Tired of Career Advice That Wasn’t Made for You?

"In my 14-year career, I’ve been through a few mentorship and professional development programs. As a Muslim woman of color, I did not find anyone who was speaking to my specific career barriers and needs at work. Dr. Qaali’s approach is unique in that she’s providing an intersectional method, being a Black, East African, and Muslim woman who has been through all the trauma and “isms” herself. She breaks down the racialized and gendered work dynamics and gives practical career advice in a way I have not yet received or seen elsewhere. 

I have learned so much in just one month, and am amazed at the breadth and depth of her course content. She truly covers everything, with direct examples and straightforward advice that you would need to advocate for yourself as a minority person at work.

Dr. Qaali has offered us many culturally-specific tools, resources and first-person advice about how to manage up. How to self-advocate as an immigrant, as a woman of faith or woman of color. How to negotiate our contracts as working women, or as working parents. How to feel confident embodying our whole selves while at work. 

I've also really benefited from the confidential, live, group coaching calls, where we were able to learn in a cohort model of giving and receiving tips, stories, advice and feedback from Dr. Qaali and from each other. It was such a safe space to share things we were going through at work on those calls. That has been so invaluable to me! 

I cannot thank Dr. Qaali enough for the lessons, tools and career advice. If you're considering taking one of Dr. Qaali's courses or working with her, just do it. It's an investment you will not regret one bit."

- Lolla

"I often felt alone in my journey and I was determined to find someone who shared my background and that's why I discovered Dr. Qaali Hussein and I immediately enrolled in her Taking Up Space course.  And let me tell you...that was the best decision I have ever made in my life. Prior to the course, for example, I was often discouraged by those who believed that someone like me could never become a physician. And because I took this course, it has opened up my eyes and instilled a new found belief in myself. Dr. Qaali reminds us of the challenges we will face on our journey and she teaches us how to navigate them."

- Deqa Mohamed 

"I definitely agree that is possible for women to pursue their ambitious career goals, but at the same time, I am very aware of the influences that discriminating work and organisational policies have on the ability of women to pursue these goals. My introduction to the Defiance Academy's work...has helped me see the possibilities out there. It helped me realize the importance of challenging discriminating policies and personnel and how I can make these systems work for me."

- Fatemah Osman 

"Dr. Hussein has offered much-need guidance to women of color physicians via a series called Taking UP Space: A Masterclass on Defying Norms and Setting Your Own Standards.  Through this personal and professional development platform, Dr. Hussein has offered valuable skills on how physician women of color need to defy the norm so that we can achieve our dreams and maintain our values in a field that expects people to sacrifice everything in service of their profession."

- Sondos Al Sad, MD, MPH.          Family Medicine