New York Women's Leadership Conference | | |
Back by popular demand, our Women’s Leadership Conference is returning to New York! Join us for a day of inspiring speakers, engaging discussions, and a vibrant, empowering experience. Come celebrate sisterhood, build meaningful connections, and lift each other up.
The day will conclude with a reception and art showcase, offering a wonderful opportunity to continue conversations, connect with fellow attendees, and enjoy an afternoon of culture and community.
| | Upcoming Los Angeles Chapter Event | | Navigating Perimenopause & Menopause with Dr. Jennifer Berman | | |
Dr. Jennifer Berman is considered one of the nation’s leading experts in women’s sexual & menopausal health. She is recognized for her personalized approach to hormone replacement therapy. Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) is a safe & natural solution for many patients struggling with symptoms of perimenopause & menopause.
Join us to learn more about a unique & personalized approach designed to help woman restore hormonal balance, enhance their vitality, & promote overall well-being!
| | Honoring a Trailblazer in STEM | | |
IAW Foundation Trustee Neda Nobari
Launches the Maryam Mirzakhani Presidential Scholarships
at San Francisco State University
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IAW Foundation proudly celebrates Trustee Neda Nobari for establishing the Maryam Mirzakhani Presidential Scholarships at San Francisco State University (SFSU).
This landmark endowment expands access for first-generation and low-income STEM students across the Bay Area. Covering full tuition, housing, and books, the program also provides mentorship, leadership training, internships, and study abroad opportunities—offering not just financial aid but a holistic pathway to preparing ethical and visionary leaders.
Read SFSU Press Release
The scholarships honor Maryam Mirzakhani, the brilliant Iranian mathematician who became the first woman—and first Iranian—to receive the Fields Medal, mathematics’ highest honor. From her early studies in Tehran to her professorship at Stanford, Mirzakhani’s legacy continues to inspire limitless discovery.
“Maryam Mirzakhani’s brilliance and courage broke barriers embodying the spirit of perseverance and discovery. It is an honor to help expand access to education for students who will not only inherit the world but also transform it. Dr. Mirzakhani is an unparalleled role model, showing that excellence in fields like geometry is not restricted by gender.” said Neda Nobari, IAW Foundation Trustee and Founder of MOZAIK Philanthropy.
The first cohort of Mirzakhani Scholars began this fall. Applications for the next class open in November for Fall 2026.
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We are proud to celebrate Davar Adalan, Media Advisor to the IAW Foundation, who was recently named on the Voice AI 100, representing 100 leaders and pioneers who have significantly advanced the field of voice artificial intelligence over the past decade. She will be honored at Project Voice 2026: A Decade of Conversational AI, an invitation-only event taking place April 27 and 28 in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Reflecting on the path that led to this recognition, Davar shared the following:
"Since 2018 I’ve built storytellers through my startups, Sina (Dialogflow), Freedom Speaks (Alexa), and Laleh AI, a custom GPT inspired by my late mother’s archives, stories I continue to share in AI for Community.
At every step, I’ve believed that voice and automation can do more than serve, voice AI can disseminate knowledge about our histories, our planet, our oceans, our forests, and night skies.
That belief shaped my time at National Geographic, where we created Soundbank, a first-of-its-kind audio database of Earth’s sounds captured by Explorers and photographers worldwide: bats in Colombia, birds in India’s restored rainforests, even the expedition that found Shackleton’s lost ship Endurance.
We presented Soundbank at the 2022 Project Voice Summit, after collaborating with Dolby Atmos and Ott House Audio to craft immersive 3D episodes. This spatial audio work also informed a global company’s exploration of next-generation voice technologies. Though my chapter at Nat Geo has since ended, I remain proud of the groundbreaking work we accomplished and grateful to see it reflected in this honor.
Together we can push the boundaries of how voice and AI can preserve memory, share knowledge, and expand the ways stories are told."
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On Sunday, September 14, Let Her Sing returned to Los Angeles for its third consecutive year, marking its ninth global installment with an unforgettable evening at Zipper Concert Hall. The event once again honored women’s voices from across the globe, spotlighting those who have been silenced, censored, or threatened simply for expressing themselves through music.
This year’s lineup featured a remarkable group of artists, each bringing her own story, heritage, and vocal power to the stage: Evin Şah, Golrokh Aminian, Meghan Kabir, Monicki, Sheenub, Shokufeh, Xye and ASADI, and our special guest Sussan Deyhim. Their performances spanned cultures, languages, and musical styles, creating a rich and emotional experience that resonated deeply with the audience.
The evening was elevated by the acclaimed house band under the direction of Yahya Alkhansa, with powerful visual storytelling led by returning Art Director Navid Ghaem Maghami. Together, they created a musical and visual journey that celebrated not only artistic expression but also courage and community. The program was guided by Master of Ceremonies Sarah Chang Tadayon, whose presence brought warmth and poise to the evening.
The IAW Foundation congratulates Diaspora Arts Connection founder, Nazy Kaviani, for her continuous work supporting artists locally and globally, and for her unwavering commitment to amplifying underrepresented and suppressed voices through the power of creative expression.
Let Her Sing was more than a concert. It was a statement, a gathering, and a celebration of freedom through music.
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Orange County Rising Leaders Past Event | | |
On September 12, the OC Rising Leaders hosted another successful Game Night, bringing community members together for an evening filled with laughter, connection, and friendly competition. With a great turnout and a welcoming atmosphere, it was the perfect way to kick off the weekend.
If you missed this one, keep an eye out for our next Game Night announcement. We would love to have you join us!
| | Mentorship to Internship Program | | |
We invite you to make a difference by becoming a mentor in our Mentorship to Internship Program. This initiative connects experienced professionals with young Iranian Americans, fostering growth, guidance, and mutual learning. As a mentor, you’ll have the unique opportunity to share your expertise, help the next generation navigate their educational and career paths, and build meaningful connections within the community.
Join us in empowering the future!
| | Stay tuned for more exciting events & updates! | | | | |
