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Ziad Haider

Partner, Global Director of Geopolitical RiskSingapore

Counsels boards and leaders of multinational corporations on how to manage geopolitical risks

Ziad leads the firm’s internal efforts on managing geopolitical risk; counsels our clients on how to build out capabilities and frameworks to understand, monitor, and mitigate geopolitical risks; and is one of the firm’s principal thought leaders around building geopolitical resilience.

Prior to joining McKinsey, Haider served in a range of senior roles in the US government, supporting US businesses globally on managing market access, political, and regulatory risks, and conducting strategic planning around Asia and geo-economics.

He previously practiced international law specializing in sanctions and investment disputes and worked with human rights organizations across Asia. His writings on international affairs have appeared in Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, and the Nikkei Asia among others.

Haider serves on the board of advisors of the International Rescue Committee, a leading global humanitarian and development organization, and is a senior advisor with the Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS).

Proficient in Mandarin and fluent in Urdu, Haider grew up in Karachi, Pakistan, and is an avid squash and guitar player.

Published work

Helping boards manage geopolitical risk with Jon Huntsman Jr.” McKinsey & Company, July 2024

Can your company remain global and if so, how?,” McKinsey Quarterly, May 2024

Geopolitics and the geometry of global trade,” McKinsey & Company, January 2024

Boards can guide companies through geopolitical headwinds,” McKinsey & Company, November 2023

Geopolitical resilience: The new board imperative,” McKinsey & Company, August 2023

The McKinsey Podcast: Geopolitical risk: Navigating a world in flux,” McKinsey & Company, March 2023

How three global companies navigate geopolitical risk to build resilience,” McKinsey & Company, March 2023

Black swans, gray rhinos, and silver linings: Anticipating geopolitical risks (and openings),” McKinsey & Company, February 2023

How to build geopolitical resilience amid a fragmenting global order,” McKinsey & Company, September 2022

How companies can manage geopolitical risk,” McKinsey & Company, July 2021

Past experience

U.S. Department of State
Special representative, commercial and business affairs
Senior advisor, policy planning staff, office of the secretary of state

U.S. Department of Justice
White House fellow, office of the deputy attorney general

US Senate
Legislative aide, foreign policy

US House of Representatives
Professional staff, Committee on Homeland Security

World Bank
Senior consultant

White & Case
Attorney

Education

Harvard Kennedy School
MPA

Georgetown University
JD

Yale University
BA, political science