About

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 Born into a family of politicians and academics, in the capital, and most populous, city of Somalia, Mogadishu, Naima developed a passion for international relations at a young age. At the age of thirteen, Naima joined pen pals exchanging letters, ideas, making new friends, where she kept in correspondence with youth in foreign countries from diverse cultural backgrounds 

Naima's favourite memory growing up was partaking in a competitive sports league, organizing women's rights campaigns, and marching for female empowerment. "Think globally, act locally" was, and is, very much her watchword. 

In 1990, Naima's life would take a drastic turn, and everything she built and knew crumble. Naima's family relocated, and she fled from political tensions that would lead to thirty-two years of civil war. Naima arrived in the traditional territories of Erie, Neutral, Huron-Wendat, Haudenosaunee, and Mississaugas - Hamilton, Ontario. 

Today, Naima is a proud Edmontonian, a mother of a brilliant 30-year-old daughter, who was inspired by her mother's life trajectory playing professional rugby, a graduate of human geography and gender. 

As an avid educator and community advocate Naima has 30 + years of experience in community development, poverty reduction, food security, family and recreation programming, and collaboratively creating and implementing high quality programs for unhoused vulnerable populations.