SheLeads: Salima Meherali

Salima Meherali is an Assistant Professor at the University of Alberta, Faculty of Nursing. She received her Bachelor and Master of Science in Nursing from the Aga Khan University School of Nursing and Midwifery in Karachi.

Since the beginning of her nursing career, Salima has worked towards empowering young girls in the community and advocates for girls and women. She is currently leading a funded research project to enable young girls to transform their lives, families, and communities for a more just and equitable world. This is being done through investment in local solutions, strengthening leadership, and building movements. She has conducted several empowerment workshops for young immigrant girls in Edmonton. She also mentors immigrant nurses who come to the University of Alberta for graduate education. She invites them to participate in her research projects, which gives them the opportunity to learn critical academic skills, such as writing scholarly papers,  researching materials, and financing their education.

Apart from her professional career, Salima also volunteers in various roles. She was a member of the Aga Khan Education Board and Ismaili Girl Guides in Edmonton. One of her goals is to develop a long-term and sustainable mentorship and leadership program for young immigrant girls in Canada to build their capacity, empower them, identify and develop solutions, and bring tangible change in society for a prosperous future.