About

Fostering lasting peace and connection through story, empathy, and celebration of diverse ways of knowing and being.

Bridging Divides, Transforming Conflicts: A Visionary Leader in Peacebuilding

With an inherent drive to decolonize systems, Somia has always sought to inspire and uplift young leaders, particularly those from traditionally marginalized and minority populations. Somia aims to foster workplaces and societies that embody principles of humility, respect, and reciprocity.

Somia is the founder of Narratives Inc., an award-winning Planning and Design firm based in Winnipeg. She also founded Kahanee, a non-profit in Canada dedicated to amplifying stories and promoting peacebuilding through storytelling, and Kahanee Suno, a welfare organization based in Pakistan that spotlights ancestral community-based conflict transformation systems.

Portrait of Somia Sadiq

Professional Expertise

With over two decades of experience in impact assessment, and environmental planning, Somia has worked with governments, communities, and organizations globally to bridge divides and foster meaningful, systemic transformation. A highly sought-after keynote speaker, she blends business acumen with cultural wisdom, storytelling, and humor to inspire action in leadership, policy, and peacebuilding spaces.

Recognized for her groundbreaking contributions, she was inducted into the College of Fellows of the Canadian Institute of Planners, the highest honor for a professional planner in Canada. She has been featured on major podcasts and media platforms, sharing insights on identity-based conflict resolution, trauma-informed leadership, and the power of narratives in shaping societies.

Keynote Speaking Topics and Areas
of Expertise

Somia is always open to joining the conversation. Engage her for insights on:
When Stories Heal
Can stories told and heard in a good way fuel change?
Resilient Leadership
Empowering women to lead with awareness, strength, and compassion.
Strength in Diversity
Understanding the dimensions of Othering, Framing, and Trauma in bringing together strength from many people.
Beyond the Divide: Transforming Conflift for Lasting Peace
When identity fuels division, how do we turn it into a bridge?
Shame, Guilt, and Collective Progress
What role does shame and guilt play in bridging or fracturing societies?
The Illusion of Belonging
What does belonging look like in the face of otherness in Canada?
Other Topics
Exploring additional themes related to leadership, conflict transformation, and impact assessment.
Following principles of equity, Somia offers speaking fees on a sliding scale. Please contact to inquire further.
Vision
Fostering lasting peace and connection through story, empathy, and celebration of diverse ways of knowing and being.
Mission
Create a world where people and communities flourish in peace and connection, where trauma is acknowledged and healed, and where legacies of empathy shape a brighter future for all generations.