The People Who Helped Shape My Journey

I was fortunate to grow up in a family where my parents encouraged me to believe in myself, make my own decisions, and have the confidence to follow my dreams.

They gave me a foundation that has stayed with me throughout my personal and professional life.

I was also fortunate to have two very special mentors who played important roles in different chapters of my journey.

Ms. Pari Javaheri was my mentor during an important early stage of my life, and Mr. Steve Moghadam guided and supported me through the next chapter.

Their encouragement, guidance, and belief in me have meant more than I can express. I carry their lessons with me in the decisions I make, the challenges I face, and the projects I take on.

I truly believe that having the right mentors can make an extraordinary difference in someone’s life.

Sometimes, having someone believe in you, recognize your abilities, and encourage you to take the next step can give you the confidence to go much further than you ever imagined.

I will always be grateful to my parents and these two remarkable people.

And perhaps that is one of the reasons I care so deeply about creating opportunities for others today.

Building Businesses, Building Relationships

Throughout my professional life, I’ve worked across different industries, built businesses, managed teams, and developed projects with people from many backgrounds.

Business has taught me about responsibility, discipline, perseverance, and the importance of making thoughtful decisions.

But one of the greatest lessons I’ve learned is that no meaningful achievement happens entirely on our own.

Behind every successful project are people who contribute their knowledge, creativity, experience, time, and trust.

I’ve always taken my responsibilities seriously. Honesty, transparency, accountability, and keeping commitments are important to me, whether I’m working on a business project, a cultural initiative, or a community program.

At the same time, I believe working together should bring people closer.

The friendships we build, the people we meet, and the experiences we share are often just as meaningful as the results we achieve.

Giving Back Has Always Been Part of My Life

For more than 25 years, alongside my professional life, I’ve been involved in fundraising initiatives supporting educational opportunities for orphaned children and children growing up in difficult family circumstances.

As a businesswoman and public speaker, I wanted to use whatever experience, connections, and abilities I had to contribute.

But over time, I began feeling that I wanted to do more.

I dreamed of travelling to Africa and other parts of the world, meeting communities, learning about their challenges, and volunteering wherever I could be useful.

I even began discussing these possibilities with people I worked with.

I wasn’t looking to establish another organization or take on another title. I already had a busy professional life, with businesses, projects, and responsibilities.

I simply wanted to be part of a team doing something meaningful.

I believed that whatever we achieve in life, whether through business, education, or personal experience, we should find ways to give some of it back to our communities.

Then COVID Happened

Like so many people, my life suddenly changed.

Business trips were cancelled. Activities slowed down. Plans were put on hold, and the world entered a period of uncertainty.

During that time, I was invited to participate in a conversation about supporting vulnerable children through a platform called Persian Awards®.

I didn’t know it then, but that conversation would open an entirely new chapter in my life.

It made me think more deeply about something that had been on my mind for years.

What if, instead of helping one child at a time, we could also help strengthen the families and communities around them?

Of course, helping a child directly is important, and it always will be.

But I began thinking about the bigger picture.

What happens when families have access to education, mental health support, and better opportunities? What happens when mothers have the resources, confidence, and independence to build stronger futures for themselves and their children?

I realized that if we wanted to create lasting change, we also needed to understand and address the deeper challenges affecting families and communities.

That question gradually changed the direction of my volunteer work.

A New Chapter with Persian Awards

What began during the COVID-19 pandemic as a volunteer journey gradually became a much deeper commitment to cultural, educational, and community initiatives.

Through Persian Awards®, I found a platform where I could bring together my years of business experience, international connections, and passion for community development.

Today, I serve as Vice President and Global Director of Business Development & International Relations at Persian Awards®.

In these roles, I work to build relationships with professionals, organizations, cultural institutions, and communities across different countries, creating opportunities for collaboration, education, cultural exchange, and meaningful social initiatives.

But beyond the titles, what matters most to me is the people and the work we do together.

Two areas have become especially close to my heart: women’s empowerment and mental health.

I’ve always believed that women and men should have equal opportunities, equal respect, and the ability to work alongside one another.

Through my experiences, I’ve met talented women with remarkable knowledge and abilities who haven’t always had the opportunities, connections, or confidence to share what they know.

I’ve also met people who genuinely wanted to contribute to their communities but weren’t always sure where to begin.

I wanted to bring them together.

And that is one of the reasons my work with Persian Awards has become such an important part of my life.

It has given me the opportunity to combine my professional experience with something I have always believed in: creating opportunities for others and building stronger communities through collaboration.

Where This Journey Has Taken Me

Today, as Chair of Global Women’s Week, I see this work as a continuation of everything I have learned throughout my life.

From my parents, I learned confidence and the importance of believing in myself.

From my mentors, Pari Javaheri and Steve Moghadam, I learned the value of guidance, encouragement, and having people who believe in your potential.

From business, I learned responsibility, teamwork, and the importance of building trust.

And from years of community involvement, I learned that even a small contribution can become something much greater when people work together.

For me, Global Women’s Week is more than an international event.

It is an opportunity to connect people from different cultures, professions, communities, and countries. A place where knowledge can be shared, experiences can be heard, and new relationships and opportunities can begin.

I don’t believe we need to create everything ourselves or have all the answers.

I believe in learning from those who came before us, supporting those who are working alongside us, and opening doors for those who come after us.

I also believe in doing things properly, working transparently, respecting people’s time and contributions, and taking responsibility for the commitments we make.

But above all, I believe in people.

I believe that when someone receives the right encouragement, guidance, and opportunity, they can accomplish things they may never have imagined possible.

I know this because I’ve experienced it myself.

And when I look back at my journey, from my family and mentors to business, cultural activities, and community initiatives, I realize that one thing has never changed.

I never wanted success to be mine alone.

I wanted to share what I learned, create opportunities for others, and be part of something meaningful together.

Because in the end, it’s always been about people.