Abbas Ali completed his MBA with a focus in marketing from the Institute of Business Administration, Punjab University, Pakistan; he also completed several courses in business development at the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS). Prior to joining the Institute, Abbas has worked within the Aga Khan Development Network in the following positions: Head of the Internal Audit Department at AKU, Pakistan; Coordinator for the AKDN Group Purchase Programme, AKU Hospital, Northern Areas, Pakistan; and, Marketing Lead with the Aga Khan Trust for Culture supported Karakoram Handicrafts Programme in the Northern Areas, Pakistan. Abbas has also served as a member of the Aga Khan Social Welfare Board (Northern Areas, Pakistan) and President of the Altit Youth Social Welfare Association. Abbas enjoys reading and swimming.