Syed Saleem

Building bridges between American and Pakistani enterprise

Syed Saleem is the Founding Chairman of the Institute. An entrepreneur and business development leader based in the Washington, D.C. region, he has built a career across logistics, technology, and international trade, guided by one goal: deeper economic ties and stronger connections between people in the United States and Pakistan.

Mr. Saleem has founded and led two U.S. companies. His Maryland logistics company operates three warehouses and can fulfill more than 500,000 orders a month. His second company uses technology to help Pakistani entrepreneurs grow and reach new markets.

He led business development for a trade forum between the United States and Pakistan, partnering with chamber of commerce leaders to build trade links between Georgia, Maryland, and Pakistan. On Capitol Hill, he took part in the U.S. Pakistan Symposium hosted by Representatives Tom Suozzi and Jack Bergman, who lead the Congressional Pakistan Caucus as its chairs. He has discussed trade and ties between people with Senator Chris Van Hollen, joined a delegation on cooperation between Georgia and Pakistan with Senator Jon Ossoff, and explored economic and diplomatic opportunities with Maryland Governor Wes Moore.

Mr. Saleem is currently working closely with a federally chartered university in Pakistan and one of the leading information technology schools in the United States to bring AI and technology education to Pakistan. He also advises Zypher Electric Vehicles, an electric vehicle startup in Peshawar, on business development, and he supported an ICT and ecommerce initiative that taught digital skills to young women in Karachi.

An engineer by training, he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering and Industrial Management from Politecnico di Torino in Italy on an EDISU Piemonte scholarship, and he is now pursuing an MBA in the United States. In 2024, he received the Outstanding Leadership Award at the CXO 2.0 Conference in Las Vegas.

As Founding Chairman, Mr. Saleem is building a Washington institution that is independent, rigorous, and focused on results. The Institute will bring together policymakers, business leaders, entrepreneurs, and the Pakistani American community to advance informed dialogue, lasting economic partnerships, and the development of future leaders in relations between the United States and Pakistan.