Azam Owaisi was born and raised in the greater Chicago area. He is the CEO of GEA NAM, a $6 billion German engineering company specializing in process technology and equipment for various industries such as pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, chemicals, oil and gas, and others. He completed his undergraduate degree in Electrical Engineering at the University of Illinois and earned his MBA in International Marketing and Finance from the Kellogg Graduate School at Northwestern University. He has also received advanced degrees from Harvard Business School and IMD Business School in Switzerland.
Azam has held senior leadership roles in several Fortune 200 companies and has been recognized in business news publications for his achievements. He is currently the non-executive Chairman of the Board for a digital marketing company and serves on the advisory board of Valparaiso University.
He has spent time living abroad in Japan and China, where he actively participated in and led Muslim community programs focused on religious awareness and community service. Azam is also very active in several local and national masjids and charities, and he continues to volunteer his time not only in the Chicagoland area but in other states as well. He is passionate about working with youth as both a mentor and a coach.
In his free time, Azam is an avid sports fan and has played several sports, including the opportunity to play professional baseball overseas. He is also passionate about travel (having visited 106 countries), charity work, and comedy.