I’m Hanieh (she/her),
an Iranian-Canadian
social impact designer
based in Rwanda.
My mission is to build safe spaces that empower and elevate underrepresented voices.
I use creative problem-solving, collaborative participatory methods, and storytelling to create deeper compassion and connection between individuals and communities. I believe in developing impactful and equitable outcomes that honour diversity, foster belonging, and transcend boundaries.
I specialize in human-centred design, product strategy, and user experience, and have worked across many industries including international development, public health, and community engagement, designing anything from chatbots and mobile apps to design systems and responsive websites.
With nearly 10 years of experience in design, some of the projects I have led and contributed to include: researching settlement challenges for refugees, building community engagement through arts and culture, increasing access to mental health education for youth, providing access to modern contraception for girls and women, and developing strategies to increase uptake of HIV testing.
WHAT I’M CURRENTLY UP TO
- As a UX Design Lead at YLabs, I conduct research, build and test prototypes, and design scalable healthcare solutions for young people.
- I am the co-founder of Thousand&One, a social enterprise that supports women of colour to thrive in their professional lives.
- I am completing a one-year leadership fellowship and coaching program at The Women’s Impact Alliance.
- I provide consulting through Toptal, where I work with international clients to solve various design and product challenges.
If you are interested in learning more about my experience, you can view my resume here.