Speaking to the World
Rola is an award winning frontline doctor and campaigner who spent a decade responding to the humanitarian crisis in war torn Syria.
Now, she speaks about what we can all learn from frontliners about tackling the seemingly insurmountable and thriving in uncertain times.
Rola is a sought after transformational speaker who has shared global stages with presidents, celebrities and grassroots activists. Her online talks have been viewed over 11 million times, inspiring thousands to become changemakers.
Rola is a powerful and authentic speaker, who is able to connect and inspire listeners to believe in their own inner remarkable self. She encourages her audience to believe in their power to stand up, speak out and create positive change.
Using lessons from her work on the frontlines of healthcare and warzones, Rola tells the stories of everyday ordinary people who do extraordinary things, who everyday risk their own lives for others - who are the beacons of light in the darkness of war. Through this she challenges each of us to connect to our inner beacon and dare to believe in our potential, in our possibilities as individuals and as a collective.
Rola shares her message - to truly change the world we need to embrace changing ourselves, that we can’t heal others when we are deeply wounded; that we can’t destroy systems of prejudice and oppression until we can love and accept ourselves and that we can’t create peace until we end the conflict within.
The journey to bettering the world is inextricably linked to our personal journey of self realisation. Central to that self mastery is realising we must nurture and nourish ourselves as we work to create change - love, care and compassion start within ourselves. It is a journey of facing our limitations and embracing our brilliance. Of seeing the worst yet the best of humanity, of facing trauma and burnout and realising we must put the oxygen mask on ourselves first, if we are to lead on the frontlines of change.
As a woman of Arab and Muslim descent, a migrant who didn’t speak English when she arrived in Britain, she speaks with authority on self-belief, the importance of believing in your inner power, making your dreams come true and embracing our feminine qualities.








What People Are Saying
“Rola, your calling is to touch people's hearts in ways few people can... a gift and a special light you shine on all of us, an outpouring of support started immediately the moment you left the room.”
Pedro Pina, VP Global Client & Agency Solutions at Google
“I cannot thank you enough for the most wonderful and moving contribution to the Davos dinner, Rola. You were so powerful, so authentic and so impressive with your astonishing courage and compassion. There is not a person there who did not say that you were the most memorable person.”
Tina Brown, Founder & CEO Tina Brown Live Media & Women in the World
“My daughters and I really enjoyed meeting with you. We were so touched by everything you are doing…We will do everything we can to help out.”
Jane Sun, CEO & Founder Trip.com
“Your work continues to be paramount to all that is happening around the world.”
Richard Plepler, Former Chairman and CEO, HBO
I am so inspired by your work, and that of your colleagues. It's both so sad, and so inspiring at the same time. I am committed to helping you.
Susan Wojcicki, CEO of Youtube
“I am so deeply inspired by your work.”
Alyse Nelson, President & CEO, Vital Voices
Topics
The War Within: How Changing the World Starts Inside Us
From Syria to Ukraine: The one critical thing we can all do to make a difference To the war-affected
Lessons from the Frontlines
The Power of Your Voice
Burning out on the Frontlines
The Reason People Survive in Crisis
Feminine Leadership on the Frontlines
Rola has spoken alongside many heads of states, celebrities, business leaders and grass roots activists - from President Obama and Hilary Clinton to Rose McGowan, Trevor Noah, Tina Brown.
Women in the World | World Economic Forum | TED | The Daily Show | Vital Voices | Credit Suisse | Google Zeitgeist Minds | Intelligence Squared | R2HC Research Forum | Noble Women’s Initiative | Democracy Now | Hindustani Times Leadership Summit | Trip.com | Atlantic Council | BBC World Service | BBC Woman’s Hour |Channel 4 News | ITV News | Google #IAmRemarkable | ELHRA | WEM | UN | Overseas Development Institute | iMED
Speaking for Businesses
Rola has spent two decades working on the frontlines of healthcare and war as a doctor, humanitarian, campaigner and social entrepreneur.
Now as a global speaker, she is sharing her hard earned lessons and vast expertise and experiences with businesses to help them lead with purpose and flourish.
Business leaders have described Rola as a force of nature who stirs the soul of their companies. As a result of hearing her speak, they are inspired to boldly stand up, speak out and lead on the frontlines of change. Rola supports them in tackling seemingly insurmountable problems and enables them to navigate extraordinary times of change with more care, connection and community.
Through sharing her powerful personal experience of burnout and trauma and lessons learnt, she helps them recover from overwhelm to create a culture of trauma-sensitive leadership and unshakable self-care so that everyone can thrive, even in uncertain times.
Rola speaks to businesses who want to move their partners, employees or patrons, who want a powerful speaker who above all shares how despite being witness to the worst of humanity, there are still 7 billion reasons to be hopeful about being human.
Get in touch if you’d like to know more.