I am honored to be included in Lifestyles Magazine Women in Philanthropy issue.
The Fall 2016 issue includes women who have "dedicated their time and resources to ensure a better tomorrow. Acting as catalysts, their missions have changed the lives of countless people around the world, and their actions demonstrate how creating positive opportunities leads to societal change."
It is truly humbling to be named alongside female giants of philanthropy and social change like Laurene Powell Jobs - a champion for education, immigration and the environment, Angelina Jolie - a United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Malala Yousafzai - an advocate for girls education and the youngest-ever Nobel laureate, and Oprah Winfrey - a philanthropy powerhouse.
Having graduated with the Chemical Engineering degree I'd always dreamed of, not to mention relentlessly fought to have, I never imagined that I would spend my days building social enterprises advancing the cause of migrants around the globe. I have the uncommon privilege of positively impacting the state of the world while being denied access to a diversity of nations. This realization that I have been blessed with influence although lacking the required conventional credentials, reminds me that while our purpose may be beyond our capacity to imagine, it is never beyond our capacity to achieve.
Today, I am overwhelmed with gratitude, reassured of purpose, and filled with hope. "For all those whose cares have been our concern, the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die."