From war zones to global newsrooms, Atia delivers gripping stories that capture attention and inspire audiences to think, lead, and collaborate differently.
Storytelling that moves people and drives change…
Providing A Global Lens That Expands Perspective.
Atia’s reporting across Afghanistan, the Middle East, and all over the world equips audiences to better understand cultural nuance, global context, and the human experience behind world events.
Drawing from lived experience rather than theory, Atia teaches how to lead under pressure, navigate uncertainty, and make principled decisions - skills relevant in classrooms, teams, and boardrooms.
Real Lessons in Resilience and Courage.
Her voice bridges age, profession, and culture, delivering messages that land with students, early-career professionals, senior leaders, and community groups alike.
Resonates Across Generations and Backgrounds.
About
Atia Abawi is an award-winning journalist, author, analyst and writer.
For two-decades she worked as a foreign correspondent and International Affairs Analyst. She started her network career at CNN, then NBC News and Al Jazeera English.
Atia’s first book, The Secret Sky: A Novel of Forbidden Love in Afghanistan was published in September 2014. Her second book, A Land Of Permanent Goodbyes, was released in January 2018 to critical acclaim. The story is based on the Syrian Refugee Crisis. Her 3rd book, She Persisted: Sally Ride was released in March 2021 and is part of the inspiration children book series created by Chelsea Clinton.
In 2022, Atia began her television writing career and is represented by The Gotham Group.
She has won numerous awards for both her journalistic achievements and written, including The George Foster Peabody Award and The duPont-Columbia Awards.
Client Testimonials
“Atia was a fantastic moderator for the virtual launch of Tent’s Afghan Refugee Mentorship Program. The level of professionalism, preparation, and poise she brought was exceptional and we’re so grateful to her for her pivotal role in making this meaningful event such a resounding success.”
— Haiwen Langworth |Global Director of Communications & Marketing |Tent Partnership for Refugees“Atia Abawi’s talk was both enlightening and deeply personal. Her powerful storytelling, shaped by her experience as a refugee and her extensive reporting around the globe, provided a unique perspective on the challenges and triumphs of democracy. It was a compelling and thought-provoking session that left the audience with a deeper understanding of the global democratic landscape.”
— Misha Garg | Director of People Analytics and Immigrants ERG Lead | Thumbtack, LLC“Atia is a force for good. Beginning with a powerful morning Chapel Talk to classroom visits, to a lunch discussion with several high school students, to dinner, discussion, and an Afghan tea ceremony, her positive interactions were age appropriate for her audience, and her magnetic personality, authentic leadership, and heartfelt delivery captivated everyone who met her! Atia was a pleasure to meet and a true collaborator.”
— Bethany Dickerson Wynder | Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiatives | St. Paul’s School“Atia Abawi visited my students (grades 8-12) and was very well received. Faculty members were impressed too. Her presentations were engaging and heartfelt. It was a bonus to have her speak as both a journalist and an author. The students were truly inspired by her, as evidenced by the many students who thanked me for bringing Ms. Abawi to the school. Atia is very personable; and it was also easy working with Conor, her rep. If you are looking for a wonderful speaker experience, I highly recommend Ms. Atia Abawi.”
— Matt Rager | Director of Osborne Fellowships in Writing | Hathaway Brown School“Atia was wonderful! The students were riveted by her fascinating story. She was such an engaging speaker, expertly weaving together her life experience and her perspective as a journalist in a way that students found engaging, inspiring, and accessible all at the same time. We especially appreciated how she responded to student questions with unflinching honesty, while always being sensitive to the audience context. We can't wait to have her back!”
— Charles R. Newman | Naperville, IL | Rotary Club of Naperville“Atia was a fantastic keynote speaker and moderator for our inaugural International Service Summit in 2018. Her level of preparation, professionalism, and composure both on stage and with our participants was exceptional. We are so grateful to Atia for her pivotal role in making this significant event such a resounding success. Her personal experiences and perspective are something everyone should hear, particularly today in these challenging political settings that are impacting the personal living circumstances for countless underserved people around the world.”
— Diana Armentor | Director of Libraries | The Awty International School
