Introduction

Afaf Saleh is the founder of two companies in the automotive industry: EngiDynamics, an engineering consulting firm, and Iconavize, an AI image recognition app designed to help people understand their vehicles. She began her career with internships at Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (now Stellantis) and has extensive experience as both a corporate engineer and an entrepreneur. (View the full interview on YouTube).

Personal Journey

• Early influences and education: Afaf was drawn to engineering by TV shows like Overhauling and How It’s Made and a specific passion for the Ford Mustang. She earned a Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering from Lawrence Tech University. A pivotal moment was when an advisor at another university told her she “would never make it in engineering,” which motivated her to find a more supportive academic environment.

• Role of Islamic faith in career choices: Her faith is central to her professional life. It provides discipline (comparing work ethic to prayer), guides her intention (niyyah), and influences how she treats people and makes decisions. She believes the dreams and ideas placed in her heart are from Allah to execute, and she practices tawakkul (trust in God’s plan).

• Challenges faced as a Muslim professional: As the only visibly Muslim female in her college and often in her workplaces, she faced a culture shock and sometimes felt “unseen.” She had to proactively teach colleagues how to interact with her, using a smile and openness to answer questions about her faith and hijab to break down preconceived notions about Muslim women.

• Key turning points and decisions: Key decisions included leaving a discouraging university environment, accepting a job at Chrysler for comfort, and eventually leaving the corporate world to become an entrepreneur. This allowed her the freedom to align her work with her values and create her own deadlines.

Industry Deep Dive

• Current role and responsibilities: As a founder, her days are varied. They involve managing her sons’ schedules, interviewing candidates, refining pitch decks for investors, and meeting with her software and marketing teams to ensure project deadlines are met.

• Corporate ethics discussion: She identified two major ethical dilemmas in engineering:

  1. Balancing cost, quality, and safety: There is constant pressure to meet unrealistic deadlines and reduce costs, which often leads to cutting corners, compromising long-term reliability and safety, and resulting in product recalls.

  2. Intellectual property: Ensuring confidentiality and giving proper credit when working with cross-functional and global teams.

• Specific cases of corporate misconduct in their field: While not naming a specific company, she highlighted the industry-wide issue of drastically reduced product development timelines, which she directly witnessed and which leads to safety issues and vehicle recalls.

• How Muslim professionals can navigate ethical dilemmas: She advised to push back on management by being honest about project statuses, advocating for your team, and not folding under pressure. She emphasized that our religion teaches us to be honest and take ethics seriously, even if it means taking criticism for doing the right thing.

Resources and Advice Segment

• Essential resources for aspiring professionals: She recommends using Glassdoor, LinkedIn, and other online platforms to research a company’s culture and how they handle controversies. Talking to current or former employees is also crucial.

• Mentorship opportunities: Afaf is open to mentorship and offers internships through EngiDynamics to provide practical experience. She encourages young professionals to connect with her.

• Organizations supporting Muslim professionals: While not aware of any exclusively Muslim professional organizations in her industry, she mentioned the value of Business Resource Groups (BRGs) within large corporations. She is also part of the Arab America Foundation and the Arab America Chamber of Commerce for broader networking.

• Practical advice for industry newcomers: Define what “ethical” means to you personally. Do not feel pressured to take the first job offer; interview the employer as much as they interview you. Have trust in Allah’s plan (sabr and tawakkul) that the right opportunity will come.

Accountability Focus

• Discussion of specific corporations with problematic records: She did not name specific automotive companies but stated she has declined contracts with companies involved in the military and those directly involved in activities that impact “our own way,” alluding to the genocide in Gaza.

• Analysis of human rights violations or war crimes connections: She connects corporate choices, specifically working for companies involved in the military-industrial complex, to the “genocide” and conflicts happening in the world.

• Ways to advocate for corporate accountability: Individuals should find the courage to speak up internally, first to management and then to HR or compliance teams if needed. If that fails, leaving the company is an option, and she cited examples (like a sister from Microsoft) where professionals were supported by other organizations for taking a stand.

• Alternative ethical options within the industry: She advocates for working with smaller companies (like tool makers or low-volume manufacturers) which often have less controversy. Entrepreneurship also provides the freedom to choose clients that align with your values.

Closing Reflections

• Final advice from guest: Have faith in Allah’s plan. Define your personal ethics and align your career with them. Remember that you have a responsibility to speak up against wrongdoing and that your rizq (sustenance) is from Allah. She serves as proof that a “Yemeni sheltered kid from Detroit” can navigate the corporate world and become a successful founder while maintaining her faith and values.

• Contact Information to reach guest speaker:

  • Email: saleh@engidynamicsconsulting.com

  • Personal Email: afaf.saleh3387@gmail.com

  • Visit her LinkedIn profile (with her picture in a hijab).

• Call to action for listeners:

  • Support Iconavize: Sign up at app.iconavize.com and provide feedback. The app will soon be available on the App Store and Google Play.

  • Reach out for mentorship: She is eager to help guide young professionals, especially women and youth.

  • Apply for internships: Her consulting company offers internships to help students gain valuable experience.