Zahraa Saiyed
About Zahraa Saiyed
Zahraa Saiyed is a Board Director at the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute and a Senior Disaster Risk Consultant at The World Bank, with extensive experience in engineering and disaster risk reduction policy. She advocates for resilience and equity in public policy and empowers women in STEAM fields.
Work at EARTHQUAKE ENGINEERING RESEARCH INSTITUTE
Zahraa Saiyed serves as a Board Director at the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute, a position she has held since 2022. Her role involves overseeing initiatives related to earthquake engineering and policy. Previously, she was the Public Policy and Advocacy Co-Chair at the same institute from 2015 to 2021, where she contributed to shaping policies that address earthquake risks and resilience.
Current Role at WESTERN STATES SEISMIC POLICY COUNCIL
Zahraa Saiyed is a member of the Engineering, Construction, and Building Codes Committee at the Western States Seismic Policy Council. She has been in this role since 2019, focusing on enhancing building codes and construction practices to improve seismic resilience across western states.
Education and Expertise
Zahraa Saiyed has an extensive educational background. She is a Doctor of Law and Policy Candidate at Northeastern University. She holds a Master of Science in Architecture with a focus on Building Technology and Islamic Architecture from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Additionally, she has a Master of Engineering in Structural Engineering from MIT, a Bachelor of Architecture in Structural Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Bachelor of Architecture from Orta Doğu Teknik Üniversitesi.
Professional Experience and Consulting Work
Zahraa Saiyed has significant experience in disaster risk reduction and consulting. She has worked as a Senior Disaster Risk Consultant at The World Bank since 2020 and has been a Principal and Co-founder at Scyma Consulting LLC since 2016. Her previous roles include serving as a Senior Management Consultant at the Applied Technology Council and participating in various committees focused on infrastructure and research policy.
Advocacy and Research Focus
Zahraa Saiyed advocates for resilience, health, and well-being in public policy. Her research emphasizes social vulnerability and equity in disaster risk reduction policy. She is committed to empowering women in STEAM fields and engages in educational initiatives to promote dialogue and discourse in these areas.