Octaves of Consciousness
It is no secret that I am keenly interested in innovation across a variety of fields. Innovation is the result of passion, determination, and a great deal of hard work. At its best, innovation – whether in the field of technology, economics, or social justice – leads to the betterment of lives. When I think […]
Culturally Inspiring and Socially Savvy: Iran Davar Ardalan
In my continued series on individuals who inspire me and are giving back to the community, I would like to feature author, social media genius, NPR Producer, mother of four and 2014 Ellis Island Medal of Honor recipient; someone I also get to call my friend, Iran Davar Ardalan. This extraordinary woman has grown-up with […]
A Global Paradise of Kindness Inspired By a Single Moment in a Hospice in India
This picture above says it all about Willy Oppenheim, who co-founded Omprakash while he was in college, after volunteering at a hospice center in northern India. I am honored to feature him in my ongoing series on inspiring people and the movements they ignite! In 2004, Willy met an elderly man suffering from paralysis. “The […]
From Africa to America With Love: Two Soul Sisters Stand Up For Children, Education & Better Lives for All
Today I am happy and honored to share a story about two women who reached across continents and two very different worlds to bring one vision to light. Kwamboka Okari shelters, feeds, clothes, educates, and advocates for 230 orphans in Kisii, Kenya. Peg Campbell heads up the U.S. team on the Board of Directors for […]
#StrongerThanFear- Empowering Girls’ Education Globally: Malala Yousafzai’s Mission
Malala Yousafzai captured the world’s attention and respect when she survived an assassination attempt by the Taliban in Pakistan while she was riding the bus to school on October 10, 2012. She amazingly survived and the international outcry that followed helped to bring further attention to her cause. Malala and her […]
Why Be Good, When You Can Be Great? LIG: Being Good & Great – Summer of Service 2014 Dinner with Dr. Sadural
The last two weeks have been incredibly busy, exhausting and inspiring! Thanks for following me half way around the world and back, where in NYC last night, our Summer of Service interns had the honor of meeting the LIG Global Foundation team at the warm and beautiful Gabriel’s restaurant near Lincoln Center. The room was beautiful, […]
Weaving Dreams and Creating Opportunities: Women in Van, Turkey Learn the Art of Creating Rugs, Crafting Pottery & Keeping Bees
This week I am posting from Istanbul, as part of a business trip to the UK and Europe, and am thrilled to introduce you to one of our “Summer of Service 2014” interns, Begum Kuralkan. This is the second year of Begum’s internship, having spent a good part of last summer in New York meeting […]
My Classmate Camelia; From Tehran to Manhattan, Our Magical Encounter
Earlier this month, on a business trip to NYC, I met Camelia Entekhabi-Fard for the first time, or so I thought. We had been introduced by a mutual friend, who met Camelia in Kabul, Afghanistan years ago, and stayed connected on Facebook, following each other’s unusual lives quietly without ever having met personally. Or so […]
We Are Family
Sometimes the most inspiring people in the world are sitting right in front of you – and part of your closest family. In this post, continuing this series on inspiring people blessing the planet, I am honored to profile Neda Moeini, co-founder & past president of Group of Gold Line, who helped build the business with […]
Dr. Phillip Olla: Using Mobile Phones to Care for the Under Served
The next visionary leader I would like to spotlight in my series on Companies, Cultures, and Leaders I Admire is Dr. Phillip Olla, CEO and co-founder of Mobile Diagnostic Services. Throughout his career, Olla has held roles in various sectors, including telecommunications, space, finance, and healthcare, but what truly stands out to me is his […]
NYPD Awesome: Rebuilding Homes on Breezy Point With a View of The Freedom Tower
Last Friday, I was honored to take part in one of hundreds of volunteer events that occurred around the world as part of my company’s annual “Global Day of Service.” Thousands of employees worked full “eight hour days” and more, helping organizations and people in their local communities. While the GENBAND team volunteers year round, […]
Leave Your Mark
I am full of gratitude today because I have had the honor to transition recently from one dream job to another. For those of you who know me for years, or for my entire life, you know how much leaving the communications industry to help build Farhang Foundation meant to me, personally, professionally and spiritually. […]
Made with Love
As our series profiling visionary leaders who are mashing up business and giving around the world continues, I am honored to feature Chid Liberty, and his Liberty & Justice sustainable .com / .org model. In his twenties, Chid, who is now 34, returned to his home country of Liberia in 2009 to cofound the country’s […]
Companies, Cultures & Leaders I Admire: Hassina Sherjan and The Delicate Balance in Afghanistan
While I have never met Hassina Sherjan, I feel I know her as a sister through a friend of mine who met her in Kabul, Afghanistan a few years ago. I am honored to share her story with you as the second in a series on people who don’t only wish for change, but are […]
Companies, Cultures & Leaders I Admire: A New Series On Being The Change
Updated 07/28/15 I’m grateful to so many of you who have shared your enthusiasm for my new blog, and woke up inspired today to start a new series of posts on people, teams and companies who inspire me. I’m starting with Fasha Mahjoor, one of the leaders I admire most, founder and CEO of Phenomenex. […]
Attend Anywhere At The Alfred: Treating & Supporting Individuals with Cystic Fibrosis – Virtually Amazing!
With WebRTC, developers at a company based in Melbourne, Australia have created a connected care application that uses browsers to bring together people with cystic fibrosis around the world with specialists determined to find a cure. Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a life-threatening, genetic disease that primarily affects the lungs and digestive system with approximately 70,000 […]
Living a Connected Life
My friends have been encouraging me to start a blog for many years, and a recent change in my career path has finally triggered this first post today. After spending more than a decade in the telecommunications industry starting in the late-90’s, which we called it at the turn of the century, I accepted a […]