Meet Zahra Zakariya

Hi! My name is Zahra and I am so glad you are here to find out more about me!

I’ve created a little audio where I share more about who I am and the inspiration behind my work as a Transformational Coach to High-Performing Entrepreneurs & Professionals!

Enjoy!

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Full Profile

Zahra Zakariya Abdulkareem is a Business Strategist and Transformational Coach. Zahra has a BSc in Economics from The School of Oriental and African Studies and a certificate in Business Accounting from the Chartered Institute of Management Accounts.

She completed the world renowned graduate training program with Deloitte UK, where she qualified as a Strategy and Operations Consultant.

Zahra started her entrepreneurship journey at a young age. While studying for her BSc, she embarked on her first two business ventures; an online women’s clothing line; ZAHRA & ZINAH and a bespoke photography company; Radiant Reflections.

Through these ventures, Zahra developed an eye for detail alongside her creative and entrepreneurial capabilities. Between 2009 and 2011, she co- presented and produced a fortnightly show called “Revealed” aimed at breaking down negative stereotypes of Islam in the community in line with the Governments’ Preventing Violent Extremism Initiative in the UK. Her show was amongst the first to be aired live on Reprezent 107.3FM in April of 2011. This amongst other major contributions, led to Zahra’s nomination as one of Powerful Media’s Future Leaders for year 2012/2013.

In 2014, she launched The Umm Fariha Network, initially as a post- partum support group for new mothers suffering from post-partum depression and mental health issues. It has since broadened its mandate and grown into a platform aimed at nurturing women of virtue, empowering women through enterprise and sharing the stories of women around the world on their journey towards self-discovery and fulfilment.

In January 2016, she organised and hosted the maiden edition of The Essence, Symposium, Family Fair & Expo in Lagos, Nigeria. The two days Muslim Lifestyle Event aims to raise aspirations and foster excellence amongst millennials in Nigeria. In 2017 the event was featured on TVC, Silverbird, Pulse and other notable media outlets across Nigeria.

In February 2017, Zahra was featured on TVC’s Your View Breakfast show as the first Muslim Personality of the Month for her outstanding contribution to women issues and youth development in Nigeria and around the world.

Leveraging her wealth of experience, Zahra now runs her own Personal Development, Business Strategy & Management outfit along-side her community projects under the umbrella of The Umm Fariha Network.

Professionally, she specialises in creating strategies, implementing operational changes and managing project portfolios for HNIs, NGOs and Social Enterprises, bringing about lasting positive change in their own unique way.

She is passionate about promoting social entrepreneurship and philanthropy as a means to sustainable economic empowerment.

Personally, she coaches high performing women seeking greater clarity & fulfilment in life. She helps them to cultivate self-acceptance and build the resilience necessary for them to thrive at home and at work.

Through The Umm Fariha Network she mentors young entrepreneurs and provides them with the essential tools and support they need to grow their businesses through her online platform; The Essence Online.

Zahra is a wife and mother of two, whose passion for social development, human capacity development and inclusivity continues to motivate her to pioneer many initiatives for the local community both home and abroad.