Haniya completed her Bachelor’s in Economics in 2025, graduating top of her class. Her thesis, “Decomposing the Gender Gap in Time Poverty: An Intersectional Analysis for Pakistan,” examined how hidden inequalities act as barriers to human potential, expanding how poverty is defined and who is included in policymaking.

She deepened her passion for development while interning at the Ministry of Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives and the Ministry of Finance, gaining practical insights into economic policy and development planning. To connect policy with lived realities, Haniya has worked with leading national nonprofits in education equality; these experiences inspired her to start her own initiative.

She is the co-founder of The Empowerment Curve, a community-driven initiative designing solutions to social and developmental challenges. Its flagship project, The Learning Mosaic Initiative, introduces emotional literacy and early childhood education interventions to under-resourced preschools and trains teachers to sustain the model.

Whether through econometric models, youth empowerment, or public dialogue, Haniya is committed to building systems that unlock human potential and spark ripple effects of change. With this vision in mind, she is pulled towards enhancing her understanding and capabilities in the art of international and economic development. Outside of work, she explores creative expression through writing, painting, and cooking.