Shirin Basiri
Founder & President
Shirin immigrated to Vancouver from Esfahan, Iran at just six years old. Young as she was, finding her place in a new culture with new people did not come easily. She spent decades caught between two seemingly disparate identities before she learned to reconcile both. She saw the Iranian community around her struggle with the same challenge, and on top of it, attempt to navigate Canada without the infrastructure and support that truly effective integration requires. Shirin watched helplessly as her loved ones burned their best years trying to decipher Canadian systems with no guidance, few resources, and countless preventable setbacks. She also observed Iranian women bearing the additional burden of deeply prejudiced systems that had followed them across borders, with no dedicated space to turn to that could support their particular set of needs.
After graduating with a degree in psychology from The University of British Columbia, Shirin founded ARIA Society to address the issues she had spent a lifetime witnessing. Alongside supporting the women in her community through ARIA, Shirin is pursuing family law so that she can protect and empower Iranian women in the courtroom as well. In her spare time, she paints, dances, and immerses herself in topics of psychology, philosophy, history, politics, and comedy.
Saman Shad
Vice President
Saman is presently completing his BSc. at The University of British Columbia, where he hopes to go on to study dentistry. Passionate about advocacy, leadership, and social impact, he hopes to create a supportive environment where newcomers feel empowered to succeed both personally and professionally. Through ARIA, Saman dreams of expanding resources for immigrant families, inspiring youth involvement, and helping build a stronger and more united Iranian-Canadian community.
Yashar Dadashzadeh
Board Secretary
Yashar is a graduate of UBC’s Sociology program and is currently a professional in the insolvency industry. Yashar spends most of his free time coaching youth soccer, developing his understanding of business operations and strategy, helping develop and grow the ARIA Society, and is dedicated to helping the people and communities that have given him the privilege to be where he is today.
Shania Farbehi
Board Treasurer
Shania holds a B.Sc. in Molecular Biology & Biochemistry from Simon Fraser University. With a background in both research and healthcare, she is passionate about supporting newcomers as they navigate life in Canada, with a particular focus on empowering women pursuing careers in STEM.
Arian Aghasardar
Director of Communications
Arian holds an LLB Honours Law Degree from the University of York, UK. He joined ARIA Society with the hope of creating a connected community for Iranians who are new to life in Vancouver. In his free time, he enjoys playing soccer and producing music, and in the future, he hopes to pursue a career in either IP or family law.
Niusha Memarzia
Director of Programs
Niusha is a graduate from the University of British Columbia with a background in psychology and legal studies. She joined ARIA Society with a passion for building a strong, supportive community for Iranian newcomers to Canada, helping them navigate the challenges of settling in and finding their place in a new country. In her free time, Niusha plays tennis, skis, swims, and explores the beautiful city of Vancouver. In the future, she hopes to pursue a career in law with a focus on advocacy and community impact.
Arshia Soleimany
Director of Impact & Analytics
Arshia is an electronics engineering undergraduate at Simon Fraser University with minors in economics and philosophy. He is currently guiding research and data initiatives for ARIA Society. Arshia is passionate about leveraging his academic background to support the organization’s mission and empower Vancouver’s Iranian diaspora. Outside of his community work, his interests include developing high-performance software, exploring analytic philosophy, and producing electronic music and guitar covers.
Max Kadoshnikov
Director of Technology
Max is an engineering student at Capilano University. He immigrated to Canada at age 5, and while not from Iran, he understands how hard it can be to immigrate somewhere new. He hopes to help simplify the process for newcomers in their journey to Canada. In his free time he likes working on cars and photography.
Kiana Ghodsi
Marketing Coordinator
Born in Esfahan, Iran, and raised in Canada, Kiana brings both personal experience and a strong sense of community to her work with ARIA Society. She holds a degree in Health Sciences and Public Health from Simon Fraser University, where she developed a passion for community wellness. As a member of the Canadian National Karate Team, Kiana values discipline, leadership, and perseverance. She is passionate about helping Iranian immigrants feel connected and supported as they build new lives in Canada.
Sania Solouki
Event Coordinator
Sania has completed her Kinesiology degree at the University of British Columbia and has a strong passion for helping others feel supported, informed, and confident. With experience in healthcare, coaching, and community-based roles, she has developed strong communication and interpersonal skills that allow her to connect with people from different backgrounds. As someone who values compassion, guidance, and community, Sania is dedicated to helping newcomers access meaningful resources as they establish themselves in Canada.
Anita Zamani
Event Coordinator
Anita is a Biological Sciences undergraduate at Simon Fraser University with a strong interest in science, healthcare, and helping others. Having moved to Canada in 2010, she joined this organization to help Iranian newcomers navigate the challenges and opportunities of building a life abroad. In her free time, Anita enjoys fitness, reading, and spending time with her family and friends.
Shayan Basiri
Event Coordinator
Shayan is currently pursuing his BASc. in Engineering at Simon Fraser University. He immigrated to Vancouver from Iran when he was very young, but remembers distinctly the struggles his family went through to adjust to Canadian life. Because of this, Shayan joined ARIA Society to support other Iranian immigrants in finding their homes in Canada.
Ebrahim Akhavizadegan
Research Coordinator
Ebrahim is a bioinformatics research assistant at the University of British Columbia. He moved from Iran to Vancouver at fifteen years old, and as an immigrant himself, understands how difficult it can be to adjust to a new environment. As a result, Ebrahim joined ARIA Society to help support newcomers through this transition.
Javad Vatanpour
Research Coordinator
Javad is an undergraduate student at the University of British Columbia studying Medical Laboratory Sciences and conducting research in cell and developmental biology. Outside of the lab, Javad is passionate about fishing, science communication, and supporting student communities. By joining ARIA Society, he hopes to help families navigate their lives in Canada, support newcomers as they build a new future, and give back to the community that has contributed to his growth and opportunities.
