LEADERSHIP

The IACA is led by a passionate group of volunteers who believe strongly in our mission. These people include the Board of Directors, the Advisory Board, and individual volunteers. Every individual plays a key role in fostering a vibrant Iranian American community.


We seek to not only bring our current Iranian American community together, but also to promote the future prosperity of ones to come. In order to accomplish this, we have solicited and deeply appreciate support from the older Iranian and Iranian American generations. At the same time, we are fostering new leaders by recruiting the second generation to play key roles in the organization.

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Mahta Ahmadnia

Board of Directors Member & Chairwoman

Starting her journey as a volunteer in 2007, Mahta served as a Board Member for several years leading to current Chairwoman position. She has a great passion for community and helping others.

Through spending several years as one of the IACA Board Members, Mahta has been able to learn much more about being a leader, decision making, and spontaneous trouble shooting for what may come her way. The goals and mission of the IACA as an organization are in alignment with Mahta’s personal passions and goals. She aims for not only helping IACA advance and achieve the goals of the organization as a whole, but to also to encourage and help other organizations to come together, collaborate and become a united team.
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Rozita Ghaderi

Board of Directors Member

Rozita has been involved with the IACA since 2007. Aside from her two children, poetry is her passion. Rozita’s involvement with the poetry and music workshop allowed her to get involved with the IACA as a volunteer until she became a Board Member. She is passionate about her community and hopes to work on projects and events that engage Iranian-Americans — particularly the younger generation — in becoming more involved in their community in order to build a more productive and stronger society, leading the way to the future.
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Omid Bagheri Garakani

Board of Directors Member

Omid Bagheri Garakani was born in Tehran and has lived the majority of his life in the United States. He comes to IACA always seeking to be in the relationship with his Iranian community and ancestry while growing up in California, Oregon, and Washington. Omid first worked with IACA as part of the Persian Circle Student Association at the University of Washington where he received his degree in Medical Anthropology and Global Health. 


Omid received his Master's degree in Public Health from the University of Washington School of Public Health where he currently teaches on racism and public health. Omid is involved locally and nationally in public health and law & justice work with a focus on health policy and social justice. He is committed to community-building and supporting the overall health and well-being of all people yet particularly those who face discrimination and racial injustice. Omid hopes to support IACA's goals celebrating the diversity of the Iranian-American experience and building connections with other communities seeking to lift up humanity and culture.

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Sanaz Zhalehdoust Sani

Board of Directors Member

Sanaz Zhalehdoust Sani is a multi-talented professional who brings a unique blend of technical expertise, strategic vision, and love for her community to the Board. She is a director of business development by day, a math tutor by demand, and recognized as Persian Momma on social media, where she shares recipes, her contagious energy, and a glimpse into her life as a busy Persian momma.



Her first engagement with the IACA began over a decade ago when she trekked her toddlers to the Seattle Iranian Festival to engage with the Persian community. Since then, she and her children have gotten involved and have served as volunteers. You may recognize her as the emcee for the Seattle Iranian Festival for the past few years where she has brought her fun-loving and engaging personality to stage. We are thrilled to have such a multi-faceted addition to our team!

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Keyhan Rouhani

Board of Directors Member

Keyhan Rouhani is an expert planner/project manager; he has dedicated much of his time to the growth and betterment of American-Iranian community. Keyhan has successfully hosted numerous fundraisers for the University of Washington and for other Non-Profit Organizations in the Washington State. Keyhan has been a key figure in the Iranian community and has directly been connected to groups such as The Persian Poetry & Music Workshop of Seattle, organizing Nowruz Celebrations via Peyvand NPO; benefiting University of Washington, and leading the stage programming at the Annual Seattle Iranian Festivals produced by IACA.

 

Keyhan is an artist at heart and has a background in producing effective theatrical works. He got his start in the world of theater in Isfahan, Iran where he was born and raised. Later he owned and operated a theater production company where he worked side-by-side with renowned artists like Arhame Sadr, Manoochehre Nozari, and countless other talented artists in the field.

 

Keyhan’s entrepreneurial background is not limited to theatre, he has an innate ability to bring ideas into reality and has successfully launched several businesses across a range of industries. Keyhan founded a theme park, with a 2,000-person capacity called the Garden of Lights. He founded and operated a manufacturing company producing commercial bags made from petroleum products employing over 150 people. Keyhan also owned and oversaw three radiology labs which employed over 40 people.

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Jamshyd Fararooy

Accounting Advisor

Jamshyd Fararooy is an experienced accountant and business analyst who has directed large financial software implementation projects. He has also authored a Thesaurus of Persian Words and Phrases – a first of its kind in the Farsi language. Jamshyd has an extensive knowledge of business processes gained through managing audits of over 100 companies. Currently, Jamshyd serves as a member of the Advisory Committee for AOM and Accounting at Renton Technical College.
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Saeid Bolooki

Director of Operations

Saeid Bolooki has been part of the community supporters from day 1 of IACA. He is experienced in IT operations, program/project management, website development and online user experience.


Saeid believes "I am part of the community, and together, we can achieve great things. Cultural community organizations house a group of passionate members who share their utmost dedication as ambassadors of their culture. These ambassadors unite people and actively work to bridge gaps in understanding and cultural differences.”