Climbing mountains. Building resilience. Empowering change
My Story
I was born in Iran during the Iran–Iraq War, a time that taught me resilience and adaptability from an early age. I dreamed of becoming an aerospace engineer, but at the time, women were not allowed to study aerospace engineering in Iran. Refusing to let that limit my path, I pursued Polymer Engineering, drawn to the science of how materials and systems work.
At 21, I immigrated to the United States to continue my education, taking two years off to learn English, work, and save money before transferring to Cal Poly Pomona, where I earned my Bachelor’s in Chemical and Materials Engineering. During school, I worked as an engineering intern at Inland Empire Utilities Agency, assisting project managers with wastewater related RFPs, schedules, bid reviews, and food waste processing plant start up and commissioning — my first experience seeing how engineering can directly serve communities and help the environment.
Those early experiences — growing up during conflict, overcoming barriers, and starting over in a new country — shaped the leader I am today: strategic, hands-on, and passionate about helping organizations strengthen their systems, people, and purpose.
Purpose in Action: From Pipelines to Peaks
Throughout my career in the oil and natural gas industry, I’ve always been drawn to the deeper purpose behind engineering — how our work serves people, communities, and the environment around us. That curiosity about impact and governance led me to pursue a Master’s in Public Administration. Public Administration gave me a new lens — one that connects technical work to public value, safety, and long-term sustainability.
I began my career as a junior engineer in data management and pipeline integrity, where I developed a deep understanding of risk assessment, asset integrity, and safety frameworks. Over time, I helped design and lead integrity management programs, blending technical precision with strategic leadership. Through every role, one principle has guided me — safety comes first. Whether managing a complex integrity program or preparing for a high-altitude climb, safety, preparation, and adaptability are non-negotiable.
My passion for mountain climbing reflects the same mindset I bring to leadership and project and program management. In the mountains, success depends on preparation, teamwork, risk awareness, and the ability to pivot when conditions change — the same qualities that define strong leadership and effective change management. Training, monitoring weather and terrain, and making real-time decisions on the mountain mirror how I approach large-scale projects: evaluate, adapt, and stay focused on the goal while keeping the team safe.
In recent years, I’ve extended this purpose beyond work. I became involved with Climb Your Everest, a nonprofit founded by Dr. Sara Safari, dedicated to empowering girls and women through education. In 2024, I joined the volunteer team in Nepal, working with local communities to expand access to education for young women. In 2025, I returned to Nepal to climb Ama Dablam, one of the world’s most iconic and technically challenging peaks — a journey that deepened my commitment to using my skills and experiences to uplift others and raise funds for women in underprivileged communities. For me, leadership, service, and mountain climbing are all connected by a single purpose: to push boundaries with courage, stay grounded in purpose, and elevate others along the way.