Halima Hamud

Halima Hamud
Delegate for Minnesota
Resettled from Kenya

Halima Hamud is a passionate advocate and community organizer with a strong commitment to empowering refugee and immigrant communities. Born and raised in the largest camp in Kenya, Dadaab, she witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by women in her community and was inspired by her mother's work as a midwife and advocate for their rights. After immigrating to Boise, Idaho, Halima pursued her education, completing a bachelor's degree before recently relocating to Minnesota to pursue her graduate studies. She is deeply grateful for the support and opportunities she has received from her community and is eager to contribute and continue her advocacy work in her new environment. 

For the past six years, Halima has been actively engaged in advocating for refugee political inclusion and has collaborated with the Boise Mayor's Office as a Community Engagement Intern, fostering social cohesion between marginalized communities and local government. She also founded Circle of Excellence, an online community that provides resources and support for highly skilled refugee and immigrant professionals, assisting them in navigating the workforce. 

As a Refugee Congress delegate for Minnesota, Halima is particularly passionate about addressing the issue of brain waste and skill gaps among refugee and immigrant professionals in the United States. Her research and collaboration with local organizations have highlighted the urgent need for partnerships and solutions to unlock the potential of immigrant professionals and bridge the gap between their skills and employment opportunities. Through her advocacy organization, Circle of Excellence, Halima strives to bring attention to this national and global issue, creating valuable discussions and fostering collaboration within communities. She is dedicated to shedding light on the experiences and success stories of highly skilled refugee and immigrant women, advocating for their recognition and appreciation in the workforce. 

In her current pursuit of a Master's in Development Practice, Halima is expanding her expertise in economic development and health equity, with a specific focus on women's empowerment. She firmly believes that by providing equitable access to resources and opportunities, communities can be strengthened and transformed for the better.