Dr. Maliheh Paryavi is a Harvard Ph.D. behavioral economist, advisor, and thought leader on women’s leadership, economic empowerment, and thriving. With a rare ability to bridge multidimensional analysis, transformational insights, and strategic advising, she guides women trailblazers as they navigate transitions and pioneer lasting change.

As the creator of The Executive Elevator™, Dr. Paryavi designed a one-of-a-kind advising experience for mission-driven women leaders—elevating them to higher levels of clarity, thriving, and impact. She has advised a diverse portfolio of global executives, founders, and entrepreneurs, guiding them through pivotal transitions and expansive growth. Most recently, she has focused on advising women trailblazers in the GCC.

In addition to her advisory work, Dr. Paryavi is a respected voice in the global conversation on women’s leadership and economic empowerment. Her research has been published in peer-reviewed journals, contributing to the fields of behavioral and experimental economics, leadership decision-making, and women’s entreprenuership.

She is the host of The Dr. Maliheh Paryavi Podcast, featuring in-depth conversations with world-renowned pioneers, including the first female private space explorer, former senior advisor to President Obama, New York Times bestselling authors, and distinguished scholars and thought leaders. Her conversations illuminate the intersections of human development, leadership, and innovation—expanding the dialogue on women’s thriving.

Dr. Paryavi is also the author of The Womenifesto: A Call for Women to Remember, Come Together, and Birth a New World Order and the creator of Thrive Letters, a monthly publication where she provides inspired guidance to help women thrive and lead with greater clarity, unshakable confidence, and ease.

Additionally, spanning over two decades, Dr. Paryavi has worked extensively with the World Bank Group, advancing women’s entrepreneurship and economic empowerment, leading high-impact international teams, and tackling complex human and economic development challenges across multiple regions around the world.

She holds a Ph.D. in Political Economy and Government from Harvard University, with expertise in behavioral and experimental economics and gender differences in decision-making. She also earned a Master in Public Administration in International Development (MPA/ID) from the Harvard Kennedy School and undergraduate degrees in economics and finance from the University of Maryland, College Park. Dr. Paryavi has served as a Fellow at the Women and Public Policy Program at Harvard Kennedy School and was the Editor-in-Chief of the Women's Policy Journal of Harvard.

Today, Dr. Paryavi continues to shape the future of leadership and economic empowerment while equipping women with the insights and strategies to create lasting impact as powerful designers of our world.