Layla is an experienced education professional and passionate humanitarian dedicated to supporting Portland residents through social and economic hardships. Inspired by her experience as a Somali refugee, Layla dedicates her time to helping other refugees through work in local and national organizations, including the American Red Cross, the Abu Bakar Community Center, the Islamic Relief Foundation, the Somali Women Empowerment organization, and the Multnomah County for Preschool For All initiative.

Layla‘s interest in community outreach began in 2013, when she joined the Bachelor of Public Health program at Portland State University. Since then, her passion for building independent communities has only grown, further solidified by the acquisition of her Masters in Bilingual Education in 2019. 

Throughout the next year, the nation was rocked by the chaos of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, within that hardship, Layla saw an opportunity to do more good. While the Portland community had access to many valuable resources, it was clear that most residents did not understand how to fully utilize what they were offered. In this moment, the inspiration for a new kind of relief effort found its spark—one that would inspire communities to grow from struggling systems into sustainable networks. 

Now, as the Founder and Executive Director of the Umoya Relief Foundation (URF), Layla leads a city-wide effort to build a stronger, more self-sufficient Portland. Inspired by her ardent efforts, URF advocates for the true potential in every community—where each member feels empowered to overcome their challenges with strength and confidence.