About Zayera: A Global Path to Stockholm

A Journey of Six Countries

My story is one of movement. Born in Karachi, Pakistan in 1974, my roots stretch across the Punjab and Kashmir regions. But if you ask where my sense of adventure comes from, I look to my parents—educators who weren’t afraid to cross borders.

From the age of four, I grew up in Nigeria. Those years (1978–1984) left me with vivid, fond memories of a vibrant culture that shaped my early worldview. When the political climate shifted, we moved again—this time to the quiet, academic streets of Lund, Sweden, where my father pursued his Ph.D. in Chemistry.

Living across Pakistan, Nigeria, and Sweden by the age of ten taught me the most valuable skill I own: the ability to read a place deeply.

Designing for Humans: Education & UX

I’ve always been curious about how people think and how they interact with the world. This led me to a path in Cognitive Science at the University of Skövde and later to Interaction Design at Malmö University.

I didn’t just want to build technology; I wanted to understand the „why“ behind it. After a stint as a research assistant at KTH in Stockholm, I stepped into the IT world in 2000.

The Professional Nomad

My career in digital strategy and product development has been as international as my childhood. I’ve lived, worked, and „learned the moods“ of:

  • Zurich & Lausanne, Switzerland: Where I mastered the German language and became fluent.

  • Amsterdam, Holland: Diving into the Dutch way of living and working.

  • California, USA: Experiencing the heart of tech innovation.

Since 2008, I have called Stockholm home. Over the last 16 years, I’ve worked with both major private corporations and the Swedish public sector.

Why This Matters for You

Whether I am designing a digital service for a government agency or guiding you through the architectural history of Stockholm, I bring two decades of UX expertise and a multicultural lens to the table.

I see Stockholm as both an immigrant and a local—with the curiosity of an outsider and the intimacy of someone who truly belongs here. I don’t just show you the sites; I help you understand the connection between history, design, and daily life.

Civic Engagement & Positions of Trust

I believe that belonging to a society means contributing to it. Over the last two decades in Sweden, I have committed myself to roles that safeguard integrity, champion equality, and uphold the judicial process.

Below is a summary of my past civic engagements and board memberships. While I am not currently holding any formal positions of trust, I am always open to new proposals where my experience in digital strategy, social advocacy can make an impact.

Justice, Privacy & Legal Oversight

With over 12 years of experience in the Swedish judicial system, I have worked to ensure transparency and fairness in our institutions.

  • Lay Judge (Nämndeman): Svea Court of Appeal (2015–2019) and Stockholm District Court (2013–2014).

  • Advisory Council Member: Swedish Privacy Protection Authority (IMY), 2020–2023.

  • Board Member: Swedish Security and Integrity Protection Board (SIN), 2015–2019.

  • Legal Guardian (God Man): Authorized by the Chief Guardian’s Office in Stockholm, 2020–2022.

  • Nominating Committee: Lay Judge selection for the Green Party (MP) Stockholm District, 2023.

  • Animal Ethics Committee: Stockholm District Court, 2019–2020.

Equity, Diversity & LGBTQ+ Advocacy

My activism is rooted in the belief that design—whether digital or social—must be inclusive from the ground up.

  • Stockholm Pride: Board Member (2016–2017) and lead for the Anti-Racism Working Group (2015–2016).

  • Interfem: Board Member and Chair of the Nominating Committee (2012–2014).

  • RFSL Stockholm: Nominating Committee (2014–2015).

  • Feministiskt Perspektiv: Board Chair and Member for the digital news magazine (2013–2015).

  • PMS Association (PMS-förbundet): Chairperson (2018–2019).

  • Menstrual Activism: Producer of documentaries and author of articles focusing on menstrual health and stigma.

Sustainability & Political Leadership

Combining environmental advocacy with strategic planning.

  • The Green Party (Miljöpartiet) Stockholm:

    • Board Member, Stockholm City (2012–2014).

    • Member of the Gender Equality Committee (2013–2015).

    • Parliamentary Candidate (2014).

    • Developed the party’s comprehensive Equality and Diversity Plan.

  • Green Growth & Climate: Steering group member for the Climate Change Initiative (2012–2014).

  • Community Education: Circle leader for „Collective Housing and Co-living“ at Studiefrämjandet (2019).

Core Values in Action

My work across these sectors is driven by a consistent focus on:

  • Digital Integrity & Rights: Protecting the individual in an increasingly connected world.

  • Social Inclusion: Ensuring HBTQ+ individuals and marginalized groups have a seat at the table.

  • Meaningful Participation: Moving beyond tokenism to create real, structural change.

Do you have a project or a board position that requires a mix of digital expertise and civic heart?