Tell us about yourself and your career journey
I began my career at Citibank N.A. in Beirut after completing my BBA in Banking and Finance, driven by a deep interest in the mathematical foundations of finance and economics. Early on, I knew I wanted to go beyond practice and into research, to better understand risk, uncertainty, and decision-making at a fundamental level.
While working, I completed my MBA and pursued a PhD in Financial Economics in Canada. Today, I am a professor in the Faculty of Mathematics at University of Waterloo, where my work focuses on risk management, insurance, and quantitative modeling.
Alongside academia, I co-founded Eign, which represents the commercialization of over a decade of my research. My goal now is to translate complex theory into real-world impact by building scalable solutions that improve how people make decisions. Having reached a milestone as one of the first Arab women specializing at the PhD level in risk management and insurance, my next ambition is to build a globally recognized technology company originating from the region.
Tell us about your venture, Eign
At Eign, we are building what we call an urban intelligence layer. We take complex, fragmented neighborhood-level data and transform it into clear, decision-ready insights.
By combining quantitative modeling, risk frameworks, and advanced data science, we enable developers, investors, brokers, and institutions to move away from intuition-driven decisions toward structured, evidence-based strategies. Our focus is on making location intelligence accessible, actionable, and scalable across markets.
What inspired you to take the leap into entrepreneurship and found Eign?
Eign is a natural extension of my academic work. As a PhD in Risk Management and Insurance, I’ve spent years developing models to understand uncertainty and guide decision-making under risk.
At some point, it became clear that these frameworks shouldn’t remain confined to academic journals. They have real, practical value in industries like real estate, where decisions are often high-stakes and data is underutilized.
Being part of the entrepreneurial ecosystem at the University of Waterloo also played a key role. Through teaching, mentoring, and participating in startup initiatives, I was constantly exposed to innovation and commercialization pathways. The university’s strong support for researcher-led ventures made it the ideal environment to take that leap.
How is Eign fundamentally different? What is your USP?
What sets Eign apart is our foundation in risk science.
Most platforms focus on listing, aggregating, or visualizing data. We go deeper by applying structured quantitative models and analysis to interpret that data. We don’t just show what is happening in a neighborhood, we quantify what it means and what is likely to happen next.
This shift from descriptive data to predictive, decision-grade intelligence is where our real differentiation lies.
How are you redefining how real estate decisions are made?
Real estate decisions have historically been driven by experience, intuition, and fragmented information.
At Eign, we are introducing a more disciplined, data-driven approach. By translating complex datasets into standardized indices and insights, we allow stakeholders to evaluate locations with the same rigor used in financial markets.
The goal is simple: reduce uncertainty, improve transparency, and enable smarter, faster decision-making at scale.
What are your growth plans for Eign?
Our focus is on building a scalable data and analytics infrastructure that can expand across regions.
We are starting with key markets in Canada and the GCC, with a strong emphasis on partnerships with developers, institutions, and government entities. Over time, we aim to position Eign as a global reference point for location intelligence, with API-driven products and integrated data layers that can be embedded into broader real estate and financial ecosystems.
As the first Arab female with a PhD in Risk Management and Insurance, what challenges have you faced?
Arab women are often underestimated, but in reality, they carry a remarkable level of resilience and discipline. I consider myself fortunate to have had strong support from my family and early role models who showed me what is possible.
That said, the expectations are real. There is often an implicit pressure to excel both professionally and personally, balancing career ambitions with family responsibilities. Recognition in professional spaces can also require going further and proving more.
But these challenges also build strength. With the right support systems and opportunities, Arab women consistently demonstrate that they can lead, innovate, and compete at the highest levels.
How are you giving back and helping women advance in STEM fields?
This is something I integrate into everything I do
In my teaching, research, and mentorship, I actively promote female participation and leadership. I run targeted workshops, support women-focused initiatives, and create opportunities for visibility and growth.
Sometimes the impact is subtle, but it matters. You see it in the confidence of students, in their willingness to take risks, and in how they begin to see themselves as leaders in technical fields.
What is next for you?
The immediate focus is on scaling Eign and establishing it as a leading platform in urban intelligence.
At the same time, I want to continue bridging academia and industry, ensuring that research translates into meaningful, real-world applications. Long-term, the vision is to contribute to building stronger ecosystems for innovation, particularly for women and underrepresented groups.
What legacy do you hope to leave?
I want to be remembered for building something that created real impact, not just academically, but economically and socially.
That includes advancing how decisions are made, opening doors for others, and helping redefine what is possible for Arab women in science, technology, and entrepreneurship.
Where can readers connect with you and find out more about Eign?
Readers can learn more about Eign through our official website and Linkedin page and follow our journey as we continue to expand.
I also share insights and updates through my professional channels, where I remain actively engaged with both the academic and entrepreneurial communities.
Visit our website: Eign
Visit Eign on Linkedin: (3) EIGN: Overview | LinkedIn
Connect with Olga Kanj on Linkedin: Olga Kanj, PhD | LinkedIn