These are the faces behind IWOO.
Board Member
President
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
They are why we are still standing
Programs and Services Coordinator
Bookkeeper
Arezou Amin is an up-and-coming film and television writer. She also recently completed a course in film and television production at UCLA, and founded her own production company, Rebel Key. Her aim is to bring to life stories about young women in transitional phases in their lives. Prior to this, her professional life included stints as an administrative professional, and as the copy editor for Persian Tribune magazine. She holds a Master of Arts in Translation from the University of Geneva and a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from the University of Toronto.
Dr. Fariba Bashiri joined the Iranian Women’s Organization of Ontario as a member of the Board of Directors in 2016, taking on the role of Director of the Human Resources and Mental Health Committees as of 2017. She has held various roles, including a Medical Doctor, university instructor, researcher, as well as social and human rights activist in Iran. Fariba graduated from Tabriz Medical School and worked as a physician for more than 20 years in Iran. She has dedicated her career to empowering women and girls to overcome barriers and to reach their health and full potential. Fariba came to Canada as a skilled worker immigrant in August 2011 and joined IWOO as a member and workshop facilitator in 2014. She also graduated from studies in Homeopathy and Weight Management from England and Canada. Fariba currently practices as a Mobile Examiner and Alternative Practitioner in Toronto. She has 3 children and 3 grandchildren.
Marjan Haghighatfar is a Real estate agent and her passion is working with homebuyers to find their ideal home or investment. She also worked at TD Bank as a financial advisor and customer service manager. Marjan has over a decade of experience in mortgages, refinancing, and educating clients on investments and financing options.
She holds a BSc in business management and is a fully licenced mutual funds advisor. She is fluent in Arabic, English and Farsi.
Behnaz is a registered social worker who has more than 10 years of experience working in client-centered positions and passion for social work. Behnaz has worked extensively with individuals of culturally diverse backgrounds who have experienced homelessness, domestic violence, separation issues, mental health issues, addiction, unemployment, disabilities and immigration issues.
Behnaz is passionate to work with the principles of anti-oppression and equity in responding to the service needs of individuals and work toward removing systemic barriers and creating opportunities for positive change. Behnaz also has passion for community development and she has been involved with communities by conducting workshops.
Mina immigrated to Canada in 2007 and continued her education at the University of Waterloo. She received her PhD in Management Sciences at 2014 and started teaching organizational behaviour and theory at the University of Waterloo. Experiencing difficulties of settlement in a new country made her interested in IWOO. First, she worked as a volunteer and later joined the board of director from 2015-2017. During this period, she successfully worked on different grant applications and programs. She currently works full time as a product manager in Fin-tech industry and teaches part time at the University of Waterloo.
As a businesswoman with an engineering background and over 15 years’ business experiences, Shohreh Sabaghpour stands at the forefront of the fastest moving technology industry trend: LED Lighting Solutions. She has established her own company, Lumesmart Inc. base on the vision Making Peace by Saving Nature from Effects of Global Warming in 2013.
Shohreh is a Proud Recipient of the Iranian Women Organization of Ontario (IWOO) of Science/ Technology/ Innovator Award in 2017. She is a board director and leader of women committee at Canada China Trade Innovation Alliance (CCTIA). She was selectively chosen as the Business Ambassador of Richmond Hill.
With a Bachelor and Masters in Accounting and Finance, Afsaneh has spent 35 years in the field of accounting and financial affairs, holding various positions from accountant to director of finance across various firms, including CEO of her own firm.
When she joined IWOO in 2016, she brought over 22 years of experience as CEO and shareholder of her own firm in Iran, three years of Canadian experience as a manager, as well as five years of financial management experience at a non-profit organization.
Roya Nazifi is a public and international affair professional. She currently works as the Parliamentary Procedures and Logistics Clerk of the Senate of Canada. Roya began her professional journey in international relations and diplomacy through working with Diplomatic Missions in Iran for 6 years and was involved with accomplishment of several humanitarian projects of the United Nations Mission in Iran. Prior to her current career, Roya worked in several research institutes including International Policy Studies, Public Governance International and the School of Human Rights and Conflict Studies of the University of Ottawa.
Roya’s curiosity and ambitions made her explore different educational areas including Translation Sciences, Education, and Political Science. She recently earned a post-graduate degree in Public and International Affairs from the University of Ottawa and focused her research on Iran’s regional policies.
Her motivation to join IWOO was to contribute to the valuable mission of “promoting solidarity and collaboration among women”.
Dory has been in the world of health, wellness and fitness since 2007, and teaching mindfulness practices since 2015. Her formal education includes post-secondary studies in Anthropology and Psychology (BAH) and her Master’s Degree in Leadership and Organizational Behavior (MBA). She is E-RYT certified from Yoga Alliance International, over 1000 hours of training in Functional movement, Yoga and Mindfulness Meditation. She owns her own fitness and wellness facility.
Dory inspires to help people develop better physical wellbeing that could translate into healthier mindset & Lifestyle providing support and guidance to create a safe space for growth, awareness and self-compassion. Dory’s values are aligned with IWOO’s goals to provide support and raise the social, economic and educational status of women in her community.
