Laila has led feminist communications projects in Canada and the Middle East for the past 14 years. She was Communications Coordinator for COCo Centre for Community Organizations, Director of Communications for the Canadian Women’s Health Network, and Media Coordinator for the Coalition for Women’s Equality (during the 2006 Canadian Federal election). Her writing has appeared in the Feminist Wire, the Globe and Mail, Herizons magazine, The New Quarterly and The Islamic Monthly. She holds a Master's degree in Gender and International Development from the University of Warwick, and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Middle East Studies and Women's Studies from McGill University.