User:H.Sofiya Yusuf/sandbox

Huda Sofiya Loujaina Yusef (born 14 June 1997) is a Canadian-born Somali published writer, editor, art curator, classical arts educator photographer, cosmetic scientist and qualifying lawyer.

She is the author of several best-selling books, including 2023 book What To Do When Things Fall Apart. She is the founder of La Renouveau Foundation, a popular literary salon and members-only arts club in Nairobi, Kenya.

Early Life
Yusuf was born in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. She comes from the Marehan, a sub-clan of the Darod clan, an aristocratic noble family bloodline dating back centuries. Her parents were affiliated with the Somali Youth League (SYL), Somalia's first political party.

She attended private schools in Ottawa, Canada. She graduated with a high school diploma at the top of her class, winning various awards and specially recognized by the Mayor of Ottawa for her academic achievements. She completed her undergraduate work at Carleton University, receiving a first-class degree in Political Science. She speaks fluent English, Somali, French and conversational Spanish and Turkish.

Writing and Journalism
Yusuf is a published writer and magazine editor. Her credits include work for Think Disrupt in 2010, a popular social entrepreneurship magazine founded in Ottawa, Canada. It was supported by Seth Godin. She was the editor-at-large for Qurtuba Publishing House in 2015. It launch was well-publicized and well-received, having been featured by the Canadian Editors Association, Buzzfeed and dozens of other publications. She is the current founder of Psyche 2.0, a top mental health and wellness podcast and blog.

Live Event Production
Yusuf worked professionally in international event management on three continents producing events for governmental and non-governmental organizations. Her specialization has been focused on economic development, technology, investment and trade. Her work has been featured in or used in Ogilvy Noor, Rockerfeller Foundation, Thomson Reuters and Arabian Business. Her notable events include The Global Transformation Forum (GTF), which featured Founder of Virgin Group & Philanthropist, Sir Richard Branson, Olympic Champion, Usain Bolt, Executive Chairman of Alibaba Group, Jack Ma and many other notable speakers.

Law
Yusuf attended the University of London, obtaining an first-class honors LLB in Law. She has a Child Protection certificate from Harvard University, Harvard FXB Center for Health and Human Rights. She has completed an internship with prestigious law firm Slaughter & May, and Clifford & Chance. She plans to continue her education in a Master of Law at the University of London.

Philanthropy
She is the founder and executive director of the Somali Art History Foundation. It is an online web archive and education platform to preserve classical Somali art lost pre-civil war Somalia.

She is a passionate and dedicated supporter of environmental conservation projects in East Africa, including efforts to preserve Boswellia Cartia trees in the Horn of Africa and Oman. She is currently an ambassador for One Tree Planted.

She has a long history working in refugee protection rights and long-time volunteer with the ONE Campaign.

Personal Life
At the age of 24, she was selected as a UN Fellow in a first-of-its-kind media fellowship for journalists that took place in Wales, England.

Her hobbies are equestrianism, tennis, art collecting and reading.

Her great uncle was Siad Barre, and uncle, the recent former Prime Minister, Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo.

Publications

What To Do When Things Fall Apart: 15 Notes on Love, Loss and Healing

Think Disrupt. First Issue. October 2014.

Antidote. First Issue. October 2022