Mohamed Ali Diini

At nine years old, Mohamed Ali Diini fled Somalia’s civil war. Years later, he returned to help young Somalis navigate the challenges of conflict and poverty. Hoping to run entrepreneurship training programmes, he soon realised that many of the participants struggled to focus, retain new skills, or keep jobs. Here, he saw firsthand how trauma can rewire the human brain for survival, making it almost impossible for talented people to seize opportunity.

Mohamed Ali Diini has since described what he calls the “Trauma Tax” — an invisible tax of 3.5 trillion dollars that quietly erodes performance in our workplaces, schools, and economies. Data suggests that the effects of unaddressed trauma include absenteeism, reduced innovation, and the loss of human potential.

Mohamed now leads Iftin Global, a model that integrates healing into economic programmes. His programme demonstrates significant outcomes, including an 83% reduction in depression and 98% job retention rates, suggesting that addressing trauma can serve as a powerful economic strategy. Today, Iftin’s initiatives reach thousands of young people in conflict-affected regions.

Featured in The New York Times, TIME, and The Guardian—with appearances on CNN and BBC—Mohamed has become a definitive voice on trauma’s economic impact. A McNulty Prize winner, Aspen Institute Fellow, and BMW Foundation Responsible Leader, his TED Talk has crossed one million views, while his writing, interviews, and keynotes reach millions globally. His work continues to inform leaders across sectors—from corporations to civil society and government. He is currently writing Ending the Trauma Tax: Why Healing Minds is the Key to Building Economies. Through his book and newsletter, he provides leaders with the framework to unlock human potential and build a more prosperous, resilient world.