Our Team

Naila was always meant to be an educator and leader. Her classroom may have looked different at times; sometimes it was a school, other times her own home, but the core of her work never changed: teaching, guiding, leading and shaping ideas with purpose and care. For over 25 years, she's been a steady force in education, working with students, families, and communities to build futures rooted in both knowledge and character. She raised seven children while working full-time in education, all of them now successful professionals with advanced degrees - and she did it while bridging two very different worlds. Having grown up with Middle Eastern traditions and raising her children in the U.S., Naila developed a way of leading that upheld culture while embracing the strength of change, adaptability, and opportunity. That experience became the foundation of her work, helping others lead with clarity, strength, and adaptability in systems that frequently overlook the richness of diverse backgrounds. Over the years, she noticed something: so many educators, especially mothers, migrants, and culturally diverse women, were carrying the weight of leadership alone. They were leading classrooms, leading homes, leading entire communities - but often without the language, support, or recognition that matched the depth of their work. So, Naila did what she's always done: she stepped in as a guide and support, acting as a shoulder to lean on. Naila's focus over the years was to help women, many in the education field, make sense of what they were navigating and to show them they didn't have to choose between culture and career, values and vision. Naila is the heart of FiercelnYou. Her influence runs through every part of what we do, from the way we shape our programs to how we show up for schools and educators. With her decades of experience and insight, both professionally and culturally, Naila steers the direction, strength, and purpose of our work, acting as a constant source of guidance for our team.

Judy didn't set out to become a coach. She was a teacher first in high school science classrooms, then as a team leader and mentor. She spent years navigating school hallways, trying to understand a system that often left both students and educators feeling overwhelmed, stuck, exhausted and frustrated. Over time, she kept seeing the same things repeatedly. So much potential, endless PD sessions-and yet, the same cracks. The same questions. The same burnout. If professional development is so widespread, why were teachers and students still struggling through the same obstacles? That question sparked conversations, and those conversations led to research. Eventually, they led to FiercelnYou Coaching - a collective Judy and the other founders built to fill the gaps they saw repeatedly, a space where educators and leaders could be supported in ways that truly fit their unique contexts and challenges. Now, she brings the same level of care to coaching she once brought to every classroom, staffroom, and leadership meeting. Judy doesn't believe in one-size-fits-all answers. Her coaching is shaped by years of experience, but most importantly, by listening closely to what people are carrying-the worries, the hopes, the exhaustion, and the dreams. Her approach is steady and clear - sitting with people through the mess, helping them untangle what's working, what isn't, and what needs to shift to move forward. Judy works closely with Islamic schools, Muslim educators, and leaders because she's driven to fill a gap she's seen in her community on how to honour Islamic faith, values and culture, while still meeting the high demands of teaching. But Judy's work isn't limited to Muslim communities.She is just as passionate about supporting educators from all backgrounds who are tirelessly working to make a difference but find may find themselves feeling lost, unsure, or disconnected. For Judy, every educator deserves a space to be seen, understood, heard and supported. It's through these everyday connections, smiles, and togetherness that Judy finds the true heart of her work in coaching.

Eva's leadership journey wasn't built on just theory - rather it was shaped in rooms where strategy met emotion and where leadership wasn't always a simple and straight path. Throughout the past years, she's focused her work on leading diverse, cross-functional teams, while navigating organisational complexity. Her coaching and leadership has always been rooted in one belief: that leadership isn't just exceling at managing work, but it's also about honouring the people who do it. Whether guiding large teams through transformation or working closely with boards on strategy change, Eva has seen the hidden emotional parts of leadership - the quiet self-doubt before big decisions, the hesitation to speak up, and the pressure of always having answers. She also noticed what happened when people were offered a space to speak honestly, unpack their challenges and difficulties without judgment, and were coached with compassion and care. Their entire mindset shifted, and they began leading from a place of clarity and confidence. That's what drew Eva to coaching. Now, Eva works in supporting people on their leadership journey, helping them find footing in fast-moving environments, strengthening their presence and building emotional intelligence. Whether you're a principal, team leader, or an emerging executive, Eva's coaching facilitates development across all levels of engagement - the type that transcends checklists, titles and transitions into mindset, influence, and impact. Eva recognises that when leaders lead with self-awareness, confidence, and purpose - they don't only achieve results. They construct culture, influence systems, and leave people better than they found them.

Maryiam believes that in the eyes of every educator is a story- with every blink and every gaze, they unfold the universe of their experiences and narrate their stories. They speak of the unwavering commitment to nurturing young minds, and the challenges and uncertainties that come along the way. Amidst this, prioritizing self-care often becomes difficult and an endeavour that educators often raise concerns about. For more than 12 years, Maryiam Harara has led and coached educators through evidence-based practices to shape their perspectives not only on pedagogical strategies, innovation and professional development, but she also bridges the gap between self-care and personal growth. Her expertise focuses on supporting schools on the frontline, directly working with leaders, networks and education jurisdictions to facilitate change management and school initiatives. She has built centred wellbeing frameworks that integrate holistic approaches to support educators and leaders in achieving mental, emotional, and physical health. Burnout? Excessive workload? Stress management concerns? Unsustainable habits? Decreased motivation and productivity? Overwhelmed? Anxious? The answers lie within the unspoken words of the eyes... the most powerful language of expression and emotion. In the heart of all of this, is Maryiam's belief in the transformative power of leading with change and impact and thus starts with us-together we rewrite our paths, embrace our differences and transcend to an overall holistic wellbeing.