NATIONWIDE - MARCH 2025 - Shahd Asaly is an author, entrepreneur, and consultant who integrates her background in social research, trauma studies, and humanitarian work into her professional endeavors. With a focus on trauma, identity, and belonging, Asaly's work aims to create environments that foster empathy and understanding in diverse settings.
Asaly founded Sawt Corp - a firm built on the belief that every voice has the power to shape connection and lasting change. Drawing from the Arabic word Sawt (صوت), meaning “voice,” the organization is dedicated to amplifying powerful narratives and creating genuine cross-cultural dialogue. Through a range of services-including narrative-building workshops, cross-cultural consulting, guest speaker events, podcast interviews, and publishing support-Sawt Corp creates space for stories that deserve to be heard. At its core, Sawt Corp helps individuals and organizations bridge divides, strengthen communication, and build environments where every voice is valued. By elevating resilient stories and encouraging meaningful conversations, Sawt Corp is redefining how we lead and grow together. Asaly emphasizes, "Real change begins when we stop treating trauma and belonging as separate issues and start recognizing how they shape every conversation, story, history, every relationship, and every space we’re in."
In addition to her consultancy work, Asaly is an author of children's and adult literature. Her children’s book focuses on themes of humanitarianism, with a forthcoming series addressing empathy and friendship. Her adult works focus on trauma and relationships, exploring emotional dynamics and personal growth. Asaly’s books have been recognized for sparking essential conversations on mental health, relationships, and identity.
Asaly is also the founder of Blue Meets Blue, a fashion label that merges luxury modest fashion with humanitarian efforts. Based in Chicago, the brand collaborates with refugee artisans recently resettled in the United States. Blue Meets Blue provides refugees a platform to regain their dignity and skills while creating high-quality clothing. The brand has been highlighted in prominent publications such as Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and Marie Claire, due to its ethical approach to fashion and its support for refugee empowerment. Asaly states, "Every stitch tells a story of hope and new beginnings."
Finishing a Ph.D. in sociology, Asaly has spent over a decade studying trauma, identity, and resilience, particularly within vulnerable populations. This academic foundation shapes her work, whether she is writing, consulting, or designing fashion collections. Asaly’s combination of research, practical application, and creative entrepreneurship makes her approach distinctive.
Asaly’s consulting has become increasingly relevant in today's diverse workplace environment. She helps businesses navigate cross-cultural communication, a crucial skill as companies employ individuals from various backgrounds. Asaly believes that skilled guidance and collaboration are key to overcoming cultural misunderstandings. "True collaboration doesn’t happen by chance. it requires intentional effort to break down the unspoken barriers that keep us from really seeing and valuing one another" she explains.
Beyond her professional work, Asaly advocates for creating inclusive spaces where individuals of all backgrounds can thrive. She challenges individuals and organizations to view belonging and trauma not as isolated issues but as interconnected elements that influence how we relate to one another. Asaly’s approach encourages a deeper understanding of trauma and belonging, emphasizing their importance in everyday life, whether at work, in schools, or in communities.
Asaly continues to use her platform to advocate for refugees, a group she reminds us to view through a human lens rather than as an abstract issue. Shahd Asaly contributes to conversations about empathy, belonging, and the capacity for human growth through her books and consulting. Her work challenges traditional approaches to workplace culture, offering an integrated framework that encourages genuine connection and lasting transformation. For more information about Shahd Asaly and her work, visit ShahdAsaly.com or follow her on Instagram.