Ramla Sahid

PANA’s Founder and Executive Director, Ramla Sahid is committed to nurturing authentic, community driven campaigns to champion policies and practices that address racial disparities, expand protections, and promote belonging for refugee and immigrant families. Nearly ten years later, PANA is a San Diego regional leader and has a nationally respected voice on issues impacting refugees. Most recently Ramla has led efforts to secure 2.2 acres of community-owned and stewarded land to become a Refugee and Immigrant Community Hub.  PANA is a model for civic engagement and advocacy strategies.  

Prior to founding PANA, Ramla spent over a decade organizing campaigns to promote human rights, end youth incarceration, expand access to healthcare, and advocate for food justice. Her commitment to working in service and in-community with refugees stems from her own refugee experience. Ramla was born in Somalia and came to the United States with her family as a young child, and grew up in City Heights, San Diego.