Shamima hails from Leeds, and has almost a decades of experience in marketing and communications within the arts and cultural sectors, working with organisations such as Fuel, Rambert School, Leeds Playhouse, Yorkshire Dance, Phoenix Dance Theatre, The Amplify Project, Rifco Theatre Company, and Red Ladder Theatre Company.

Before her career in the arts, she completed a BA in English Literature and Masters Degree in Postcolonial Literary and Cultural Studies from the University of Leeds. Shamima is a CLORE Leadership Emerging Leader (Cohort 2021), a Creative Access Alumni, and a member representative for the Arts Marketing Association. She is a trustee

She is also a freelance writer and has written articles, essays and programme materials for organisations such as Leeds Playhouse, Opera North, Wasifiri and Phoenix Dance Theatre.