Roda was born in Hargaisa, Somalia and moved to Norway with her family and seven siblings. A graduate in Anthropology from the Norwegian University of Technology and Natural Sciences, Roda has also mastered five languages; Somali, Arabic, Norwegian, English and French.In 2008 Roda's debut novel, "Forberedelsen" (The Preparation), became a bestseller in Norway. In 2018 published her first bestselling children's book "Mae Among the Stars" with Harper Collins. "Mae Among the Stars", the book was inspired by the story of Mae Jemison, the first African American woman to travel into space. Roda is the Founder and CEO of Hightree publishing, she lives in LA with husband and two children.