For over 25 years, Salma Karina Hayat has been a driving force behind the launch and management of multiple ventures across e-commerce, digital marketing, and lead generation for direct marketing campaigns. She has also successfully developed multifamily residential properties, providing modern living solutions to meet the needs of rapidly expanding urban populations.
As the Transformation, Change, and Innovation Advisor at Kudos Technologies, Salma Karina Hayat utilizes AI, automation, and data analytics to create innovative solutions that tackle inefficiencies in SMEs. She leads a dedicated team focused on developing customized software that enhances sales, streamlines operations, and optimizes marketing strategies for businesses of all sizes.
Salma Karina Hayat’s passion for community service was sparked at an early age in Guatemala, where she assisted her father in teaching illiterate adults in a makeshift classroom at just five years old. This formative experience led 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 advocates for various social causes, including family reunification, mental health awareness, interfaith dialogue, and homelessness prevention. As a former Chairwoman of the BCMA Vancouver chapter, she played a key role in strengthening community cohesion and safety. Her humanitarian efforts extend internationally, including her work supporting Syrian refugee families, reinforcing her steadfast commitment to creating meaningful change.
Beyond philanthropy, Salma Karina Hayat is a strong proponent of education and mentorship. She dedicates time to guiding young entrepreneurs and aspires to author a book, establish an orphanage, and build a homeless shelter, further emphasizing her lifelong dedication to social impact and community welfare.
Despite her demanding schedule, Salma Karina Hayat prioritizes health and wellness. She strongly believes that a balanced diet, consistent exercise, and mental resilience are essential for success. She instills these values in her family, encouraging her children to embrace active and healthy lifestyles from an early age.
As a highly sought-after speaker, Salma Karina Hayat shares her expertise at conferences and contributes to the professional growth of entrepreneurs. Her accomplishments have earned her numerous prestigious awards, 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 Government of Canada’s Women of Impact award in recognition of her groundbreaking contributions over the past 25 years.
Her influential 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, highlighting her far-reaching impact across various industries.