Over the past 25 years, Karina Hayat has played a pivotal role in launching and managing a variety of ventures across e-commerce, digital marketing, and lead generation for direct marketing campaigns. She has also successfully developed multifamily residential properties, focusing on delivering modern living solutions to accommodate the needs of rapidly expanding urban populations.
Currently serving as the Transformation, Change, and Innovation Advisor at Kudos Technologies, Karina leverages AI, automation, and data analytics to develop solutions that address inefficiencies in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). She leads a dedicated team that crafts custom software to accelerate sales, streamline processes, and optimize marketing strategies for companies of all sizes.
Karina’s commitment to community service is deeply rooted in her upbringing. At just five years old, she assisted her father in teaching illiterate adults in a makeshift classroom in Guatemala, which ignited her lifelong passion for social impact. This early experience led Karina to co-found Canada’s first Muslim Food Bank and the “100 Meals a Week” initiative, dedicated to addressing the diverse needs of vulnerable individuals in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside (DTES).
Her advocacy spans a wide range of social issues, including family reunification, mental health, interfaith dialogue, and combating homelessness. As the former Chairwoman of the BCMA Vancouver chapter, Karina worked tirelessly to promote community cohesion and safety. Her international humanitarian work also includes supporting Syrian refugee families, underscoring her unwavering dedication to driving positive change.
Karina’s influence extends into mentoring young entrepreneurs, fostering education, and offering guidance on leadership and business strategies. She aspires to author a book, establish an orphanage, and open a homeless shelter, reflecting her deep commitment to social welfare.
Despite her busy schedule, Karina places a strong emphasis on health and wellness. She advocates for a balanced diet, regular physical activity, and mental resilience, believing these factors are key to success in all areas of life. She instills these values in her own family, encouraging her children to embrace healthy, active lifestyles from a young age.
As a highly sought-after speaker, Karina shares her expertise at conferences, contributing to the professional development of entrepreneurs. Her accomplishments have garnered numerous accolades, including being named one of WXN Canada’s Most Powerful Women, a recipient of the Chatelaine PROFIT W100 Top Female Entrepreneurs award, and an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Pacific Finalist. In 2022, she was honored with the prestigious Women of Impact award from the Government of Canada, celebrating her pioneering achievements over the past 25 years.
Karina’s remarkable work has been featured in prominent publications such as Global Citizen Forum, Yahoo! News, UNHCR, Global News, Press Reader, CBC, HuffPost, Lean In Canada, BC Tech Association, and the Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub, highlighting her broad influence across various sectors.