Wearing Her Faith: How the Hijab Empowers Laila Altanbour ’25

For Laila Altanbour ’25, May 24, 2022, serves as a reminder of a pivotal decision that she says would define her future. It’s the day she committed to wearing the hijab, a head covering worn by Muslim women, as a marker of her faith.  

“When I chose to wear the hijab after my freshman year at Bentley, even though no one else wore it, I stepped into a role where I could positively represent Islam and inspire other Muslim women to embrace their faith with confidence,” Altanbour shared during Bentley’s annual MLK Program in January. “Embracing discomfort isn’t always easy, but it’s absolutely necessary.” 

The decision didn’t come lightly. Though Altanbour was born and raised Muslim, it wasn’t until high school that she connected more deeply with her faith. “I found myself frequently thinking about putting on the hijab, but I didn’t have the confidence to do it until I came to Bentley,” she says. 

“I believe that when you sacrifice something for God, he will replace it with something so much better, and I’ve totally found that to be true,” Altanbour adds, referring to Islamic teachings. “Since I put on the hijab, I’ve had so many doors open, more than I would have even imagined.” 

Inclusive Internship 

One of those doors led to an unexpected project during a summer 2023 product development design internship at TJX Companies. It started when Altanbour, who is a Marketing major with an Experience Design minor, offered thoughtful ideas related to Muslim store associates and consumers. Selling Ramadan and Eid holiday decorations, for example, and designing clothing displays with more conservative outfits like high necklines, long sleeves and opaque versus sheer material.  

“Essentially the conversation started when I was fasting on a day that included an intern breakfast, and I was asked why I wasn’t eating,” Altanbour recalls. “It wasn’t Ramadan, but I explained that it was part of my practices. A TJX manager asked if I would be willing to share more about my culture and my religion. I was excited. I saw it as my opportunity to educate.” 

That discussion led Altanbour to build a more formal presentation on Islamic inclusivity in business that included being an ally for Muslim associates, more thoughtfully considering Muslim consumers, providing support in the workplace and Muslim representation in stores. She presented four different times to a total of about 500 TJX employees.  

“I felt like I had a positive impact, and that’s why DE&I [diversity, equity and inclusion] in business matters so much,” Altanbour says. “Having someone from a specific background at the table can broaden a company’s understanding and perspective.

“When I saw my impact in effect in stores — the Eid and Ramadan decor as well as reusable tote bags — it was a powerful reminder that being faith-forward in my career can create meaningful change.”

Altanbour inspired TJX designers to create Ramadan-themed reusable shopping bags, which gained attention on social media platforms.

A Self-Advocate and Champion for Others 

While Altanbour credits the decision to wear the hijab as a turning point in her life, she recognizes that she has always been driven and had a strong sense of self. Her first semester at Bentley, she joined the Muslim Student Association (MSA) and was elected president junior year — a role that garnered recognition as Student Organization Leader of the Year by Student Programs & Engagement in 2024.  

Among the MSA initiatives she introduced: Ramadan for Rookies, an event created in coordination with Spiritual Life, for the Bentley community to learn more about Ramadan, participate in fasting and listen to testimonials. 

A passionate supporter of women, Altanbour moderated a student panel at the Bentley Women in Business Summit, hosted by the Office of Undergraduate Admission, and attended the Forté Undergraduate Women of Color Symposium hosted by the Center for Women in Business. Joining the ADCOLOR 2024 Conference last fall left a lasting impression. Founded by Bentley Trustee Tiffany R. Warren, ADCOLOR champions people in creative industries who come from a variety of backgrounds and life experiences. 

“Hearing from accomplished professionals who achieved so much without a clear roadmap, and while staying true to their identities and values, was truly inspiring,” Altanbour says of the event. “The ADCOLOR mission, ‘Rise Up, Reach Back,’ deeply resonates with me. It reflects my ‘why:’ to grow through experience and education, not just for personal gain but to empower others to help others succeed in all areas of life.” 

Altanbour also put her ‘why’ to work last fall as a nonprofit resource development intern as part of the course Nonprofit Internship Program [SO 421]. She worked on fundraising, special events, website auditing and overall community engagement initiatives at the Waltham Boys & Girls Club.  

Formative Faith in Action 

If it sounds like Altanbour is busy, she is. And it’s not surprising that she purposefully planned it that way. 

“Being a commuter, I’ve tried to make the most out of every single opportunity, in part because my family and I are investing financially for me to attend Bentley and also to make it worth traveling back-and-forth to campus,” she says. “But on a broader level, when I look at opportunities, I ask myself if I will be an asset or if it’s a learning opportunity — or both.” 

It’s why she became a DEI intern at the Multicultural Center and served as a social media coordinator then student ambassador for Bentley MOSAIC Experience — a pre-orientation program for open to first-year students of color and allies. Her decision to be a tour guide for the Office of Undergraduate Admission also had a purpose: to develop her public speaking skills and share her Bentley experience with prospective students.  

To gain a global business perspective, Altanbour did a two-week faculty-led study abroad course, Artificial Intelligence in Emerging Markets [CS444], in Southeast Asia in January 2025. 

The following month, she was accepted into the fellowship program for Bentley’s Social Innovation Incubator — an accelerator program for small business owners and entrepreneurs in the Greater Waltham community who seek to leverage the power of business to benefit society. She’s also trying to “soak up knowledge” by attending coaching sessions in the Entrepreneurship Hub.  

“There’s so much that goes on at Bentley, and I just try to be a sponge,” says Altanbour, who is considering launching a wellness-related business in the future. “I’ve been able to do so many different passion projects. I’m maximizing every opportunity for education and change, even when the conversations are challenging.” 

Her work has not gone unnoticed. The Bentley Global Alumni Board honored Altanbour with the 2025 Emerging Alumni Leader Award. It is presented each year to a graduating senior for their cumulative action at Bentley focusing on impact, inclusivity and honesty. She also won the First Falcon Trailblazer Award celebrating a first-generation senior who has broken barriers, led innovative initiatives or advocated for meaningful change.

“I know that by wearing the hijab people are going to notice me for looking different,” Altanbour says. “But having a constant reminder of my faith and being my authentic self allows me to have more impact and find deeper meaning. And that has been very rewarding.”