Laya is an international development practitioner with a background in project & program management for international humanitarian and development organizations including expertise in development partnerships, refugee reintegration, and socio-economic inclusion. Much of Laya’s work has been informed by her lived experience as a refugee. Laya is a recent graduate with a Masters in Development Practice from Columbia University's School of International Public Affairs.

She enjoys the work of creating safe and empowering environments for children as well as finding creative and sustainable solutions to advocate for refugees and displaced communities. She enjoys playing basketball, traveling, live music, and performing spoken word poetry.