Jury Member
Fariel Salahuddin
2019 fellow | 2022 Impact Awardee | Founder and CEO, UpTrade
SOUTH ASIA AND CENTRAL ASIA
Fariel Salahuddin
Fariel Salahuddin is the Founder and CEO of UpTrade, an impact business that enables farmers to use livestock and produce as currency. She is a thought leader in inclusive financial mechanisms and a committed supporter of women impact entrepreneurs.
Fariel founded UpTrade to address barriers faced by smallholder farmers, pioneering a model that allows communities to exchange livestock and produce as alternative currency. Her work has received global recognition for commercial innovation and social impact, including acknowledgment from the World Economic Forum, international media, and academic institutions.
She is an active member of the Cartier Women’s Initiative community, serving as Jury President, a 2019 regional fellow, and a 2021 Impact Awardee. Fariel is also a TED Fellow and a sought-after speaker on her mission for more inclusive alternative currency mechanisms. Beyond her entrepreneurial journey, she contributes her expertise as a board member of publicly listed companies in Pakistan and advises governments on agriculture and alternative currency policies. Through her leadership, Fariel continues to expand access to financial tools that strengthen rural economies and promote sustainable development.