About

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“She Rises High” is more than just the Swahili translation for Rukiya, rising high has become the mantra in which she challenges and motivates her audience. 

A native of Detroit, Michigan, Rukiya values the role community support and mentoring has on young adults seeking to achieve more than just average and mediocre success. This conviction has enabled her to inspire and motivate those from various socioeconomic backgrounds, races & nationalities with her indisputable success in public speaking, writing and mentoring. 

With over 25 years of leadership in Corporate America and community involvement, Rukiya is engaging with her spirited personality, concrete and proven strategies of resilience. She is passionate about equipping young adults, transitioning from academia to the workplace, as well as, assisting leaders looking to cultivate their societal impact and career focus, enabling them to be their best selves. With a strong consistency of integrity and diligence she has become a leader among leaders. 

• Graduate of Tuskegee University (Ranked #4 for Historically Black Colleges & Universities) with a Bachelors of Science in Mechanical Engineering
• Graduate of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute with a Masters of Science in Engineering Science
• Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated
• Member of The Links, Incorporated
• Worked in progressive leadership roles in Engineering, Program Management, Operations, Digital Technology and Supply Chain Management  
• Continuously serves the community by supporting organizations such as Girl Scouts of Southern Arizona Board of Directors, Big Brother Big Sisters of America, Children's Hospital of Michigan, Co-charter NSBE Jr. (Tucson Chapter of the Links), Black Employee Resource Group etc.
• Speaker for various diversity conferences/speaking series - BEYA (Becoming Everything You Are), WOC (Women of Color), YWCA (Young Women's Christian Association), NAU (Northern Arizona University), Arizona State University, Global Inheritance's Leading Ladies Initiative
• Featured Author 
  • RESILIENT - A Key to Being Brilliant available on Amazon and select bookstores 
  • Tuskegee University In My Words - The Oral History Project
• Owner/Operator of The Tucson Cotton Candy Co