Psychotherapist. Trauma-Informed Leadership Consultant. Public Speaker. Human Rights Advocate.
LEYLA’S EXPERTISE
PSYCHOTHERAPIST
As a licensed psychotherapist, Dr Leyla Hussein specialises in supporting survivors of sexual violence, female genital mutilation (FGM), and other forms of gender-based violence. Combining clinical expertise with lived experience and over twenty years of advocacy, she offers trauma-informed therapy that is compassionate, culturally responsive, and grounded in dignity, empowerment, and hope.
CONSULTANT
Dr Leyla Hussein is an internationally recognised consultant specialising in trauma-informed leadership, organisational wellbeing, safeguarding, and human rights. She works with governments, international organisations, NGOs, foundations, businesses, and technology companies to develop strategies, policies, and workplace cultures that strengthen leadership, protect people, and embed a Do No Harm approach into organisational practice.
This is a much stronger reflection of the consultancy you've built. It moves away from the narrow idea of "advising policymakers" and positions you as a trusted adviser to leaders and organisations across sectors.
Human Rights Advocate
For more than two decades, Dr Leyla Hussein has been a leading voice in advancing human rights, gender equality, and social justice. She works alongside survivors, grassroots movements, governments, international organisations, and communities to challenge harmful practices, influence policy, and create lasting systemic change.
Her advocacy is rooted in a survivor-centred, trauma-informed approach and is guided by a simple principle: that every person has the right to live free from violence, discrimination, and harm. Through public advocacy, policy influence, and global partnerships, she continues to champion the rights, dignity, and safety of women, children, human rights defenders, and marginalised communities.
ABOUT LEYLA
Dr Leyla Hussein is a psychotherapist, trauma-informed leadership consultant, public speaker, and internationally recognised human rights advocate. Best known for her pioneering work to end female genital mutilation (FGM), she now works globally to advance trauma-informed leadership, organisational wellbeing, safeguarding, and human rights.
LEYLA’S WORK
The Girl Generation
Leyla currently works as the Global Advocacy Lead at The Girl Generation: Support to the Africa-Led Movement to End FGM/C. The consortium takes a girl-centered approach where funding and focus are directed to women and girls to take lead their own conversations and have expanded choice and agency.
Magool
Magool was founded by Leyla in 2018 and has since developed to provide organisations consulting and training on wellbeing in the workplace. Magool offers resources and training to help develop healthy working practices to improve performance, build resilience and promote wellbeing.
Safe Spaces for Black Women
Leyla co-founded Safe Spaces for Black Women in 2020 to serve as a wellbeing platform for Black women affected by COVID-19, racism, patriarchy, the current political system, and mental health issues. In this space, therapists provide support and facilitate sessions in virtual meet-ups.
RECENT PODCAST APPEARANCES
Thanks to Your Support, We Have Made History.
Statement on my election as Rector at the University of St Andrews
It has been a crazy time since I was asked to stand in the election as the new Rector of the University of St Andrews. I was ridiculously busy as the campaign coincided with the start of my new role as Global Advocacy Director and Deputy Team Leader of the Africa-led Movement to end Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and the students who ran my campaign were having to cope with the difficulties of being at university during the coronavirus pandemic as well as working with my hectic diary. However, challenging times forge special relationships and we all pulled together brilliantly. I would like to thank every one of the team for their passion and hard work. I am proud of you.
I was both surprised and humbled to be elected as the new Rector. I respect and admire Dr Fiona Hill and Ken Cochran. We each brought quite different experiences to the election so it was not easy to predict who would win and I did not expect to do so against such strong competition. I am however delighted to be the new Rector and I promise to represent all students and to listen to all views and ideas. From my first visit to St Andrews in February 2020, I have been impressed by the strong community and I firmly believe it is by respecting each other and building on what we have in common that we will all prosper.
When I was a teenager struggling with schoolwork in a new language, I can honestly say that having such a significant role in one of the world’s oldest and most respected universities is not something that I thought was possible. My family came to the UK as refugees from the civil war in Somalia and my parents had to build a new life for their young family. They worked hard and sacrificed much to make sure my sister, my brother and I had opportunities to thrive. Now it is my turn to help make sure the next generation is supported and given opportunities and as the mother of an 18-year-old daughter, this role is very personal for me.
Each generation has its own challenges and its own set of advantages and disadvantages. For the students at St Andrews, the coronavirus pandemic is having an enormous impact and affects all aspects of life. Universities are having to find new ways to deliver a high-quality education and keep students and staff safe. We are all facing restrictions on how we behave, where we can go and who we can socialise with. At times it can feel overwhelming for young people at university and away from their families, and those of us in positions of responsibility at universities have a special duty of care at this difficult time. The wellbeing of everyone at St Andrews, including their mental health, will be my number one priority.
I am immensely proud to be the first black woman elected as Rector and I also know that I am following in the footsteps of many greatly distinguished people who have held this position. I have a lot to live up to and one thing I want to be very clear about is that I am not here to be a token black woman or to tick a box on a diversity checklist. I am thrilled if I am an inspiring role model for black girls, but I want to be a good role model for all young people and I stood in this election to be a great Rector and strong advocate for the students at St Andrews. Hopefully, my appointment represents a positive step forward for St Andrews, but it is only one step in a long journey. As a community, we need to work together to root out racism, sexism, and any unfair discrimination wherever we find it. I am glad that St Andrews has already committed to removing barriers for disadvantaged students, increasing diversity, and improving support for BAME students and staff. Now this must be delivered and we need to look beyond our differences to what we share and what brings us together: our passion for learning; a desire to improve ourselves and the world we live in; and, our compassion for others.
I am excited to begin work, and I am ready to roll up my sleeves and get stuck in. Meetings and discussions may be online rather than in person for the coming months due to Covid restrictions but as soon as I can, I will be hopping on a train to visit and meet as many students as possible. I am grateful for the very warm welcome extended to me from so many and I look forward to serving and collaborating with you during my term as Rector.