Meet the Members
Members of the Refugee Storytellers Collective are experts in their lived experiences. They can speak to the challenges displaced people face and the contributions they make to their communities.
Members of the Refugee Storytellers Collective are available for media interviews, talks, workshops, panels, and more.
Halima Hamud
Halima Hamud is the founder of Circles of Excellence, a grassroots organization advocating for skilled immigrants. She is also the host of the Voices Unveiled podcast. As a resilient refugee leader, her work, advocacy, and personal ambition all revolve around ensuring that refugee and immigrant communities have access to resources that uplift and build their power. She earned a Master’s degree in Development from the University of Minnesota. Halima is an Idaho native.
Hanan Rasheed
Hanan Rasheed is a chef and founder of My Healing Table, which uses the power of food to create positive change. She enjoys sharing the beauty of Palestinian cuisine with friends, family, and others.
Ikhlas Mohammed
Ikhlas Mohammed is an author, advocate, podcast host, speaker, and trainer dedicated to empowering women and promote healing through storytelling. She is passionate about women and youth empowerment, immigration justice, self-development, and mental health.
Kateryna Bikir
Kateryna Bikir is a psychologist, educator, and life coach. She aims to build a trauma-informed community, support open-mindedness, and grow resilience among refugees through storytelling, psychoeducation, and coaching.
Kawser Amine
Kawser Amine is a pro soccer player, activist, leader, and speaker dedicated to women's empowerment, representation, and refugee rights. She is committed to championing humanity, welcoming, policy advocacy, peace, and equality to create a better future for the next generation.
Kendra Frith
Kendra Frith, born in Jamaica, is an asylum seeker and Senior Engagement Officer with Rainbow Railroad. Her decade-long commitment to human rights has focused on empowering LGBTQ+ individuals affected by homelessness and forced displacement. Kendra continues to dedicate herself to creating a world where everyone can live authentically and without fear.
Liyah Babayan
Liyah Babayan is a social entrepreneur, speaker, author, and the first refugee to hold public office in the State of Idaho, serving as a School Board Trustee in Twin Falls, running for City Council and State Representative. She has received numerous Governor's service to community awards, Idaho's Hometown Hero Award including the ACLU’S Civil Rights Service Award. She enjoys nature, oil painting, cooking, reading, and playing time with her children.
Lucky Karim
Lucky Karim is a Refugee and Human Rights Activist who has worked for a Number of International Humanitarian organizations and supported INGO to translate the needs of her community. She is also a young leader who works closely with Government officials and Policy makers on the Rohingya crisis and Burma more broadly.
Maqdona Fetry
Maqdona Fetry holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and a Masters in Public Law from Kabul, Afghanistan. She recently completed a CompTIA ITF+ Certification course and is currently working towards a degree in General Studies. Maqdona is a passionate advocate for migrant rights, and is helping build a future based on empathy, deep understanding, and mutual respect.
Mariia Yatsko
Mariia Yatsko is from Ukraine and works as an IDA Program Specialist at New American Pathways. She is a community builder and advocate, leading "Know Your Rights" workshops and meeting with Senators to elevate her community's voice. She is also a Civic Pathways Leader with the Coalition of Refugee Service Agencies of Georgia.
Mawda Boulad
Mawda Boulad is a motivational leadership speaker and a young leader passionate about driving positive change. She is pursuing her degree in medicine, and advocates for refugee and immigrant rights.
Muntaha Alhindi
Muntaha Alhindi is a social worker and advocate working for the Middle Eastern Immigrant and Refugee Alliance. She is deeply committed to making a positive impact and embracing multiculturalism.
Nejra Sumic
Nejra Sumic is the National Field Manager for the We Are All America Campaign and the Arizona Delegate for Refugee Congress. She is fluent in English, Spanish, Bosnian, and several other dialects, and is proud to serve her community.
Nurul Haque
Nurul Haque is a Rohingya genocide survivor. He holds a Bachelors degree in Business Administration with a focus on Human Resource Management. He is the Co-Founder and President of the Burmese Rohingya Student Union and has worked with UNV and the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to advance justice for the Rohingya community. Nurul currently serves at the State of Oregon Department of Human Services.
Olivé Bukuru Kabura
Olivé Bukuru is passionate about public health and education, which inspires her professional and volunteer work in her community. She provides free evidence-based health education on topics such as diabetes, heart disease, and vaccines, and helps her community better understand ways to protect themselves and live longer, healthier lives.
Paneh Laloe
Paneh Laloe is a university student majoring in Business Management, an ambassador with Know Your Neighbor, and an Associate Delegate with Refugee Congress in Utah. She is also an ambassador and mentor with Women of the World. Having navigated the resettlement process and higher education pathways, Paneh is committed to helping organizations better support refugees.
Peace Izabayo Nibagwize
Peace Izabayo Nibagwize is a mental health social worker and a passionate advocate for policy change. She enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and cooking for the people she loves.