Expertise in: Rohingya Women's Rights

Nurhayati Ali is a Rohingya community organizer based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, dedicated to advancing women’s inclusion and empowerment within her community. Born in Yangon, Myanmar, she resettled in Wisconsin in 2002 as part of the state’s first Rohingya family and grew up in the United States as a Rohingya refugee. She is the Co-Founder and Director of Health and Human Services at the Rohingya Maìyafuìnor Collaborative Network, a women-led, refugee-led, and Rohingya-led organization working on human rights, sexual and gender-based violence prevention, education, and translocal solidarity with a focus on women, peace, and security.

Professionally, Nurhayati is an aspiring dentist, and she earned her undergraduate degree in Neurobiology from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. In her free time, she enjoys drawing, arts and crafts, and exploring new cafés and hobbies. Her work in both healthcare and advocacy is rooted in her identity as a Rohingya woman and her commitment to supporting and uplifting her community. Through healthcare, arts, and service, she hopes to create spaces where marginalized voices are heard and to inspire young women and girls to believe in their ability to grow, heal, and rise despite adversity.