Laila Alawa is a Muslim American activist, blogger and outspoken feminist. Alawa is a graduate of Wellesley College where she received her bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in education studies and currently works as a research associate at Princeton University. During her time at Wellesley, she conducted and presented on a breakthrough social psychology study examining the gendered stereotypical perceptions of science careers. Through her current position, she is conducting a study on Muslim American perceptions of belonging and community within the greater American diaspora. She plans to pursue a master’s degree in public policy.

Alawa is currently the fundraising chair and social media advisor of MSA National, as well as the head of the alumni committee for the Muzslim Public Affairs Council Young Leaders. In the past, she founded and developed the social media platform for the largest Islamic center in the Northeast. Her blog, Laila Speaks, discusses issues pertaining to women and Muslims in America, and she is also YouTube personality LulainLife.