Alumni Feature: Abbasse N. (Class of 2020)

Abbasse N. graduated with a bachelor's degree in law from the University of Birmingham. Reflecting on her journey, she shares, "While working on my legal dissertation and analyzing the gaps in the United Kingdom’s Anti-Money Laundering legislation, I discovered a passionate calling to combat financial crime." Armed with her law degree, Abbasse is now dedicated to becoming a certified specialist in Anti-Money Laundering.

During her time at CIA FIRST, Abbasse remembers grappling with the Habits of Mind journal entries, particularly the theme of “Finding Humor.” As she has evolved both emotionally and professionally, she finds herself instinctively revisiting those lessons to help navigate frustrations arising from interactions with difficult individuals. Her favorite quote, “Don't waste time on foolish flights of fancy,” serves as a steadfast reminder to stay focused and determined in her pursuits. 

Living and working in the UK has exposed her to individuals from diverse backgrounds, each with varying levels of tolerance, turning those experiences into valuable lessons. "Maintaining mental health often requires finding humor in challenging situations, especially when faced with microaggressions and intimidation."

Abbasse’s profound love and empathy for her community were significantly shaped by her leadership as the Interact Club president at CIA FIRST. Through leading numerous projects, fundraising efforts, and volunteering after school to assemble donation bags, she was inspired to pursue a law degree. Now, as she focuses on financial crime and Anti-Money Laundering, she remains committed to using her skills to advocate for those whose voices often go unheard. “My goal is to broaden my impact by utilizing my legal expertise to protect individuals who are frequently marginalized by the financial system and lack access to legal representation.”