I came to the U.S. when I was three years old with my family, after the outbreak of a civil war in Somalia. One of our first ports of entry into America was at Sea-Tac Airport. Similar to many families, we came to the United States to build a better life and contribute to our new home.

I grew up watching my mother juggle her job at Sea-Tac Airport, her job as a daycare provider, and her home responsibilities. When I was 15, I started working as an elementary school tutor and working at our local businesses to help my family make ends meet. My family has managed to survive and thrive throughout King County—I have lived in Kent, Burien, SeaTac, and Seattle.

Today, I have dedicated my life to public service, advocating for small businesses and working families at the local and federal levels. I live in SeaTac with my husband, Daud Ali, a nonprofit organization founder, and a long-time SeaTac Airport employee. I’m a proud aunty and mentor to dozens of young people, and I’m working hard to protect their generation’s future and beyond.

At the King County Executive Office of Dow Constantine, I implement internal and external immigration policies, including training development for over 15,000 county employees. Also, I advise on the County’s $12 billion budget and manage initiatives that invest millions in small businesses, community organizations, and COVID-19 response. 

I believe our results speak for themselves: we secured millions toward a housing and community market to support tourism and provide economic opportunities for families and small businesses in King County. Through business and national partnerships I’ve developed, we secured 14,000 pounds of essential COVID-19 emergency supplies that went to community health clinics and frontline workers at no cost to them or the King County Government.

Prior to serving King County, I was Deputy District Director for U.S. Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal. In this role, I helped hundreds of small and medium businesses —software companies, stores, restaurants, non-profit organizations—navigate the impacts of new public policies.  By employing my advocacy and leadership skills, we saved millions of dollars for residents and businesses across King County. I am also proud to have worked for CARE International and the Refugee Women Alliance in roles dedicated to fighting poverty and empowering immigrants. In addition, I’ve served on multiple nonprofit boards and as a Regional Organizing Director for President Biden’s campaign.

As we recover from COVID-19, we must rethink our Port’s policies and promote transparency, accountability, and public participation to meet the needs of the Port’s Century Agenda. I have the skills, relationships, and expertise needed to achieve tangible results for small businesses, communities, and the environment in and around the Port.

Economic Recovery: I will work to establish re-entry programs for COVID-19-impacted workers. I will focus on making the Port more competitive by streamlining our operations at our waterfront,  improving freight mobility, and investing in high-speed rail, creating 24,000 jobs.  One of the top ways that the Port can promote competitiveness is through the reformation of the Harbor Maintenance Tax, which we can use to fund crucial investments to boost economic growth. As a former congressional staffer, I am well positioned to strongly advocate for equitable distribution of the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund. In fact, I have already communicated this goal to members of our congressional delegation. 

Small Business Stabilization: I will work to establish the first-ever Small Business Recovery Taskforce to assess existing barriers and examine potential solutions for small businesses that have been hit extremely hard by the pandemic. As Commissioner, I will promote local tourism and local spending in partnership with cities and local leaders. I will expand the Economic Development Partnership grants and continue the Local Community Advertising Program. I will work to expand opportunities for mentorship between big and small businesses, and I will support business incubation and workforce development programs in aviation and maritime.

Environmental Action: I will prioritize habitat restoration, reduce toxic pollution, and work to expand the Port’s role in fighting our climate crisis. I am also committed to Port electrification and off-shore wind energy projects that will create thousands of jobs across our region. I will prioritize ensuring that our transition to renewable energy sources protects and expands our current workforce. We must ensure that our climate change response does not jeopardize the livelihoods of working families; on the contrary, I will prioritize a fair transition to well-paying green jobs at every opportunity. 

Airport Communities: The Port of Seattle’s largest revenue stream is Sea-Tac Airport, yet there has never been a Port Commissioner who lived in South King County. Communities around the airport have long struggled with air and noise pollution. As a SeaTac resident, I am prepared to be a strong voice for cleaner aviation fuels, stronger sound insulation programs, and tackling ultrafine particle pollution with local leaders.

Endorsements: I am honored to have the endorsements of all nineteen King County Democratic Party organizations, Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, Congressman Adam Smith, King County Executive Dow Constantine, Attorney General Bob Ferguson, Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz, Treasurer Mike Pellicciotti,  King County Councilmember Rod Dembowski, King County Councilmember Girmay Zahilay, King County Councilmember Dave Upthegrove, MLK Labor, Aerospace Machinists, UFCW, all SEIU locals, Teamsters Joint Council 28, Washington Conservation Voters, 50 Democratic legislators, and hundreds of organizations and business leaders. Full endorsement list.