Inspiring Conversations with Nagham Alsamari of Imkan Leadership Development

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nagham Alsamari

Hi Nagham, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I made the decision to become a teacher when I was a 13-year old living in a refugee camp in the middle of the desert. I came to the decision after going through schooling in Iraq then in the desert camp and finding much difficulty with teachers who were not supportive of student growth.
As a teacher I found other teachers often seeking me out for support and advice and I was very active in not only ensuring students are getting a great education, they also received a hands-on experience that supported them as life long learners. Seeing that I could support students and teachers on a larger scale, I moved into a leadership role as a curriculum coordinator to provide better and more customized support. However, even as a curriculum coordinator I found gaps that the role couldn’t support and I wanted to do more as an assistant principal. Instead of working as an assistant principal, I was offered the role of principal the following year.

As a principal I spent 8 years working to enhance current systems and/or develop new ones to help the school leadership serve the students better. Extensive training was put in place to support staff in excelling at what they do. I have full faith in training and mentoring to grow others. This passion guided me to my current role as a Director of Staff Mentoring and Coaching, where I help educators and leaders grow and succeed.

My passion for adding value to others and helping them grow led me to start Imkan Leadership Development in August of 2023. My intention is to support leaders from small businesses to large corporations and help them identify potential, cultivate talent, and create thriving, collaborative work environments. Through Imkan Leadership Development, I aim to break down organizational silos, enhance communication, and foster a culture of continuous improvement and excellence. I believe in investing in our people no matter what organization, or type of business we are a part of and this is all started because I wanted to show a better example and help in growing future leaders by making the decision to become a teacher when I was 13 years old.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Throughout my life I have always found so much joy in giving and helping others. As an educator whether I’m teaching, or leading a school giving was a second nature. As an entrepreneur, however I find myself stuck selling my services as I find great difficulty in putting a price on what I do and the value I can add to others especially when I have developed a mindset of giving my entire life. It has definitely been a learning curve and I recognize that this challenge will persist in the years to come.

Navigating this transition requires me to shift my perspective. While giving remains at the heart of my work, I am learning that valuing my services does not diminish my commitment to helping others. Instead, it enhances my ability to provide even greater value. By setting a fair price, I can sustain my business, invest in my growth, and ultimately reach and support more people.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Imkan Leadership Development is still in its first year and has already helped several organizations and impacted hundreds of individuals’ professional growth through speaking engagements, community building, symposiums and networking events and training sessions. Imkan in Arabic means ability and rhymes with I Can. This rhyme underscores the empowerment and potential inherent in the name, aligning perfectly with our mission to help leaders and organizations achieve more through effective leadership and collaboration. Imkan Leadership Development offers several complementary services to empower others. Most recently, we added a new feature in our quarterly symposium Imkan Connect where we spotlight an entrepreneur so they get an opportunity to reach the community.

We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
I wasn’t born in the U.S. and came here as a refugee in 1994 and pushed myself very hard to learn the English language, graduate high school at 16 and go on to community college. Even at 16 and younger I had set a plan for myself to graduate at 21 and earn my teaching certificate so I can start making a difference and growing leaders. After receiving my BA in education, I went to get an MSSE, an MA in Administration and Supervision and currently working on my doctorate in education. I’m a certified John Maxwell Coach, Trainer, and Speaker as well as a DISC Trainer. I love learning and get really excited when I’m devouring something new so I jump at any chance I see where I can learn and lead. I’m heavily involved with Toastmasters International where I’m a president and VP of Public Relations in one of the local clubs, Area Director as well as recently organizing my own toastmasters club in Dearborn to help members joining work on their public speaking and leadership skills.

In addition, I’m also serving on the board of directors of the local Rotary Club of Dearborn as a director of fundraising and president elect as well as a member of the National Speakers Association- Michigan chapter where I also serve on the board as Director of Membership.
Through all of this, none of it is meaningful without doing what I love most and that is being a wife, a mother of two and a grandmother.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://imkanleadership.com
• Instagram: @leadwithimkan
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nagham.alsamari
• Youtube: @leadwithimkan