Hanaa Ali is a Project Manager at Black Planning Project, where she manages research and consulting projects that aim to improve planning processes and outcomes for Black communities. Hanaa holds a Master’s in Human Settlements and a PhD from KU Leuven, Belgium. Her academic research centers on forced displacement and the urban policies that shape displaced persons’ right to the city. Her work provides critical insights into the complexities of settlement and displacement within urban environments, offering a nuanced perspective on how cities can become more inclusive and equitable.
Keen on advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within professional organizations and nonprofits, Hanaa served as Vice-Chair of the Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Allyship (IDEA) Committee at Toronto Commercial Real Estate for Women from 2020 to 2022. She is also a passionate advocate for empowering young talent. In 2023, she spearheaded the upskilling of Black youth through the Advanced Digital and Professional Training program at the Diversity Institute, Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU).