the infrastructure of tomorrow. By promoting green finance and supporting the ESG-labeled bond, the project contributed to Georgia’s energy transition and set a precedent for future sustainable investments in the region.
Suzanne Shaw, Senior Investment Officer - Financial Institutions and Funds Clients Department, Global
Q: Infrastructure finance is traditionally male-dominated. Can you talk about some of your challenges as a woman in this industry?
Mehek: One of the biggest challenges has been overcoming biases and establishing credibility in a space where women are often underrepresented. Navigating high-stakes negotiations and ensuring my voice is heard at decision-making tables has required resilience and confidence. However, the increasing recognition of diversity in leadership is opening new doors for women in infrastructure finance.
Suzanne: It’s not uncommon for me to be the only woman, or in the minority, in the room—whether in meetings or when visiting project sites. I wouldn’t say this is a challenge in and of itself, but you need to be comfortable being who you are, and as in any situation, you need to be able to read the room to determine the most effective way to communicate.
Nia: Infrastructure finance has traditionally been a male-dominated field, but the landscape is changing. More and more women are entering the industry, which is encouraging. While there is still progress to be made in achieving greater gender balance, the increased representation of women in leadership and technical roles is a positive sign and becomes an example for younger generations. I think it is important to continue to encourage female professionals to pursue careers in infrastructure finance and support them to thrive in their careers.
Q: In what ways do you think women bring a unique perspective to investment operations or infrastructure finance?
Mehek: I believe that women bring a collaborative approach, a strong focus on long-term sustainability, and a keen awareness of social impacts in investment decisions.
Suzanne: I think, generally speaking, women are skilled at grasping the various issues and perspectives of different stakeholders and striking a balance to identify a jointly accepted way forward. In infrastructure projects, where you may have many different stakeholders at the table or involved in the transaction at some point—e.g., private sector, government, financiers, nongovernment organizations—the ability to identify and bring stakeholders to a point of common ground despite differing views is a particularly valuable skill that is sometimes crucial to enable projects to move forward.
Nia: Women often bring a unique and valuable perspective to investment operations by fostering more holistic, inclusive, and long-term approaches to investments. We often emphasize sustainability, risk management, and the social impact of projects, ensuring that infrastructure investments benefit not just economies but also communities.
Q: How has AIIB supported your growth and success as a woman in infrastructure finance?
Mehek: AIIB has given me opportunities to lead complex transactions and engage with diverse stakeholders in multiple jurisdictions, helping me build expertise and confidence in my role. AIIB has also been instrumental in fostering an inclusive and supportive work environment. The institution prioritizes diversity, mentorship, and leadership development so that women have access to opportunities for growth and advancement.
Suzanne: I participated as a mentee in AIIB’s Women Mentorship program, and this afforded me a great opportunity to connect with and learn from a senior female colleague who I may not otherwise have had the opportunity to build a relationship with. Thanks to this relationship, I was able to gain additional perspectives and insight from someone with greater experience and this has helped me navigate both challenges as well as opportunities, whether personal or professional.
Nia: Since joining AIIB, I have had the opportunity to work on projects across different geographies and infrastructure sectors, which has broadened my perspective and deepened my understanding of the industry. From one project to another I was taking on more responsibilities, strengthening my confidence as a professional and reinforcing my ability to navigate complex transactions.
AIIB has been a great place for my career growth, providing space where I feel both challenged and empowered to pursue my professional goals. The Bank fosters a culture of support and inclusion, ensuring that staff contributions to the Bank’s mission are valued and acknowledged. Despite my relatively short tenure yet, I progressed in my career, which has been incredibly motivating.
Q: What qualities do you think are most important for women to succeed in this industry, and how can institutions like AIIB help cultivate those qualities?
Mehek: Tenacity, adaptability, and strategic thinking are crucial for success in infrastructure finance. Institutions like AIIB can further cultivate these qualities by offering leadership training, fostering mentorship networks, and ensuring that women have equal opportunities to contribute to high-impact projects.
There is significant room for growth in ensuring that women have equitable access to leadership roles and career advancement opportunities. More structured sponsorship, targeted career development pathways, and greater representation in senior decision-making positions would further strengthen AIIB’s commitment to gender diversity.
Suzanne: They have to be able to take ownership and drive projects forward, whether as a team leader or a member of the team; build strong relationships with clients, cofinancers, project stakeholders and across the industry; and communicate with confidence.
AIIB helps cultivate ownership and relationship-building by providing opportunities at all levels of seniority to lead specific tasks or deliverables. It can be through leading an entire transaction or individual work streams, which helps build ownership and gradually increases experience in these areas. AIIB also helps cultivate all these qualities by providing tailored training and mentorship to women within the organization.
Nia: To succeed in infrastructure finance, women need to be curious, bold, patient, and unafraid to ask questions. Curiosity drives continuous learning and innovation, courage to ask questions ensures that stakeholders are on the same page, while boldness ensures that one can take initiative and navigate complex transactions with confidence.
Patience is essential, as infrastructure projects are long-term and often require navigating challenges along the way. For me, AIIB plays a crucial role in cultivating these qualities by fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for female professionals, encouraging open dialogue, providing mentorship, and creating opportunities for professional growth.
At AIIB, we are committed to empowering women by providing a platform for meaningful careers and the support they need to thrive in infrastructure finance. As we continue to drive gender inclusion in our workforce, we invite women professionals to explore opportunities with us. To further this conversation, AIIB will be conducting a webinar on “Virtual Career Fair: AIIB's Women in Investment Operations” on March 27, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. (Beijing time, GMT+8). Co-hosted by Impactpool, this virtual event is an opportunity for women across different career levels to learn more about career opportunities in AIIB and our vision for a more inclusive future in infrastructure finance. Register here
We look forward to connecting with talented women ready to make a lasting impact!
