Mahnan graduated as the class valedictorian at the International School of Choueifat in Pakistan, and later completed her BA in Honours Political Science (with a specialization in International Relations) and Honours Arts and Business from the University of Waterloo in 2021. She speaks six languages, with three more in progress.

Her upbringing in Pakistan during the US-led global war on terror, where childhood was precarious and women continue to be underrepresented, propelled her to pursue a career in policymaking. Coming from a business background, she holds the position of Non Executive Director at Bunny’s Limited, with a clientele base including PepsiCo International. Presently she is overseeing company expansion overseas via scouting distributors.

Mahnan has interned for The Coca-Cola Company, working in the marketing and data analysis departments, and at Pakistan’s Ministry of Law and Justice, contributing to implementing the
Anti-Rape (investigation and trial) Act, 2021. Additionally she has volunteered for several local and international NGOs including The Smile of a Child, CoCoMat, and Caritas. She has also taught at non-profit education centres for underprivileged children and youth in Pakistan