Who We Are | Our Team
Our Board
Delfarib Fanaie
Founder & CEO
A compassionate humanitarian and an advocate of children all over the world…
A compassionate humanitarian and an advocate of children all over the world. Fulfilling her life-long vision to extend a helping hand to the neediest children in the most deprived countries of the world, Delfarib co-founded Moms Against Poverty in 2008. With over 35 years of experience in the real estate market, Delfarib currently works as an asset manager for a well-known real estate investor in the Bay Area.
Ladan Judge
Co-founder, COO
A compassionate humanitarian and an advocate of children all over the world…
Sam Alavi
Secretary, Director
Sam is currently the Director of Strategic Programs & Initiatives for University Development at UC Davis and has her Masters degree in higher education leadership and nonprofit management from Stanford University. Her work usually focuses on organizational development and diversity/equity strategic planning. She has been involved in MAP for a number of years and prior to MAP was on the board of a national organization working towards racial and gender justice for almost ten years. She is currently also on the board of Empower Yolo, and nonprofit organization supporting women and children impacted by domestic and sexual violence. In her free time, Sam is involved in political advocacy in order to impact social change at a local, state, and federal policy level.
Yasamin Shamshiri
Director, CFCO
Yasamin holds an MA in Linguistics. She joined MAP in 2011 and has been devoting her time fully to the advancement of MAP’s mission of breaking the cycle of childhood poverty across the globe. She acts as the Chief Financial & Compliance Officer of the organization. She is passionate about helping orphans and underprivileged children, regardless of geography, ethnicity, and race. She had earlier worked as the Marketing Manager of a European office of a leading international law firm.
Bobak Cyrus Bakhtiari
Treasurer, Director
Bobak is honored to be heading PR and Digital Media for MAP. He has been producing MAPs digital media and annual recap narratives since 2008 and is also a Philanthropy Partner. In addition, he is a regional theater actor and entrepreneur, with a past history of work in Mental Health and with court dependent kids. He’s been a Court Appointed Special Advocate since 2003, defending the interests of court dependent foster youth. Bakhtiari can also be seen on TV in a variety of network shows or possibly chasing someone in an Indie film. Bakhtiari owns an offbeat philanthropic car wash with a dinosaur exhibit near SFO: touchfreewash.com. Bakhtiari is also the founder of FuelForChange.org, a CSR, and VRWash.com, (developing immersive content for car wash tunnels). He fervently endorses spontaneous dancing, works to expand his movement vocabulary regularly, and seeks to cultivate and inspire the ever-proliferating treasures of generosity, community, and gratefulness everywhere.
Bobak Cyrus Bakhtiari
Treasurer, Director
Bakhtiari is honored to be heading PR and Digital Media for MAP. He has been producing MAPs digital media and annual recap narratives since 2008 and is also a Philanthropy Partner. In addition, he is a regional theater actor and entrepreneur, with a past history of work in Mental Health and with court dependent kids. He’s been a Court Appointed Special Advocate since 2003, defending the interests of court dependent foster youth. Bakhtiari can also be seen on TV in a variety of network shows or possibly chasing someone in an Indie film. Bakhtiari owns an offbeat philanthropic car wash with a dinosaur exhibit near SFO: touchfreewash.com. Bakhtiari is also the founder of FuelForChange.org, a CSR, and VRWash.com, (developing immersive content for car wash tunnels). He fervently endorses spontaneous dancing, works to expand his movement vocabulary regularly, and seeks to cultivate and inspire the ever-proliferating treasures of generosity, community, and gratefulness everywhere.
Sam Alavi
Secretary, Director
Sam is currently the Director of Strategic Programs & Initiatives for University Development at UC Davis and has her Masters degree in higher education leadership and nonprofit management from Stanford University. Her work usually focuses on organizational development and diversity/equity strategic planning. She has been involved in MAP for a number of years and prior to MAP was on the board of a national organization working towards racial and gender justice for almost ten years. She is currently also on the board of Empower Yolo, and nonprofit organization supporting women and children impacted by domestic and sexual violence. In her free time, Sam is involved in political advocacy in order to impact social change at a local, state, and federal policy level.
Our Advisory Board
Mina Almassi
Mina is an attorney with over 23 years of employment, corporate and business law experience including counseling and litigation in the U.S. and many European, Asian and Latin American countries.
During her career, she has represented and opposed numerous multi-national and Fortune 500 companies as well as foreign governmental entities including Nokia, Cubic Defense Systems, Westinghouse, AT&T, Facebook, eBay, Sun Microsystems, NetSuite, Bridgestone, Access, Mektec International, Liberty Mutual in California State and District Courts, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, the U.S. Supreme Court, and the International Chamber of Commerce in Switzerland obtaining multi-million dollar awards.
In employment law, she has extensive experience in litigating claims of wrongful discharge, defamation, invasion of privacy, misappropriation and breach of contract. She also counsels corporations on internal audits, investigations, risk management, pre-dispute conflicts, benefits and other employment related issues. In corporate and transactional law, she has negotiated many complex international commercial transactions including joint ventures, licensing, transfer of technology, service agreements, NDAs and other related business agreements.
She currently acts as Senior Corporate Counsel for a global software company, overseeing worldwide labor and employment compliance for global jurisdictions. Mina has served as a panelist and lecturer for many employment law training programs and seminars on a variety of legal topics.
Mina lives in Northern California with her husband and their three daughters where she is also actively involved in the community.
Roya Ansari
Roya has over 25 years of Sales, Sales Management and Business Development experience working for fortune 500 companies as well as start ups in Silicon Valley. In year 2000 she joined SiliconExpert Technologies, provider of Supply Chain Component Management solutions. A startup company with total of three people, she had the role of the Global Director of Sales and Business Development as well as building the infrastructure of the company. She was instrumental in building alliances, creating global VARs, and generating sales revenue from a global OEM customer base to sustain the company’s operations and played a key role to lead the company to a successful M&A in 2012, Arrow Electronics acquired SiliconExpert Technologies. Roya Ansari also Co-founded Mozaik Multimedia in 2006, a technology company and a pioneer in content interactivity across all digital platforms, ahead of its time in transforming the passive viewing of media to interactive viewing. She led the company to a successful M&A, the company was acquired by Rambus Technology. Roya has a BA from Macalester College and received her International Baccalaureate from Aiglon College in Switzerland.
Nina Bakhtiari
Nina holds a BS and is a part time registered dental hygienist. She is an entrepreneur and runs a successful business. She serves hundreds of the homeless, low income families and juvenile hall Thanksgiving meals on Thanksgiving Day in her business location. She is also a mentor for low income troubled teenagers in her community through her business internship program for local high schools. She is passionate to help poor families and kids and she has worked with MAP and sponsored MAP for many years.
Haleh Boroumand Darabnia
Haleh joined MAP in 2010. She is a compassionate humanitarian, a business woman and a community leader who has dedicated her life to charitable giving from a very young age. She has studied International Studies with Foreign Languages. Haleh believes that we are all part of a larger family called humanity. Her skills, as a business woman for over twenty years, have helped her organize numerous fundraising events for several nonprofit organizations, mostly in support of under privileged children around the world. She encourages NGO’s to work together where possible. Haleh strongly believes in the mission of Moms Against Poverty and has been working with us tirelessly for the past six years
Frank E. Clohan
Frank holds an economic degree from Stanford and an LLM in Tax Law from New York University.
He has practiced law in the bay area since 1967 and currently practices as a sole practitioner with primary focus on tax planning, estate planning and post death trust administration and commercial real estate. He currently assists MAP as a compliance advisor and in addition generates corporate documents as needed by the Board of Directors. He has recently worked with MAP to provide a charter school in the Puna area of the big island Hawaii where over ninety percent of the population falls into the poverty and at risk category with a modest grant to upgrade a classroom. The classroom for a group of autistic special needs students was in an old quanset hut originally used to store tractors and farm equipment – the classroom at the end of the building had no end wall and was totally open to the wind and rain, and did not have adequate lighting or any fans or air cooling equipment to make it an adequate learning environment.
Mehrdad Elie
Mr. Mehrdad Elie is the CEO and President of Elie Corp with a multi- million dollar commercial property portfolio through out the United States. He served as the CEO of Alliance BanCorp , one of the largest financial firms in Bay Area where he implemented a successful, creative approach to real estate lending and maintained steady growth and profitability.
Mr. Elie, retired at age 47 and continues to lead large portfolio of real estate investments and is dedicated to numerous philanthropic projects.
Prior to Alliance Bancorp Mr. Elie served as the chairman of California Mortgage Bankers Association .
He holds an MBA from The Golden Gate University and a BS in Aeronautical Engineering from San Jose State University.
Mariam Firouzi
Mariam is an inspirational leader with over 25 years of experience in biotechnology and high-tech industries.
She is currently the Associate Director of Field Analytics and Operations, Clinical Education and Reimbursement Support at Genentech. Mariam holds an MBA in International Finance and a B.Sc, from Concordia University in Montreal Canada.
Mariam is passionate about helping needy families and especially enjoys working for an organization specializing in helping children. She joined MAP in 2008. She currently resides in the SF Bay area.
Mojdeh Froozandeh
Mojdeh is a compassionate individual who has always helped children in need. As a successful business owner Mojdeh helps MAP expand its reach through community outreach, advocacy and fundraising events. Mojdeh has always helped in her community and has coordinated countless charitable events at her salon, helping cancer patients shed their daily stress getting pampered free of charge. She currently owns and operates a successful hair salon in the Bay Area.
Hani Gangi
Hani is an attorney with Kermani LLP and specializes in litigation and dispute resolution. Hani counsels a variety of clients, from individuals and startups to Fortune 500 companies. His practice focuses on commercial dispute resolution and consumer protection class actions.
Additionally, he is the current President of the Northern California Chapter of the Iranian American Bar Association and was formerly General Counsel to Persian Tech Entrepreneurs, a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to empowering underprivileged entrepreneurs.
He holds a B.A. in Business-Economics and Minors in Accounting and Political Science from UCLA and a J.D. from UC Hastings.
Shiva Kordestani
Shiva Ebrahimi Kordestani was raised in an educated family in Iran. Her mother was a school teacher and her father was a general in the pre-revolution Iranian army. Shiva received her chemical engineering degree in Tehran and then began employment with a pharmaceutical manufacturer while teaching chemistry for three years. In 1997, she married and moved to the U.S. where she started her new journey. She has raised two socially-responsible children and has taught them about their Iranian and Kurdish heritage. While raising her family, she has managed to help her husband with his construction company. As a board or committee member for the past ten years, she has been volunteering her time and resources as well as sponsoring several foundations and charities such as Moms Against Poverty, IAWF (Iranian American Women Foundation), Diaspora Art, NICA and Roya foundation. She is delighted and proud to have the opportunity to give back to her community.
Shokoufeh Hanjani
Shokoufeh Hanjani earned a master’s degree in computer information systems and worked for a large telecom company as a project manager for several years. An active participant in several charities, Shokoufeh engaged with MAP in 2012 when she relocated to Davis, CA. Today, she manages a network of over 160 volunteers, as well as her women’s apparel boutique in Downtown Davis. Shokoufeh and her family reside in Northern California.
Nooshin Hakimi
Nooshin has been dedicated to charitable giving for many years both in her personal and professional life. She co-founded Moms Against Poverty in 2008. She continues her passion for helping people in her professional life, by working in an organization which strives to provide affordable housing for those in need. Nooshin holds a BS from Cal Poly State University, she has worked for Affordable Housing Associates for the last ten years and currently resides in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Guadalupe Hinojosa
Guadalupe “Lupe” was born in Zacatecas, Mexico and has lived in the United States for over 25 years. He has worked in the construction business for about the same time. He is currently working for an investment company as The Building Engineer.
He has been a part of MAP since its inception managing the personnel during the San Francisco Fundraising Event and the Holiday Helping Hand Program. He is grateful for being part of the MAP team.
Bita Safari
Bita was born in Tehran -Iran and has studied Chemical Engineering. Currently she lives in Orange County and is the Chief Administrative Officer at Nationwide Legal . Her daughter has inspired her to serve impoverished children and she has been volunteering from MAP since 2008, managing MAP’s events in OC since 2015.
Marjan Javaherian
Marjan has volunteered for MAP since its inception and is moved and inspired by the passion, hard work and determination of everyone involved. She is grateful for the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of children in need all over the world. Marjan holds an MBA in Marketing and lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Aida Monfared
Aida Monfared is the Marketing/PR Manager at Brand Canyon, a marketing strategy company. Thanks to her earlier work with various broadcasters/producers, she has developed a great passion for marketing and photography. Aida’s life-long passion is giving back to her own community as well as the world at large. This compassion reflects itself in her involvement with charity organizations, whether serving kids in need or animals in need. In the past two years, she has been an active member of the Moms Against Poverty family. Currently, Aida works on her startup company out of Silicon Valley.
Dr. Niaz Kasravi
Dr. Niaz Kasravi is the Deputy Director of the Anti-Recidivism Coalition (ARC). Prior to joining ARC, she served as the Director for the Criminal Justice Program at the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)—the nation’s oldest civil rights organization. She has also served as the Lead Researcher and Associate for the Domestic Human Rights Program of Amnesty International USA (AIUSA), helping build this new program for the organization and focusing on racial profiling, prison conditions, juveniles in the criminal justice system, civil rights and the “war on terror”, as well as other domestic human rights issues. Additionally, has worked as Director of Community Relations for the Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian-Americans (PAAIA), Policy Associate for Stop Prison Rape (SPR), as well as researcher and advocate at a number of organizations working on human rights issues in the United States and Iran. Dr. Kasravi holds a Ph.D. in Criminology, Law and Society from the University of California, Irvine. In her academic career, she focused on sociology of law and law and inequality. A National Science Foundation (NSF) grant, allowed her to travel to Iran to work with Shirin Ebadi, the Nobel Peace Prize recipient of 2003, on human rights in Iran and the role of Iranian women in the reform movement.
Ise Lyfe
Ise Lyfe is Director of Lyfe Productives, as well as a famed Spoken Word Hip-Hop Theater Artist, author and educator from Oakland, CA now living in Los Angeles. As a nationally renowned artist, justice advocate, businessman, and social architect- this young man has over as decade of experience in performance and education that includes HBO Def Poetry Jam and residencies as a guest lecturer at over 50 universities a year. Invited by both student groups and department chairs, his engagements draw thousands of students, galvanizing both discourse and student action towards creating safe and thriving environments for personal and communal growth. At the helm of his product development firm- Lyfe Productives, he manages their work which creatively works with organizations and individuals to develop ideas, revamp products and services, build on existing projects and collectively cultivate new ideas in ways that raise awareness of social and health based virtue.
In 2012, Ise Lyfe’s hometown of Oakland, CA awarded him with one of its highest honors by dedicating his birthday, December 28th, as ‘Ise Lyfe Day’ in the City of Oakland.
Haleh Merat
Haleh is a general dentist and resides in San Francisco Bay Area. She promotes health and wellness among the needy by providing dental care to children of selected low-income families through the local dental society. Haleh joined MAP to have a bigger impact to help more children around the globe.
Kamron Motamedi
Kamron Motamedi is the president of American Printing, a Menlo Park-based printing company serving Sand Hill venture capitalists, numerous leading technology companies and 100+ Stanford University departments.
When he is not at American Printing, Kamron enjoys spending time with his family and playing Tennis. Kamron and his wife Cindy have four children and live in Fremont, California.
Neda Nobari
Ms. Neda Nobari has a Bachelor of Computer Science degree from San Francisco State University where she now serves on the University Foundation’s Board. Ms. Nobari was the Co-Founder and Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors at bebe stores inc. from 1984 until 2006. After transitioning away from the corporate sector, Ms. Nobari founded her private foundation and went on to attend Dartmouth College to receive her MA in Liberal Studies, focusing on the intersection of diaspora and cultural identity of Iranian-American women.
Azita Oghlidos-Emami
Azita has volunteered for MAP since its inception in 2008. She has always been passionate about helping children to have better lives. Being an active member of MAP has been offering her this opportunity to make a difference in children’s wellbeing across the globe.
Azita holds a doctorate degree in pharmacy and currently is working for CPMC-STL hospital in San Francisco.
Lily Sarafan
Lily Sarafan is President of Home Care Assistance, a venture-backed pioneer in the rapidly expanding home healthcare market. Lily oversees the company’s strategic plan, global operations and business development from their headquarters in Palo Alto. Under her leadership, Home Care Assistance has gone from startup to industry champion, expanding throughout North America and Australia with more than 5000 employees and 100 storefronts. She is also the founder of a concierge health startup with thousands of patient house calls delivered. Lily leverages her deep operational expertise as a board member and strategic advisor for enterprising companies, social ventures and nonprofits. She is a mentor for startup accelerators and a frequent speaker at events across diverse audiences including Women’s Leadership Forum and OPEN. The co-author of an award-winning book series, Lily has been featured in Forbes, Entrepreneur, USA Today and on the covers of President&CEO and Smart Business. Her accolades include the Silicon Valley 40 Under 40 and Inc. Magazine’s Hire Power Award. Lily also serves as a city commissioner in local government and is actively involved with public good initiatives in education, public policy, social entrepreneurship and the Iranian diaspora. Lily holds an M.S. in Management Science and Engineering, B.S. in Science Technology and Society and minor in Middle Eastern Studies from Stanford University, where she currently serves on the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education Cabinet. Lily has worked and traveled in more than sixty countries across six continents.
Maryam Refahi
Traveling and living around the globe from Iran to Europe and now the United States has given Maryam a global perspective on issues relating to children and families. She has worked with Amnesty International and other non-profit organizations, was trained and worked as a nutritionist and is currently a graphic designer whose work with non profit and community organizations has won numerous national awards. Maryam is one of the co-founders of Moms Against Poverty, and brings her expertise in the fields of public relations and advertising to MAP.
Anahita Safavi
Anahita has always been passionate about children’s well being. She was a court appointed advocate with CASA for a decade, advocating for children that had been neglected and abused here in US. Now her time is dedicated to MAP helping children here and around the globe. A trip to Iran with board members in 2014 to see all the great projects was so exciting.Her degree in marketing and as a restaurant owner has enabled her to feed hundreds of children and families.
Shahab Sadat-Tehrani
Shahab Sadat-Tehrani was born and raised in Tehran, Iran. He attended Razi School, a French elementary, middle and high school in Tehran. After high school, he pursued his education in Paris, France where he attended Ecole Nationale Superior des Beaux-Arts. He received a Master of Arts in Architecture in 1980. After spending time in Paris, Shahab moved to the United States in 1981 and was apart of several entrepreneurship opportunities involving various chain businesses including a small chain of French coffee shops and dry cleaning, a restaurant and real estate developments. His main belief and words of encouragement are to stay motivated and never give up. Sadat-Tehrani currently resides in the San Francisco Bay Area with his wife Nazila and has two children Tara (24) and Hannah (21).
Roya Soleimani Winner
Anahita has always been passionate about children’s well being. She was a court appointed advocate with CASA for a decade, advocating for children that had been neglected and abused here in US. Now her time is dedicated to MAP helping children here and around the globe. A trip to Iran with board members in 2014 to see all the great projects was so exciting.Her degree in marketing and as a restaurant owner has enabled her to feed hundreds of children and families.
Sima Talai
Sima Talai has lived in San Francisco for 40 years. With a background in design, she has managed a successful boutique, furniture showroom, and real estate business. All along, she knew taking care of under privileged kids is her passion. After raising two successful sons and volunteering for many years, 5 years ago she decided to dedicate her life to kids specifically to orphans in Iran.
Fatemeh Winans
Anahita has always been passionate about children’s well being. She was a court appointed advocate with CASA for a decade, advocating for children that had been neglected and abused here in US. Now her time is dedicated to MAP helping children here and around the globe. A trip to Iran with board members in 2014 to see all the great projects was so exciting.Her degree in marketing and as a restaurant owner has enabled her to feed hundreds of children and families.
Fatemeh Winans
Anahita has always been passionate about children’s well being. She was a court appointed advocate with CASA for a decade, advocating for children that had been neglected and abused here in US. Now her time is dedicated to MAP helping children here and around the globe. A trip to Iran with board members in 2014 to see all the great projects was so exciting.Her degree in marketing and as a restaurant owner has enabled her to feed hundreds of children and families.
Sima Talai
Sima Talai has lived in San Francisco for 40 years. With a background in design, she has managed a successful boutique, furniture showroom, and real estate business. All along, she knew taking care of under privileged kids is her passion. After raising two successful sons and volunteering for many years, 5 years ago she decided to dedicate her life to kids specifically to orphans in Iran.
Operation Volunteer Team
Our Event & Outreach Volunteer Team
Accounting & Legal Team
Management Team
Delfarib Fanai
Principal Founder, President, CEO
A compassionate humanitarian and advocate of children all over the world, fulfilling her life-long vision to extend a helping hand to the neediest children in the most deprived countries of the world. Delfarib Fanaie, CEO and Principal Founder of Moms Against Poverty in 2008, has over 35 years of experience in the real estate market, currently working as an asset manager for a well known real estate investor in the San Francisco Bay Area.
A compassionate humanitarian and advocate of children all over the world, fulfilling her life-long vision to extend a helping hand to the neediest children in the most deprived countries of the world. Delfarib Fanaie, CEO and Principal Founder of Moms Against Poverty in 2008, has over 35 years of experience in the real estate market, currently working as an asset manager for a well known real estate investor in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Ladan Judge
Co-founder, Vice President, COO
The dream of an equitable world led Ladan to breathe life into MAP, launching its mission and programs with a holistic approach towards breaking the cycle of generational poverty.
She is passionate about empowering underprivileged children with the tools they need to lead purposeful, successful lives beyond their circumstances.
Leading a life of service and philanthropy Ladan has served as the Vice President and COO of MAP since its inception. She holds a Doctorate in Vitalistic Healing and Homeopathic Medicine and a BS in Electrical Engineering.
The dream of an equitable world led Ladan to breathe life into MAP, launching its mission and programs with a holistic approach towards breaking the cycle of generational poverty.
She is passionate about empowering underprivileged children with the tools they need to lead purposeful, successful lives beyond their circumstances.
Leading a life of service and philanthropy Ladan has served as the Vice President and COO of MAP since its inception. She holds a Doctorate in Vitalistic Healing and Homeopathic Medicine and a BS in Electrical Engineering.
Sam Alavi
Development Manager
Sam is currently the Director of Strategic Programs & Initiatives for University Development at UC Davis and has her Master’s degree in higher education leadership and nonprofit management from Stanford University. Her work usually focuses on organizational development and diversity/equity strategic planning. She has been involved in MAP for a number of years and prior to MAP was on the board of a national organization working towards racial and gender justice for almost ten years. She is currently also on the board of Empower Yolo, and nonprofit organization supporting women and children impacted by domestic and sexual violence. In her free time, Sam is involved in political advocacy in order to impact social change at a local, state, and federal policy level.
Sam is currently the Director of Strategic Programs & Initiatives for University Development at UC Davis and has her Master’s degree in higher education leadership and nonprofit management from Stanford University. Her work usually focuses on organizational development and diversity/equity strategic planning. She has been involved in MAP for a number of years and prior to MAP was on the board of a national organization working towards racial and gender justice for almost ten years. She is currently also on the board of Empower Yolo, and nonprofit organization supporting women and children impacted by domestic and sexual violence. In her free time, Sam is involved in political advocacy in order to impact social change at a local, state, and federal policy level.
Bobak Cyrus Bakhtiari
PR & Creative Director
Bakhtiari is honored to be heading PR and Digital Media for MAP. He has been producing MAPs digital media and annual recap narratives since 2008 and is also a Philanthropy Partner. In addition, he is a regional theater actor and entrepreneur, with a past history of work in Mental Health and with court dependent kids. He’s been a Court Appointed Special Advocate since 2003, defending the interests of court dependent foster youth. Bakhtiari can also be seen on TV in a variety of network shows or possibly chasing someone in an Indie film. Bakhtiari owns an offbeat philanthropic car wash with a dinosaur exhibit near SFO: touchfreewash.com. Bakhtiari is also the founder of FuelForChange.org, a CSR, and VRWash.com, (developing immersive content for car wash tunnels). He fervently endorses spontaneous dancing, works to expand his movement vocabulary regularly, and seeks to cultivate and inspire the ever-proliferating treasures of generosity, community, and gratefulness everywhere.
Bakhtiari is honored to be heading PR and Digital Media for MAP. He has been producing MAPs digital media and annual recap narratives since 2008 and is also a Philanthropy Partner. In addition, he is a regional theater actor and entrepreneur, with a past history of work in Mental Health and with court dependent kids. He’s been a Court Appointed Special Advocate since 2003, defending the interests of court dependent foster youth. Bakhtiari can also be seen on TV in a variety of network shows or possibly chasing someone in an Indie film. Bakhtiari owns an offbeat philanthropic car wash with a dinosaur exhibit near SFO: touchfreewash.com. Bakhtiari is also the founder of FuelForChange.org, a CSR, and VRWash.com, (developing immersive content for car wash tunnels). He fervently endorses spontaneous dancing, works to expand his movement vocabulary regularly, and seeks to cultivate and inspire the ever-proliferating treasures of generosity, community, and gratefulness everywhere.
Marjan Javaherian
Sponsorship Manager
Marjan has volunteered for MAP since its inception and is moved and inspired by the passion, hard work of the determination with everyone involved. She is grateful for the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of children in need all over the world. Marjan holds an MBA in Marketing and lives in the San Francisco Bay Area
Marjan has volunteered for MAP since its inception and is moved and inspired by the passion, hard work of the determination with everyone involved. She is grateful for the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of children in need all over the world. Marjan holds an MBA in Marketing and lives in the San Francisco Bay Area
Larson Holt
Operation & Volunteer Manager
Larson Holt directs MAP’s growing program in Senegal and leads the volunteering program stateside. Larson came to MAP in 2020 from our partner organization Natangué-Sénégal, where he directed fundraising initiatives and special projects in the US since 2016. Larson has been managing volunteers to support Senegal ever since he first visited the country in 2013. Larson is a city planner and has worked with cities around the world to improve transportation systems, support sustainable urban development, and restructure government agencies. Larson holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Public Administration, both from Columbia University. He’s also a private pilot and can be frequently spotted flying a blue-and-white Piper Archer between the towers of the Golden Gate Bridge.
Larson Holt directs MAP’s growing program in Senegal and leads the volunteering program stateside. Larson came to MAP in 2020 from our partner organization Natangué-Sénégal, where he directed fundraising initiatives and special projects in the US since 2016. Larson has been managing volunteers to support Senegal ever since he first visited the country in 2013. Larson is a city planner and has worked with cities around the world to improve transportation systems, support sustainable urban development, and restructure government agencies. Larson holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Public Administration, both from Columbia University. He’s also a private pilot and can be frequently spotted flying a blue-and-white Piper Archer between the towers of the Golden Gate Bridge.
Aida Monfared
Social Media Manager
Aida Monfared is the Marketing/PR Manager at Brand Canyon, a marketing strategy company. Thanks to her earlier work with various broadcasters/producers, she has developed a great passion for marketing and photography. Aida’s life-long passion is giving back to her own community as well as the world at large. This compassion reflects itself in her involvement with charity organizations, whether serving kids in need or animals in need. In the past two years, she has been an active member of the Moms Against Poverty family. Currently, Aida works on her startup company out of Silicon Valley.
Aida Monfared is the Marketing/PR Manager at Brand Canyon, a marketing strategy company. Thanks to her earlier work with various broadcasters/producers, she has developed a great passion for marketing and photography. Aida’s life-long passion is giving back to her own community as well as the world at large. This compassion reflects itself in her involvement with charity organizations, whether serving kids in need or animals in need. In the past two years, she has been an active member of the Moms Against Poverty family. Currently, Aida works on her startup company out of Silicon Valley.
Human Vafaie
Graphic & Publication Manager
Humán was Born in Tehran but moved to Germany at a young age where he studied visual communication and interior architecture in Kassel and Hamburg. Humán has years of experience in architectural design with an expertise in creating a corporate identity for businesses in Europe and the Middle East, as well as corporate visualizations for startups.
Humán has been involved with MAP since early 2017 and has authored MAP’s rebranding. Humán is currently the CEO of Neovana Group which focuses on building residential and commercial projects.
Humán was Born in Tehran but moved to Germany at a young age where he studied visual communication and interior architecture in Kassel and Hamburg. Humán has years of experience in architectural design with an expertise in creating a corporate identity for businesses in Europe and the Middle East, as well as corporate visualizations for startups.
Humán has been involved with MAP since early 2017 and has authored MAP’s rebranding. Humán is currently the CEO of Neovana Group which focuses on building residential and commercial projects.
Ariana Sheikhai
SLAP Program Manager
Student Leaders Against Poverty (SLAP)
Ariana Sheikhai is a UC Berkeley student who is passionate about helping those in need. She is excited and honored to be leading the Student Ambassador Program. She looks forward to getting future generations involved in philanthropy work through MAP. Ariana first heard about MAP’s mission when she was in middle school, through her leadership community service project. She was so inspired by the work that MAP does, that for her birthday in 2018, she brought her friends and family to MAP’s annual gala. Since then, she has been given opportunities to work with MAP, which has allowed her to experience the amazing work that MAP does. She wants to provide the same opportunities to other students through the Student Ambassador Program.
Student Leaders Against Poverty (SLAP)
Ariana Sheikhai is a UC Berkeley student who is passionate about helping those in need. She is excited and honored to be leading the Student Ambassador Program. She looks forward to getting future generations involved in philanthropy work through MAP. Ariana first heard about MAP’s mission when she was in middle school, through her leadership community service project. She was so inspired by the work that MAP does, that for her birthday in 2018, she brought her friends and family to MAP’s annual gala. Since then, she has been given opportunities to work with MAP, which has allowed her to experience the amazing work that MAP does. She wants to provide the same opportunities to other students through the Student Ambassador Program.
Ariana Sheikhai
SLAP Program Manager
Student Leaders Against Poverty (SLAP)
Ariana Sheikhai is a UC Berkeley student who is passionate about helping those in need. She is excited and honored to be leading the Student Ambassador Program. She looks forward to getting future generations involved in philanthropy work through MAP. Ariana first heard about MAP’s mission when she was in middle school, through her leadership community service project. She was so inspired by the work that MAP does, that for her birthday in 2018, she brought her friends and family to MAP’s annual gala. Since then, she has been given opportunities to work with MAP, which has allowed her to experience the amazing work that MAP does. She wants to provide the same opportunities to other students through the Student Ambassador Program.
Student Leaders Against Poverty (SLAP)
Ariana Sheikhai is a UC Berkeley student who is passionate about helping those in need. She is excited and honored to be leading the Student Ambassador Program. She looks forward to getting future generations involved in philanthropy work through MAP. Ariana first heard about MAP’s mission when she was in middle school, through her leadership community service project. She was so inspired by the work that MAP does, that for her birthday in 2018, she brought her friends and family to MAP’s annual gala. Since then, she has been given opportunities to work with MAP, which has allowed her to experience the amazing work that MAP does. She wants to provide the same opportunities to other students through the Student Ambassador Program.
U.S. Team
Dee Domingo
U.S Program Manager
Denise “Dee” Domingo was born and raised in Kapolei, Hawaii. She has 18+ years of working as an Assistant. She is currently working as an Executive Assistant for a real estate investment company. She has always had the passion to help those in need and she is blessed to be able to be a part of MAP’s Nutrition and Hygiene program. Other than work, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, playing billiards, and going to church.
Dee Domingo
U.S Program Manager
Denise “Dee” Domingo was born and raised in Kapolei, Hawaii. She has 18+ years of working as an Assistant. She is currently working as an Executive Assistant for a real estate investment company. She has always had the passion to help those in need and she is blessed to be able to be a part of MAP’s Nutrition and Hygiene program. Other than work, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, playing billiards, and going to church.
Denise “Dee” Domingo was born and raised in Kapolei, Hawaii. She has 18+ years of working as an Assistant. She is currently working as an Executive Assistant for a real estate investment company. She has always had the passion to help those in need and she is blessed to be able to be a part of MAP’s Nutrition and Hygiene program. Other than work, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, playing billiards, and going to church.
Iran Team - Nikgaman Jamshid
Dr. Ashkan Taghipour
Iran Country Director
Dr. Ashkan Taghipour is the Managing Director and Chairman of the Board of Nikgaman Jamshid Charity. He has 20 years of experience in child-centered services and projects in the area of education, health and basic provision for underprivileged children and adolescents throughout Iran. He holds a PhD in Management, an MA in Ancient Cultures and Languages of Iran as well as Plant Protection Engineering.
Dr. Ashkan Taghipour is the Managing Director and Chairman of the Board of Nikgaman Jamshid Charity. He has 20 years of experience in child-centered services and projects in the area of education, health and basic provision for underprivileged children and adolescents throughout Iran. He holds a PhD in Management, an MA in Ancient Cultures and Languages of Iran as well as Plant Protection Engineering.
Fatemeh Toghanian
Iran Director of Finance
Fatemeh Toghanian is Director of Operations at Nikgaman Jamshid Charity. She manages the financials and the administration of projects in Iran. She has 15 years of experience in the nonprofit industry. She holds a BA in Accounting and an MA in Organizational and Industrial Psychology.
Fatemeh Toghanian is Director of Operations at Nikgaman Jamshid Charity. She manages the financials and the administration of projects in Iran. She has 15 years of experience in the nonprofit industry. She holds a BA in Accounting and an MA in Organizational and Industrial Psychology.
Samira Safavi
Iran Program Director
Samira Safavi manages the PR as well as the public participation and community engagement at Nikgaman Jamshid Charity. She also acts as the Deputy Director of the Charity. She has 15 years of experience in youth-related charity activities. She holds an MA in English Language.
Fatemeh Toghanian
Director of Operations
Samira Safavi
Iran Program Director
Samira Safavi manages the PR as well as the public participation and community engagement at Nikgaman Jamshid Charity. She also acts as the Deputy Director of the Charity. She has 15 years of experience in youth-related charity activities. She holds an MA in English Language.
Samira Safavi manages the PR as well as the public participation and community engagement at Nikgaman Jamshid Charity. She also acts as the Deputy Director of the Charity. She has 15 years of experience in youth-related charity activities. She holds an MA in English Language.
Cambodia Team
Samphors Un
Cambodia Country Director
Samphors is MAP Cambodia country director and an integral part of the organization since 2011. Born and raised in Prek Lvea – where the MAPC school and home-based care is located – she is well-versed in the specific strengths and needs of the community, which looks across the Mekong River at the capital, Phnom Penh. Samphors designed and teaches MAPC’s environment, health, and sex education programs, and provides counseling to students while acting as a mentor to junior teachers. In a patriarchal society beset by domestic violence, she is a well-known and respected voice on gender equality, and is active in Cambodia’s thriving arts and music communities, constantly seeking out opportunities for MAPC students to expand their knowledge and showcase their work.
Samphors is MAP Cambodia country director and an integral part of the organization since 2011. Born and raised in Prek Lvea – where the MAPC school and home-based care is located – she is well-versed in the specific strengths and needs of the community, which looks across the Mekong River at the capital, Phnom Penh. Samphors designed and teaches MAPC’s environment, health, and sex education programs, and provides counseling to students while acting as a mentor to junior teachers. In a patriarchal society beset by domestic violence, she is a well-known and respected voice on gender equality, and is active in Cambodia’s thriving arts and music communities, constantly seeking out opportunities for MAPC students to expand their knowledge and showcase their work.
Timon Seibel
Cambodia Program Director
Timon Seibel is a Swiss and Austrian national who grew up in Germany and lives in Cambodia since 2011 when he started working as the program director for Moms Against Poverty Cambodia (MAPC). His experience in conflict management and transformation helped the oldest and most aggressive teenagers of MAPC learn how to channel their frustration, trauma, and anger into music. This led to the formation of the Khmer band DOCH CHKAE which made international headlines when they played one of the biggest festivals in the world, Wacken Open Air Festival 2019 in Germany. Since then, music is one of his most promoted tools for conflict transformation as it comes along with lyric writing, video and photography, sound recording, social media, design, and marketing; all of which are vocational skills and has led to the creation of MAPC Media Academy. He holds a master’s degree in Philosophy and French and Spanish literature, writes poetry and prose, paints, and composes music.
Timon Seibel is a Swiss and Austrian national who grew up in Germany and lives in Cambodia since 2011 when he started working as the program director for Moms Against Poverty Cambodia (MAPC). His experience in conflict management and transformation helped the oldest and most aggressive teenagers of MAPC learn how to channel their frustration, trauma, and anger into music. This led to the formation of the Khmer band DOCH CHKAE which made international headlines when they played one of the biggest festivals in the world, Wacken Open Air Festival 2019 in Germany. Since then, music is one of his most promoted tools for conflict transformation as it comes along with lyric writing, video and photography, sound recording, social media, design, and marketing; all of which are vocational skills and has led to the creation of MAPC Media Academy. He holds a master’s degree in Philosophy and French and Spanish literature, writes poetry and prose, paints, and composes music.
Senegal Team
Omar Fall
Senegal Program Manager
Omar is an experienced project manager and has been facilitating development work in Senegal for over twenty years. Previously in the tourism business, Omar worked with MAP’s partner organization Natangué Senegal to facilitate the construction of schools, health clinics, and housing for the benefit of the community in Mbour. Omar is excited to bring his experience and commitment to the children and families of Senegal to MAP, where he manages our field office in Mbour.
Omar is an experienced project manager and has been facilitating development work in Senegal for over twenty years. Previously in the tourism business, Omar worked with MAP’s partner organization Natangué Senegal to facilitate the construction of schools, health clinics, and housing for the benefit of the community in Mbour. Omar is excited to bring his experience and commitment to the children and families of Senegal to MAP, where he manages our field office in Mbour.
Larson Holt
Senegal Program Director
Larson Holt directs MAP’s growing program in Senegal and leads the volunteering program stateside. Larson came to MAP in 2020 from our partner organization Natangué-Sénégal, where he directed fundraising initiatives and special projects in the US since 2016. Larson has been managing volunteers to support Senegal ever since he first visited the country in 2013. Larson is a city planner and has worked with cities around the world to improve transportation systems, support sustainable urban development, and restructure government agencies. Larson holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Public Administration, both from Columbia University. He’s also a private pilot and can be frequently spotted flying a blue-and-white Piper Archer between the towers of the Golden Gate Bridge.
Larson Holt directs MAP’s growing program in Senegal and leads the volunteering program stateside. Larson came to MAP in 2020 from our partner organization Natangué-Sénégal, where he directed fundraising initiatives and special projects in the US since 2016. Larson has been managing volunteers to support Senegal ever since he first visited the country in 2013. Larson is a city planner and has worked with cities around the world to improve transportation systems, support sustainable urban development, and restructure government agencies. Larson holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Public Administration, both from Columbia University. He’s also a private pilot and can be frequently spotted flying a blue-and-white Piper Archer between the towers of the Golden Gate Bridge.