Over the past 25 years, Salma Karina Hayat has played a pivotal role in launching and managing multiple ventures spanning e-commerce, digital marketing, and lead generation for direct marketing campaigns. She has also successfully developed multifamily residential properties, focusing on modern living solutions that cater to the needs of rapidly growing urban populations.
As the Transformation, Change, and Innovation Advisor at Kudos Technologies, Salma Karina Hayat leverages AI, automation, and data analytics to develop solutions that address inefficiencies in SMEs. She leads a dedicated team committed to crafting custom software that enhances sales, optimizes processes, and strengthens marketing strategies for businesses of all sizes.
Salma Karina Hayat is deeply committed to community service. Her passion for social impact began in Guatemala, where, at the age of five, she assisted her father in teaching illiterate adults in a makeshift classroom. This early experience inspired her to co-found Canada’s first Muslim Food Bank and the “100 Meals a Week” initiative, both dedicated to supporting vulnerable individuals in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.
She actively engages in various social causes, including family reunification, mental health advocacy, interfaith dialogue, and efforts to combat homelessness. As a former Chairwoman of the BCMA Vancouver chapter, she worked tirelessly to enhance community cohesion and safety. Her international humanitarian efforts, including supporting Syrian refugee families, further demonstrate her unwavering commitment to driving meaningful change.
Beyond her philanthropic work, Salma Karina Hayat is a strong advocate for education and mentorship. She actively mentors young entrepreneurs and aspires to author a book, establish an orphanage, and build a homeless shelter, reinforcing her dedication to social impact and community welfare.
Despite her demanding schedule, Salma Karina Hayat prioritizes health and wellness. She firmly believes in maintaining a balanced diet, regular exercise, and mental resilience as key factors for success in all aspects of life. She instills these values in her family, encouraging her children to adopt active and healthy lifestyles from an early age.
As a sought-after speaker, Salma Karina Hayat shares her expertise at conferences and contributes to the professional development of entrepreneurs. Her achievements have earned her numerous accolades, including WXN Canada’s Most Powerful Women, CHATELAINE PROFIT W100 Canada’s Top Female Entrepreneurs, and recognition as an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Pacific Finalist. In 2022, she was honored with the prestigious Women of Impact award from the Government of Canada for her groundbreaking contributions over the past 25 years.
Her impactful work has been featured in leading publications such as Global Citizen Forum, Yahoo! News, UNHCR, Global News, Press Reader, CBC, HuffPost, Lean In Canada, BC Tech Association, and the Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub, showcasing her far-reaching influence across various industries.