Leyla Serway, Director, Public Relations
Ms. Leyla Serway is a graduate of James Madison University where she received her B.S. in Public Relations and Marketing. In the fall, Ms. Serway will begin her graduate studies at Milano The New School for Management and Urban Policy in New York, where she will pursue a Masters of Nonprofit Management with a focus in Social Entrepreneurship and Urban Community Development. Currently, Ms. Serway is an after-school and weekend tutor for grades K-12. Her involvement with IAAB began in the summer of 2008 when she served as a counselor at Camp Ayandeh. She continued her involvement as an Associate of Public Relations from 2008-2009.

Afsoon Talai, Director, Technology
Ms. Afsoon Talai is a student at the Rhode Island School of Design where she is pursuing a degree in Graphic Design. Ms. Talai was born and raised in Norman, Oklahoma. In addition to managing IAAB’s design projects, Ms. Talai has also designed graphics for a number of other organizations and businesses including CNN, Weleda, and First Act. Ms. Talai also serves as a designer for the Museum of Rhode Island School of Design. Ms. Talai initially became acquainted with IAAB through her sister, Afsaneh Talai, who introduced her to the organization. Ms. Talai enjoys painting, drawing, cooking, and reading in her spare time.

Associates

Nikta Akhavan, Associate, Student Summit
Ms. Nikta Akhavan is a student at the University of California, Davis where she is pursuing a degree in International Relations. Ms. Akhavan is a member of UCD's Iranian student cultural group, where she serves on the Board, and is newly involved with Model United Nations. Ms. Akhavan also works as a class note-taker as part of her various campus activities.

Roshan Alemi, Associate, Camp Ayandeh
Ms. Roshan Alemi is from Northern Virginia and is a student at Wellesley College. In the summer of 2007, she interned in Iran at the Center for Sustainable Growth and Environmental Development, where she helped defend the civil rights of nomadic tribes in Iran. Ms. Alemi has participated in Camp Ayandeh since its inception both as an attendee and Associate.

Taraneh Aminian, Associate, Student Summit
Ms. Taraneh Aminian currently resides in California and is a student at the University of California, Santa Barbara where she is pursuing a B.S in Biochemistry. She is a member of the UCSB Persian Student Group and an active member of the UCSB Polynesian Cultural Club. She is also a volunteer at the hospital and elementary school in Santa Barbara. In her hometown of Danville, Ms. Aminian was involved in the Persian community as a student of Nima Farsi Class where she helped organize various community performances and events. Ms. Aminian is fluent in Persian. Ms. Aminian’s involvement with IAAB began in 2007 as a participant of Camp Ayandeh, after which she joined IAAB’s staff.

Pantea Faed, Associate, Camp Ayandeh
Ms. Pantea Faed is a student at the University of Southern California where she is pursuing a degree in Political Science. Ms. Faed has been involved with IAAB since the summer of 2009 when she served as a counselor at Camp Ayandeh. Throughout her education, Ms. Faed has shown a deep passion for issues of diversity, equity, and justice. She currently serves on the Student Government Committee on Diversity at USC and is also on the select panel for the university-wide diversity requirement and curriculum committee under the Provost. She has served as a tutor for several years, serves on the executive board of a program that teaches dance classes to underprivileged students, and works for Student Judicial Affairs and Community Standards. Ms. Faed is fluent in Persian and remains politically informed.

Taara Khalilnaji, Associate, Public Relationsh
Ms. Taara Khalilnaji grew up in Northern California and currently resides in the Bay Area where she is a student at Santa Clara University. She is currently pursuing a degree in Communications Studies with minors in both the French Language and English Literature. Prior to college, Ms. Khalilnaji was actively involved in her school's Mock Trial program and Save Darfur project. At SCU, she is a proud member of the United Middle East Club, as well as an Assistant Fiction Editor for the University's renowned literary art magazine. Ms. Khalilnaji joins IAAB’s staff this year after participating in Camp Ayandeh for three years, both as an attendee and as staff.

Reza Rad, Associate, Camp Ayandeh
Mr. Reza Rad attends George Washington University where he is pursuing a degree in Biomedical Engineering. Mr. Rad was born in London, England and moved to Northern Virginia when he was nine years old. Mr. Rad has participated in Camp Ayandeh since its inception and is in his second year as an Associate.

Rosa Rad, Associate, Public Relations
Ms. Rosa Rad is a student at the George Washington University where she is pursuing a degree in Middle Eastern Studies and Spanish. She served as Amnesty International’s Student Area Coordinator for the metropolitan DC area and is involved with her school’s Iranian Cultural Society. Ms. Rad is fluent in Persian. Ms. Rad attended Camp Ayandeh since its inception in 2006 and is now a Public Relations Associate with a particular focus on Student Outreach. She enjoys Iranian music, particularly Googoosh, reading the news, dancing, and photography.

Tara Safaie, Associate, Student Summit
Ms. Tara Safaie is a student at the College of William and Mary and is pursuing a degree in International Relations. Her interest lies specifically in the realm of international criminal law, for which she wishes to go to law school after graduation. On her campus, Ms. Safaie has been involved with the Persian Student Organization and an umbrella language-instruction organization through the Persian language classes she teaches. She also pursues her strong interest in photography by leading the Photography Club while also serving as a student member of the College’s Honor Code and Student Conduct Code Appeals Board. Ms. Safaie is involved in the College’s Undergraduate Admissions Office by giving prospective student tours of the campus. Outside of college, Ms. Safaie shares her love of volleyball both as a volunteer coach and a USA Volleyball referee in the Williamsburg area. Ms. Safaie first became involved with IAAB in 2006 as a participant of Camp Ayandeh and later returned to Camp Ayandeh in the summer of 2009 as a counselor.

Yalda Yekta, Associate, Camp Ayandeh
Yalda Yekta is a student at the University of California, Santa Cruz where she is pursuing a degree in Psychology with a minor in Education. Ms. Yekta is actively involved in bringing together the Persian community in Santa Cruz with the Iranian Student Network, where she plans and hosts various events on the UCSC campus. In her spare time, she enjoys playing the piano and enrolling in jazz dance classes. Ms. Yekta became involved with IAAB after participating in Camp Ayandeh the past three years, and after serving as a member of the camp’s staff in 2009.