Nothing impactful gets done alone

An inspiring young leader you need to know: Habon Ali

March 4, 2022

If Habon Ali could deliver one message to the world, she says it would be to “look at where you stand in life and see what gifts you can offer the world. We need everybody’s talent and motivation to create a better world. We all have a responsibility to move the dial.”

These wise words are a philosophy Habon has dedicated her young life to. Habon is an alumna of the Prime Ministers Youth Council with experience advising Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the Government of Canada. She was actively involved in the creation of Canada’s first National Youth Policy, which identified six priority areas where young Canadians want the federal government to focus on, including employment, environment and climate action, as well as health and wellness. Additionally, she helped developed Canada Service Corp to encourage youth to participate in civic affairs through volunteer service placements.

Habon, a Somali-Canadian, who is completing her MSc in Global Health, is passionate about removing systemic barriers for youth; exemplified by her work in social innovation at MaRS Discovery District, Opportunity for All Youth and Grand Challenges Canada. Currently, Habon works with the Future of Canada project, which provides seed funding to catalyze research exploring the possibilities for Canada in the next decade. These accomplishments along with her astounding leadership abilities and her trailblazing, self-starting attitude earned her recognition as one of Canada’s 100 Most Powerful Women by the Women’s Executive Network (WEN).

Specifically, Habon was one of five young women recognized in the RBC Future Launch Future Leaders category, which celebrates individuals who are transforming their communities through innovation, collaboration and courage.

We had the pleasure of sitting down with Habon virtually to talk about what inspires her, what it means to be recognized as a WXN RBC Future Launch Future Leader, and more.

Who is one person who inspires you?
Habon: My mother. She is such a bright light and joy in my life. She has sacrificed so much to give my family a beautiful life and I am so lucky to be her daughter.

What is one of your favourite quotes or words of wisdom passed down to you?

Habon: My parents have always imparted to my siblings and me that we have a responsibility to cultivate good wherever we go. I have tried my best to embody this life practice.

What does being recognized as a WXN RBC Future Launch Future Leader mean to you?

Habon: I am so deeply honoured to receive this recognition. To me, it embodies the belief that my champions, such as my nominators, have in me. It’s a testament to the work I am doing is seen and valued. It is also a deep source of motivation to keep going. Being amongst an incredible cohort of women who are disrupting and creating impactful change is motivating.

You have experience advising Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the Government of Canada. Many young people may have felt intimidated to be in your shoes. Do you have any advice for battling feelings of self-doubt or ‘imposter syndrome?’

Habon: I think it’s important to remember that we are all human at the end of the day. I have experienced imposter syndrome in navigating political spaces as a young person, however, my lived experiences are incredibly important to the policy-making process. Often, racialized youth and youth from lower socioeconomic status feel imposter syndrome because we are not represented in these spaces. However, that is a flaw of the system and not one of ours. We all have the responsibility to build a country that works for everyone, there is no other choice. This means we must navigate these spaces and we don’t have to do it alone. Reach out to folks in your community and work together. Nothing impactful gets done alone.

You have an incredible amount of experience working with organizations like Apathy is Boring, MaRS Discovery District and Opportunity for All Youth. Can you share why supporting them is important to you?

Habon: My passion comes from growing up in a low-income neighbourhood and seeing the impacts of poverty first-hand and how it limits life choices. Seeing my loved ones, neighbours and community members not being able to live out the full potential of their lives is quite sad. It fuels me to create change because no one deserves to experience hardships in life simply due to the colour of their skin, postal code, or region they are born in this country. It doesn’t make sense to me. It’s why I choose to support inclusive civic engagement initiatives like Apathy is Boring and bridging the opportunity gap by supporting youth furthest from the opportunity to gain meaningful employment across the country through my work at MaRS Discovery District and Opportunity for All Youth.

Source: RBC