There’s a bold spirit in everyone. And with a bold spirit comes timeless collections that capture the essense of each movement and generation. Bulova reminds us that time is what we make of it, and believes in embodying the legend within. Our Bulova BOLD Changemakers Series connects you with inspiring women who make their industries and communities stronger. Here, we’ll learn about their stories.Â
Meet Namam Palander
Profession:Â Educator and Author
Social Media Handle: @namiandmore (Nami and more)
Favourite Bulova Timepiece:Â Bulova Rubaiyat
Tell us a little about yourself:
My name is Namam, and I moved to Canada from Iraq in 2007. It was a transition that deeply shaped both my identity and worldview. I’ve long been passionate about literature and the social sciences, especially the intersection of politics and psychology.
My journey as an educator began in South Korea. From that first classroom, I knew I had found my calling. After completing my teaching contract, I pursued a Master of Arts in Education at the University of Toronto, where I specialized in higher education policy. My thesis explored Iraq’s restructured education system following the 2005 U.S. invasion. That research opened my eyes to how curricula are built and how purposeful learning cultivates critical thought and analytical reasoning.
Photo provided by Namam Palander
After my dissertation, I enrolled in a four-month program in Italy that focused on experiential learning and diverse teaching methodologies. That experience was life-changing. It reinforced my belief in a progressive, holistic approach to education, which I’ve since brought to classrooms in Sweden, Canada, and Iraq. For me, teaching is more than instruction. It’s about empowering voices, fostering resilience, and making space for reflection and growth.
Being a changemaker is all about knowing where you come from and having the courage to take a new step forward. What gives you courage to live out your story?
My father. His story is the cornerstone of my own. Under Saddam Hussein’s regime, he lost nine members of his family, a loss that cast a long shadow over our lives. As children, we moved from one place to another, searching for safety, carrying panic and hope in equal measure. Each day we survived gave us the strength to face the next. That constant dance with fear taught us persistence. It shaped our resilience.
My father’s quiet strength and his unwavering will to protect and rebuild gave me the courage to live out my story with purpose. Our lives are interwoven with the past, but it’s that past that drives us to keep moving forward.
Everyone’s story is comprised of many chapters. What was one of the most influential ones in your journey?
One of the most defining chapters unfolded in Sweden. I had just returned from maternity leave and was teaching advanced literature. I remember sitting in my classroom, overlooking a peaceful waterfront, reflecting on the fact that I now had two daughters. I was living in Europe, teaching in a private American school. At that moment, I asked myself:Â How did I get here?
I never imagined life would lead me to Sweden. I had spent over 20 years building a life in Canada. Yet here I was, still a refugee in spirit, searching for belonging. That emptiness began to creep in, but then a shift happened. I reminded myself that home is not just a place. It’s a mindset. We belong wherever we choose to belong. What binds us is not borders, but our shared humanity and perseverance.
Photo provided by Namam Palander
What would your 15-year-old self be most proud of that you have accomplished?
She’d be proud of The Mud House, the children’s book I wrote. She would see it not just as a story, but as a symbol of hope for those navigating the silent trauma of war. Through nonfiction, I wanted to give young readers, especially those living with uncertainty, a reminder that resilience is possible.
