Faiza Hassan

Faiza Ahmed-Hassan is a Department of Justice Legal Counsel with over 7 years of experience in providing legal advice on a broad spectrum of complex legal matters, including administrative and regulatory law. Outside of work, Faiza teaches at Carleton University, where she shares her expertise and passion for the law with her students. In her spare time, Faiza is an active member of her community, volunteering her time and expertise to various organizations. She also recently started practicing Muay Thai. Despite her busy schedule, Faiza always makes time for her family and friends, whom she values dearly. Faiza counts her parents, Mohamed (Baba) and Zeinab (Hoyo), are her biggest inspirations and supporters.

LinkedIn: Faiza Ahmed-Hassan

What have been the most rewarding aspects of your work so far?

As a Special Advisor, my work involves supporting clients and providing counsel on a variety of important and high-priority files. These files are typically focused on advancing important social causes and facilitating positive change within Canada. For me, one of the most rewarding aspects of this work is knowing that I am making a meaningful contribution to the betterment of Canadian society.

What have been some of the more challenging aspects?

In my job, I'm constantly faced with a high level of demand and pressure to meet deadlines and achieve results. This can be quite challenging, particularly when I'm juggling multiple competing priorities at once. In order to succeed, I need to be able to manage my time effectively and stay organized, all while dealing with the stress that comes with this type of work.

One of the most challenging aspects of my job is finding a balance between managing competing priorities and managing my own stress levels. It can be all too easy to get caught up in the demands of my work and forget to take care of myself. However, I've learned that in order to be effective in my job, it's essential to proactively manage my own well-being.

This means taking breaks when needed, seeking support when I'm feeling overwhelmed, and prioritizing self-care activities such as exercise, hobbies, or spending time with loved ones. By doing this, I'm able to maintain a better sense of balance and resilience, which helps me to be more effective in my work and avoid burnout.

Name a Black Muslim woman who has been an inspiration to you and why.

When I think about who inspires me the most, there is no doubt in my mind that it is my mother. She is a Black Muslim woman who came to this country with very few resources and no education, but despite these challenges, she worked tirelessly to create a better life for her family.

Growing up, I saw firsthand the sacrifices that my mother made to ensure that my siblings and I had the opportunity to receive a good education and build a better future. She worked long hours as a custodial staff, often working the night shift so she could be there for us during the day. She went without so that we could have what we needed, and she always found ways to provide for us, whether it was buying us books, toys, or other things we needed.

Despite the challenges she faced, my mother never gave up on her dream of providing a better life for her children. Her strength and resilience continue to inspire me to this day. She is a shining example of the kind of selflessness and sacrifice that truly makes a difference in the world. I am incredibly grateful for everything she has done for me and my family, and I hope to one day be able to repay her for all of her sacrifices.