Personal Journey

• Early influences and education: Took over the Rockets’ Muslim Family Night initiative from community fathers in Houston. Background is in healthcare/project management, skills which she applied to sports event planning. No formal sports management education; relied on self-learning and networking.
• Role of Islamic faith in career choices: Faith is central to her identity and work. Uses her role for dawah (invitation to Islam) by authentically representing Muslim values (e.g., explaining Islamic greetings). Believes in staying true to her values (like not hugging non-mahram colleagues) rather than molding herself to fit the industry.
• Challenges faced as a Muslim professional: As an outwardly Muslim hijabi woman, often the only one in sports conferences. Faces closed doors and organizations not ready for Muslim engagement. Found it difficult to transition from healthcare into the sports industry due to its insular, “who-you-know” nature.
• Key turning points and decisions: During maternity leave in early 2025, realized her sports work brought her true joy, unlike her day job. This introspection, aided by a life coach, led her to formally launch her consulting company, Siraat Strategies.

Industry Deep Dive

• Current role and responsibilities: Consultant through Siraat Strategies, helping sports leagues and teams authentically engage the Muslim community. Secures prayer spaces, halal food vendors, halftime recognitions for community “all-stars,” and unique merchandise. Also works on creating mentorship pipelines for Muslims in sports.
• Corporate ethics discussion: Advocates for building strong, high-level relationships within organizations to have frank conversations about values and controversial issues (e.g., problematic guest speakers).
• Specific cases of corporate misconduct in their field: Briefly references the ethical issue of FIFA allowing an Israeli team to play amidst the Gaza conflict, suggesting it falls under human rights concerns.
• How Muslim professionals can navigate ethical dilemmas: Recommends a dual approach: 1) Protesting publicly, and 2) Using established internal channels and relationships to voice concerns directly to decision-makers (e.g., FIFA’s head of human rights).

Resources and Advice Segment

• Essential resources for aspiring professionals: Self-education on how sports leagues and teams operate. Attending major sporting events, all-star weekends, and sports conferences for networking.
• Mentorship opportunities: Stresses the importance of seeking out mentors, even outside direct experience. Mentions a new organization forming to connect Muslims working in sports.
• Organizations supporting Muslim professionals: References the Muslim Golf Association (MGA) and Islamic Games for community sports involvement.
• Practical advice for industry newcomers: Don’t limit yourself; get your foot in the door with any sports team/league, even if it’s not your favorite sport, to gain transferable experience. Use networking platforms like ARENA (an AI matchmaking tool for sports professionals).

Accountability Focus

• Discussion of specific corporations with problematic records: Mentions FIFA in the context of the Israel-Holland match and the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
• Analysis of human rights violations or war crimes connections: Highlights that Israel’s actions resulting in the killing of Palestinian brothers and sisters and a genocide.
• Ways to advocate for corporate accountability: Encourages organizing community protests and directly communicating with top management (e.g., FIFA’s human rights department) to explain the reasons for dissent.
• Alternative ethical options within the industry: Focus on building partnerships with teams and leagues that are genuinely willing to engage and create inclusive, values-aligned events.

Closing Reflections

• Final advice from guest: Hopes to see more hijabis and Muslim women in the sports industry and more Muslim athletes excelling professionally while staying true to their values.
• Contact Information to reach guest speaker: Best to contact her via LinkedIn or email at siraatstrategies@gmail.com
• Call to action for listeners: To support her work by spreading the word about her consulting services (Siraat) and helping to grow networks within the sports industry.