Laila Hajoo

Laila was born in Denver, Colorado to an American-white mother and an Iraqi-Immigrant father. Was raised in Seattle, WA, and graduated at the University of Washington with a B.Sc. in Mathematics. Worked for several technical companies as a software engineer and Quality Assurance Test Manager for about 38 years. Laila resided in Baghdad, Iraq as a child for a few years and maintains connections with her family in Baghdad, Iraq. Laila is married to a Japanese-American and has traveled to several countries around the world, exposed to different cultures and perspectives.

Laila is a co- founder of Islamic Social Services of Oregon State (ISOS), a non-profit social service agency that serves those in need in the states of Oregon and SW Washington. She remains as their President after 21 years of volunteer services. In addition, she serves as the Executive Secretary for Portland Police Bureau Muslim Advisory Council and is Co-Chair of the Coalition of Advisory Groups with Portland Police Bureau. She is also on the Community Services Network Steering Committee, where about 200 agencies that provide services to those in need, meet monthly to discuss issues, resources and establish connections. Laila is also serving as IRCO's first Chair for the Greater Middle East Center (GMEC) Advisory Group. Laila was awarded by Governor Kate Brown with the Oregon Woman Achievement Award for 2020.