Hagir S. Elsheikh

Hagir S. Elsheikh (born January 9, 1977) is an American entrepreneur, human rights advocate, healthcare professional, author, poet, and public speaker. She is the Chairwoman and CEO of Hagir Network LLC and the founder of multiple organizations, including Tomorrow's Smile, Inc., Kareem’s Mission, HSE Staffing Agency LLC, and KMission TV LLC. A survivor of political persecution and gender-based violence in Sudan, Elsheikh has dedicated her career to advancing refugee rights, autism support, and domestic violence prevention.

In 2025, she was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Central Penn College for her humanitarian advocacy.^[1] In recognition of her impact, she has received numerous awards, including the GlobeSt.com 2025 Woman of Influence honor in the Humanitarian category.^[2]

Hagir Elsheikh was born and raised in Sudan. Growing up during periods of political unrest, she became active in the pro-democracy movement from a young age, advocating for democratic reforms against the Al-Bashir regime. Her activism led to her arrest and experiences of torture, ultimately prompting her asylum in the United States in 1998.

In the U.S., Elsheikh pursued higher education at Harrisburg Area Community College, earning an Associate Degree in Nursing.^[3] She later completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and a Master’s Degree in Leadership and Management at Grand Canyon University.^[4] She is licensed as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) and a Registered Nurse (RN) in Pennsylvania.

After completing her nursing education, Elsheikh began her career in healthcare and expanded her work into human rights advocacy and nonprofit leadership.

In 2018, she founded Tomorrow’s Smile, Inc., a nonprofit organization supporting survivors of domestic violence. In response to the need for culturally sensitive autism services, she established Kareem’s Mission to support families affected by autism.

Elsheikh further expanded her impact by launching KMission TV LLC, a media platform creating inclusive content focused on autism acceptance, refugee experiences, and human rights advocacy. She is also the host of The Hagir Show, where she interviews public figures, advocates, and leaders on topics related to democracy, social justice, and disability rights.^[5]

She is the founder and CEO of HSE Staffing Agency LLC, a non-medical healthcare staffing company, and Autism Care Solutions LLC, specializing in autism-focused home care services. She later established the Kareem’s Mission Autism Support Community Center to provide educational, therapeutic, and community services to children with autism.

Through Hagir Network LLC, Elsheikh continues to amplify underrepresented voices, mentor emerging leaders, and produce advocacy-based media content.

Elsheikh serves on the Board of Trustees for:

• Torture Abolition and Survivors Support Coalition (TASSC) International
• Church World Service (CWS)
• World Affairs Council of Harrisburg
• Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC)
• Kareem’s Mission Organization
• Tomorrow’s Smile, Inc.

She collaborates with organizations such as:

• United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
• Amnesty International
• Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC)
• Grand Canyon University
• Johns Hopkins University
• University of Pennsylvania
• Dickinson College
• Central Penn College

• 2017: "Woman of Influence" – Central Penn Business Journal^[6]
• 2017: Health Care Hero Award – Central Penn Business Journal^[7]
• 2017–2018: "Simply the Best Staffing Agency" – Readers' Choice Awards (HSE Staffing)^[8]
• 2018: Honored by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania during the Year of the Woman Celebration
• 2019: Inducted into the Grand Canyon University Hall of Fame^[4]
• 2019: "Simply the Best Community Activist" – Central Pennsylvania^[8]
• 2019: Distinguished Alumni Award – Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC)^[3]
• 2020: Cover feature – Business Women’s Magazine^[5]
• 2021: Nominee – Best Places to Work (HSE Staffing)
• 2022: Black History Month Honoree – PennLive and Patriot-News^[9]
• 2023: ALC Black Excellence Community Service Award^[10]
• 2023: Honored by the Women's History Garden, Civic Club of Harrisburg
• 2024: Carolyne L. Smith Legacy Award – YWCA Greater Harrisburg^[11]
• 2024: Harambee Award – Life Esteem
• 2025: Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters – Central Penn College^[1]
• 2025: Woman of Influence in the Humanitarian Category – GlobeSt.com^[2]

Elsheikh speaks frequently on human rights, refugee advocacy, autism awareness, domestic violence prevention, and women's empowerment. Her public speaking engagements include appearances at Central Penn College, Rotary Clubs, autism conferences, and women's leadership events across the United States.

She has been featured on media networks including Voice of America (VOA), BBC News, France 24, Alhurra TV, ABC News, CBS, TRT World, Al Arabiya, Alaraby TV, ART America, WITF-Smart Talk, and others.

• Through Tragedy and Triumph: A Life Well Traveled (Memoir, 2020), available on Amazon.

Proceeds from the book support domestic violence survivors through Tomorrow’s Smile and the HSE Second Chance Scholarship at HACC.

Elsheikh is the mother of Kareem, whose autism diagnosis inspired her advocacy for neurodiverse children and families. She resides in Pennsylvania and continues to lead initiatives in human rights, refugee advocacy, healthcare access, and social justice education