We. Did. This.
A London Gathering of Power and Purpose
And we filled it with voices, with visions, with the unstoppable energy of women who lead.
Leadership isn’t just a title, it’s an energy. It’s how you show up for yourself, for your community, and for the culture that’s in your DNA. This summer in London, that energy lit up the city. On June 14, the stage was set, and we showed up in full force.
The IAW Foundation’s Women’s Leadership Conference transformed the Sheraton Grand Park Lane into a living constellation of ideas, courage, and connection. From the opening welcome to the final notes of the daf, the day carried the pulse of Iranian women who lead with vision, resilience, and grace.
Building on that energy, the conference convened Iranian women whose influence reaches into Britain’s most respected institutions and industries. In that room were leaders shaping the future of the NHS, recipients of the Freedom of the City of London, innovators at the forefront of AI, the launch of a new book at the London AI Summit, and entrepreneurs introducing Persian vegan cuisine to the heart of London.
Their creative impact has reached as far as the royal household, with floral designs commissioned for King Charles III, while their work in medicine, law, technology, and the arts continues to shape policy, culture, and opportunity. This gathering was a testament to the profound and lasting contributions Iranian women have made to Britain’s story.
Shirin Amani Azari, rooted in London, opened the room with warmth and strength, setting the tone for an unforgettable gathering. A highly accomplished psychotherapist, clinical supervisor, social media influencer, and award-nominated author with over two decades of trauma therapy experience, Shirin brought her deep compassion and expertise into the space.
She is also the author of the fictionalized memoir Once Upon a Time in Tehran, which raised recognition amongst the Zoroastrian community through events such as a book signing at the Zoroastrian House in London. Her book’s reach extended to signings at Harrods in London, guest appearances on Manoto TV, and further signings across the UK and in New York, USA. Her multilingual, cross-cultural perspective and dedication to mental health advocacy underscored why London is the perfect home for conversations of such depth and impact.
Our keynote speaker was Dr. Nehzat Farnoody, a moment that grounded the entire day. Her voice carried both gravitas and grace as she wove together identity, mental health, and community care, not as separate themes, but as one unified force. With a career spanning continents and generations, her insights reminded us that healing and belonging are deeply connected, especially for those living in diaspora. Her words were not just heard, they were felt.
Building on that emotional resonance, Mariam Khosravani, founder of the IAW Foundation, stepped forward. Her unwavering vision has built lasting bridges for Iranian women across cities and continents, one story, one connection, one conference at a time.
As the room took in her message, the energy shifted once more, this time toward celebration. When legendary actress Pouri Banayi was honored, the standing ovation was instant. Having appeared in more than 85 films between 1964 and 1979, her legacy is not only cinematic but deeply personal for so many of us.
The day was alive with the voices of Iranian women in the UK, across Europe, and in the US, women who, despite the challenges of diaspora, are fully rooted in and giving back to the countries they now call home. From film to sport, science to wellness, and business to the arts, they’ve overcome obstacles unique to women and immigrants, transforming them into platforms for impact.
Every story was a reminder that courage doesn’t just survive in new places, it flourishes, creating lasting change for the communities around them.
The Artificial Intelligence Revolution: Impacting Our Everyday Lives
In our AI session, we explored how artificial intelligence is transforming how we live, work, and connect, while highlighting the exciting potential it holds for cultural preservation. While AI is not yet reading Hafez to elders or curating Nowruz recipes from family archives, it could if we focus our efforts and collaborate intentionally. The conversation also came on the heels of my book launch, AI for Community, introduced earlier in the week at the London AI Summit.
The session was expertly moderated by Bita Heffernan, who brings over a decade of experience in recruitment across the UK’s financial, charity, and non-profit sectors. Shaadi Valadkhani, Senior Managing Consultant at IBM, brought her expertise from years in AI strategy and implementation.
Together, our discussion illustrated how AI can drive innovation, bring efficiencies, and preserve culture, but also emphasized the need for ethical safeguards, rigorous fact-checking, and awareness of AI hallucinations to ensure responsible and trustworthy use.
I had the honor of joining Shirin as co-MC, guiding the day’s program and sharing in the powerful momentum she sparked from the very first moment. For me, this role wasn’t just about keeping time or handing off to speakers, it was about showing up fully.
I brought to the stage the many chapters of my own journey: years at NPR and National Geographic, service in the U.S. federal government as Deputy Director of the White House Presidential Innovation Fellowship Program, my current work in the AI space, and the lessons learned while helping raise eight children. And I was honest with the room: I had just been laid off. But I framed that not as a setback, but as part of the reality of leadership, careers shift, life changes, and growth often comes in seasons of reinvention.
Iranian Women in the Film Industry
Another highlight of the program was the celebration of Iranian women filmmakers working in the US, UK and European film industries. Tara Aghdashloo shared how her multidisciplinary work, spanning film, art, and curation, draws on Iranian heritage while pushing creative boundaries in contemporary storytelling. Niki Karimi, one of Iran’s most acclaimed actresses and directors, reflected on her journey from pioneering cinema in Tehran to shaping narratives for global audiences.
Together, they discussed how they challenge stereotypes, blend tradition with modern perspectives, and create art that resonates across cultures. Their insights underscored how Iranian women in cinema are reframing identity, amplifying voices, and building bridges across cultures. Moderator: Dr. Katayoun Shahandeh
Between sessions, the energy shifted into a more intimate rhythm. Attendees wandered through an extraordinary exhibition space where Iranian heritage shone in every detail. Tables displayed exquisite handcrafted jewelry, each piece telling a story of artistry and tradition.
Nearby, richly embroidered garments and textiles drew admiring glances, their intricate designs a testament to generations of skill and creativity. These interludes between panels were just as powerful as the formal discussions, a celebration of the cultural richness that Iranian women bring to every field they touch. The exhibits were living expressions of identity, resilience, and pride.
The Influence of Immigrants in Host Countries
This panel celebrated how immigrants enrich their host countries through expertise, innovation, and cultural depth. Elham Fardad shared her path from senior leadership roles at GE, News Corp, and EY to founding Migrant Leaders, an award-winning charity advancing social mobility — earning her the Freedom of the City of London.
Dr. Tara Lindstedt brought insights from decades leading global investments and renewable energy ventures, showing how immigrants drive transformative projects worldwide. Farzaneh Majed, CEO of Transform Alliance and strategic partner to ROI Institute, reflected on her work guiding organizations to achieve measurable impact through collaboration and inclusion.
Together, their experiences showed how crossing borders — geographical, cultural, and professional — creates growth and opportunity for individuals and their host countries alike. Moderator: Shahrzad Atai
From Passion Into Profession: Turning What You Love Into What You Do
This session showcased four remarkable women whose careers prove that passion, courage, and creativity can redefine success. Shirin Gerami broke barriers as the first Iranian woman to compete in the ITU World Triathlon Grand Final, Ironman World Championship, and Middle East Ironman 70.3 Championships, using sport as a platform for inclusion and empowerment. Bibi Kasrai, the Harvard Cookin’ Girl, left a corporate career to open the first event-based culinary school in the U.S., blending cultural storytelling and healthy cooking into an entrepreneurial success.
Sayeh Rafiei, an award-winning floral artist and former chemical engineer, transformed her career to direct London’s celebrated S&G Flowers, creating designs for global icons from King Charles III to Emma Thompson. Mana Shamshiri, founder of @theiranianvegan, transitioned from law to launch London’s first Persian vegan pop-up, celebrating heritage, sustainability, and community through food.
Together, they showed that purpose isn’t found in straight lines but in bold detours, risk-taking, and deep alignment with personal values. Their journeys reminded us that meaningful work demands courage, perseverance, and a willingness to rewrite our definitions of success — while inspiring everyone to ask: What would it look like to do work that truly matters to you, and to the world?
Moderator: Bahar Abdi
360-Degree Women’s Health
This session offered a thoughtful, holistic view of women’s health — spanning physical, hormonal, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Dr. Sadaf Ghaem-Maghami, Professor of Gynaecological Oncology at Imperial College London and Chief of Service at Imperial NHS Trust, brought decades of expertise in advancing women’s health through groundbreaking research, clinical innovation, and leadership in national and international medical bodies. Her work in improving diagnosis and treatment for gynaecological conditions, combined with her role in shaping global health guidelines, underscored the importance of science and advocacy in empowering women at every stage of life.
Samira Kazemzadeh, a holistic practitioner, Five Element Acupuncture educator, and breath therapist, offered a deeply integrative perspective — blending acupuncture, breathwork, Spinal Energetics, and subconscious reprogramming to help women reconnect with their bodies and access emotional balance. Her trauma-informed approach, seasonal workshops, and passion for embodiment highlighted how healing is as much about inner alignment as it is about clinical care.
The takeaway was clear: caring for our health at every stage of life isn’t just important — it’s a powerful act of self-respect and empowerment. Moderator: Dr. Nazee Akbari.
And then came Diyaar Daf, their drums echoing a rhythm older than empire, older than exile. It wasn’t just music. It was memory. The day was a reminder of what we all know but don’t always say out loud: our success stories are beautiful, but they’re layered. We’ve all navigated storms, career pivots, moments of loss, moments of silence when the words were too big. But like the Persian cypress, we bend without breaking. That’s our power.
None of this would have been possible without the generosity and vision of our sponsors. Fred Studio, Horsham Dental Studio, PickThePlace, and Sayeh & Galton Flowers stood with us in bringing this conference to life, their support serving as a reminder that community flourishes when partners invest in its future.
We are also deeply grateful to our In-Kind Donors — Aptobility, Cake Azadeh, Essentials London, Persis Collection, Saaye Saffron, and Seddons GSC — whose contributions enriched the experience in countless ways.
Our Exhibitors — Atiizone, Cultural Signatures, Elara Gallery, Galaxy Golden Gallery, iGreen Planet Project, Park Lane Wellness, The Game Intelligence, Xivara Jewelry, and ZAN — transformed the space into a vibrant marketplace of artistry, innovation, and heritage.
All photos and videos from the event came courtesy of Fred Studio.
Their presence added another dimension to the conference, creating an atmosphere alive with beauty, creativity, and connection.
The IAW Foundation empowers and connects Iranian women through mentorship, networking, and inspiration. Since its start in 2012, IAWF has grown to over 15,000 members, hosting conferences in cities worldwide and creating a strong community that celebrates Iranian heritage, American opportunity, and women’s leadership.
My co-authored book “AI for Community,” now available from Taylor & Francis, explores how artificial intelligence can preserve cultural heritage, support human flourishing, and foster trustworthy, community-centered innovation.
Editorial note: I used AI to help shape and refine this blog, collaborating with a language model to enhance flow, clarity, and tone.
