Guest bio
- Journalist, entrepreneur and founder of theZVG, whose ventures build networks for Africa's creative economy.
- Spent 14 years at CNN, travelling the world as State Department correspondent and anchoring World One and Your World Today.
- Born in Nairobi and educated in Montreal and Oxford, she began as a radio DJ in Kenya before joining CNN in 2000.
Zain Verjee is a journalist, entrepreneur and global communicator. Born in Nairobi and educated in Montreal and Oxford, she began as a radio DJ in Kenya, reported on the 1998 US Embassy bombing in Nairobi and joined CNN in 2000. As State Department correspondent she travelled the world with Condoleezza Rice and reported on moments including the fall of Muammar Gaddafi, winning awards for her coverage, and she anchored CNN's World One and Your World Today. After 14 years at CNN she founded theZVG, whose ventures, including aKoma Media and Amplify, build networks for Africa's creative economy and have worked with organisations such as Bloomberg and the UN. She is an Executive Fellow at Harvard's Tech for All Lab and an advocate for gender parity and authentic leadership.
Show notes
In this captivating episode of Money Majlis, the spotlight shines on Zain Verjee, a formidable journalist, entrepreneur, and global communicator whose inspiring journey bridges continents, cultures, and industries.
From her early days as a radio DJ in Nairobi to becoming a respected CNN anchor covering some of the most consequential global events of our time, Zain's story is one of relentless curiosity, courage, and reinvention. She candidly shares how witnessing the 1998 U.S. Embassy bombing in Nairobi propelled her into hard news, setting the stage for a remarkable international career that saw her report on world-changing moments and leaders, including Condoleezza Rice and the fall of Muammar Gaddafi.
But Zain’s journey didn’t stop at journalism. After 14 years at CNN, she redirected her passion towards entrepreneurial ventures amplifying African voices on the global stage. As founder of theZVG and pioneering platforms like aKoma Media and Amplify, she has tirelessly championed Africa’s rich, multifaceted creative economy and challenged prevailing stereotypes. Her work seamlessly integrates AI ethics and innovative storytelling, informed by her role as an Executive Fellow at Harvard’s Tech for All Lab.
Zain reflects on the evolving landscape of media in the age of social media and AI, weighing the unprecedented challenges of misinformation against new opportunities for empowerment and trust-building. She also offers powerful insights on leadership, gender parity, and the importance of authenticity and empathy in communication. With her deep roots in Africa and her vast global experiences, Zain bridges worlds - advocating for a richer, more honest narrative for the continent while inspiring women leaders worldwide.
Join Suvo Sarkar as he dives deep into Zain Verjee’s extraordinary career, her visionary media ventures, and her thoughtful predictions on the future of journalism and technology. This episode promises to enlighten, provoke, and inspire listeners eager to understand the complex interplay of media, global economics, and transformative leadership today.
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