Director of External DEI

• Oct 2023 - Present

Founder

• Jun 2020 - Present

Founder and Principal of Critical Equity Consulting, LLC, a boutique Virginia-based consultancy that uses a systems-oriented approach to probe deeply and critically into daily operations in order to bring about revolutionary progress to your organization. Our focus is on taking a deep look at foundation, values, and structure, and helping you rebuild into an institution that focuses on equitable outcomes for your workforce and the clients you serve. With the right framework and training… Show more Founder and Principal of Critical Equity Consulting, LLC, a boutique Virginia-based consultancy that uses a systems-oriented approach to probe deeply and critically into daily operations in order to bring about revolutionary progress to your organization. Our focus is on taking a deep look at foundation, values, and structure, and helping you rebuild into an institution that focuses on equitable outcomes for your workforce and the clients you serve. With the right framework and training, creating dynamic and inclusive working environments can blossom organically, allowing you to catalyze a more healthy and psychologically safe workplace. Once this solidarity is achieved in your workforce, a mission-driven organization that centers employee well-being naturally translates to an institution that delivers the best outcomes for the people you serve. At Critical Equity Consulting, we believe that developing a reputation for being an equitable and inclusive organization is the best tool for your diversity recruitment efforts. Show less Founder and Principal of Critical Equity Consulting, LLC, a boutique Virginia-based consultancy that uses a systems-oriented approach to probe deeply and critically into daily operations in order to bring about revolutionary progress to your organization. Our focus is on taking a deep look at foundation, values, and structure, and helping you rebuild into an institution that focuses on equitable outcomes for your workforce and the clients you serve. With the right framework and training… Show more Founder and Principal of Critical Equity Consulting, LLC, a boutique Virginia-based consultancy that uses a systems-oriented approach to probe deeply and critically into daily operations in order to bring about revolutionary progress to your organization. Our focus is on taking a deep look at foundation, values, and structure, and helping you rebuild into an institution that focuses on equitable outcomes for your workforce and the clients you serve. With the right framework and training, creating dynamic and inclusive working environments can blossom organically, allowing you to catalyze a more healthy and psychologically safe workplace. Once this solidarity is achieved in your workforce, a mission-driven organization that centers employee well-being naturally translates to an institution that delivers the best outcomes for the people you serve. At Critical Equity Consulting, we believe that developing a reputation for being an equitable and inclusive organization is the best tool for your diversity recruitment efforts. Show less

Global DEIB Strategist and Trainer

• Jun 2022 - Nov 2022

PowerToFly's mission is to fast-track economic equality by upskilling and connecting underrepresented talent to roles in highly visible sectors. We achieve our mission daily through connecting diverse talent to free live virtual events with decision makers from companies, whether they're looking to change their career or they’re happy in their current role. We also feature upskilling content and host summits with industry leaders creating diverse, inclusive and equitable… Show more PowerToFly's mission is to fast-track economic equality by upskilling and connecting underrepresented talent to roles in highly visible sectors. We achieve our mission daily through connecting diverse talent to free live virtual events with decision makers from companies, whether they're looking to change their career or they’re happy in their current role. We also feature upskilling content and host summits with industry leaders creating diverse, inclusive and equitable workplaces. Our DEIB consulting & training team has built and implemented long-term strategic DEIB action plans for over 34,000 employees at global companies ranging from teams of 12 to 25,000. In addition, through training companies on topics like Allyship, Inclusive Hiring, Inclusive Leadership, Managing Microaggressions and more, we consistently see impact through our methodology of awareness, action and accountability. We are women-led, intersectional and focus on empowering underrepresented talent across all races, ages, ethnicities, sexual orientations, abilities, veteran statuses and gender identities. We welcome allies. Show less PowerToFly's mission is to fast-track economic equality by upskilling and connecting underrepresented talent to roles in highly visible sectors. We achieve our mission daily through connecting diverse talent to free live virtual events with decision makers from companies, whether they're looking to change their career or they’re happy in their current role. We also feature upskilling content and host summits with industry leaders creating diverse, inclusive and equitable… Show more PowerToFly's mission is to fast-track economic equality by upskilling and connecting underrepresented talent to roles in highly visible sectors. We achieve our mission daily through connecting diverse talent to free live virtual events with decision makers from companies, whether they're looking to change their career or they’re happy in their current role. We also feature upskilling content and host summits with industry leaders creating diverse, inclusive and equitable workplaces. Our DEIB consulting & training team has built and implemented long-term strategic DEIB action plans for over 34,000 employees at global companies ranging from teams of 12 to 25,000. In addition, through training companies on topics like Allyship, Inclusive Hiring, Inclusive Leadership, Managing Microaggressions and more, we consistently see impact through our methodology of awareness, action and accountability. We are women-led, intersectional and focus on empowering underrepresented talent across all races, ages, ethnicities, sexual orientations, abilities, veteran statuses and gender identities. We welcome allies. Show less

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Consultant

• Sep 2020 - Jan 2022

Diversity and Inclusion Specialist

• Jan 2019 - Apr 2020

▪ Create and oversee Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) grand vision and strategy for Arlington County Government, as well as implement various strategies for developing an inclusive work environment ▪ Develop and implement diversity-related trainings county-wide (D&I 101, Inclusive Leadership, Respectful Workplaces) ▪ Oversee and manage the County’s Employee Resource Groups to advance D&I goals ▪ Collaborate with stakeholders (recruitment, Human Rights Office, EEO committee) to advance D&I… Show more ▪ Create and oversee Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) grand vision and strategy for Arlington County Government, as well as implement various strategies for developing an inclusive work environment ▪ Develop and implement diversity-related trainings county-wide (D&I 101, Inclusive Leadership, Respectful Workplaces) ▪ Oversee and manage the County’s Employee Resource Groups to advance D&I goals ▪ Collaborate with stakeholders (recruitment, Human Rights Office, EEO committee) to advance D&I goals, including Affirmative Action Plan and diversity recruitment strategies ▪ Recipient of 2019 Arlington County Manager Award for Excellence for development and facilitation of Arlington's Respectful Workplaces training for staff ▪ Project Manager for the County's 2020 Barrier Analysis ▪ HR representative of Arlington County for the DMV in the Government Alliance on Racial Equity (GARE) 2019-2020 racial equity cohort Show less ▪ Create and oversee Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) grand vision and strategy for Arlington County Government, as well as implement various strategies for developing an inclusive work environment ▪ Develop and implement diversity-related trainings county-wide (D&I 101, Inclusive Leadership, Respectful Workplaces) ▪ Oversee and manage the County’s Employee Resource Groups to advance D&I goals ▪ Collaborate with stakeholders (recruitment, Human Rights Office, EEO committee) to advance D&I… Show more ▪ Create and oversee Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) grand vision and strategy for Arlington County Government, as well as implement various strategies for developing an inclusive work environment ▪ Develop and implement diversity-related trainings county-wide (D&I 101, Inclusive Leadership, Respectful Workplaces) ▪ Oversee and manage the County’s Employee Resource Groups to advance D&I goals ▪ Collaborate with stakeholders (recruitment, Human Rights Office, EEO committee) to advance D&I goals, including Affirmative Action Plan and diversity recruitment strategies ▪ Recipient of 2019 Arlington County Manager Award for Excellence for development and facilitation of Arlington's Respectful Workplaces training for staff ▪ Project Manager for the County's 2020 Barrier Analysis ▪ HR representative of Arlington County for the DMV in the Government Alliance on Racial Equity (GARE) 2019-2020 racial equity cohort Show less

Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator

• Jun 2018 - Dec 2018

* Report directly to Director of Diversity and Inclusion * Oversee relationships with firm affinity groups * Program coordinator for D&I events and seminars * In conjunction with HR office, gather information on firmwide diversity metrics and operationalize data for consumption * Provide diversity data for RFPs and client surveys as per requirements of the American Bar Association * Assist with diversity-related publications and diversity-related PR and oversee D&I social media… Show more * Report directly to Director of Diversity and Inclusion * Oversee relationships with firm affinity groups * Program coordinator for D&I events and seminars * In conjunction with HR office, gather information on firmwide diversity metrics and operationalize data for consumption * Provide diversity data for RFPs and client surveys as per requirements of the American Bar Association * Assist with diversity-related publications and diversity-related PR and oversee D&I social media accounts Show less * Report directly to Director of Diversity and Inclusion * Oversee relationships with firm affinity groups * Program coordinator for D&I events and seminars * In conjunction with HR office, gather information on firmwide diversity metrics and operationalize data for consumption * Provide diversity data for RFPs and client surveys as per requirements of the American Bar Association * Assist with diversity-related publications and diversity-related PR and oversee D&I social media… Show more * Report directly to Director of Diversity and Inclusion * Oversee relationships with firm affinity groups * Program coordinator for D&I events and seminars * In conjunction with HR office, gather information on firmwide diversity metrics and operationalize data for consumption * Provide diversity data for RFPs and client surveys as per requirements of the American Bar Association * Assist with diversity-related publications and diversity-related PR and oversee D&I social media accounts Show less

Talent and Diversity Outreach Specialist

• Feb 2018 - May 2018

* Lead HR/Payroll's diversity initiatives in conjunction with Compliance, Diversity, and Ethics Office: instrumental in aiding Mason to receive the Virginia Values Veterans (V3) certification; provide outreach to HR customers outlining Mason’s good faith efforts in diversity recruitment; and provide subject matter expert (SME)-level of service to all Mason customers on diversity recruitment * Update Talent Acquisition policies and procedures, website, training guides, etc. * Provide… Show more * Lead HR/Payroll's diversity initiatives in conjunction with Compliance, Diversity, and Ethics Office: instrumental in aiding Mason to receive the Virginia Values Veterans (V3) certification; provide outreach to HR customers outlining Mason’s good faith efforts in diversity recruitment; and provide subject matter expert (SME)-level of service to all Mason customers on diversity recruitment * Update Talent Acquisition policies and procedures, website, training guides, etc. * Provide SME-level expertise and training on Mason's PeopleAdmin applicant tracking system * Oversee job fairs and talent acquisition outreach

Talent Acquisition Project Manager

• Oct 2017 - Feb 2018

* Interim lead for the Talent Acquisition team and Project Manager for Mason Executive Search and Mason Talent Temps temporary position program * POC and contract manager for approved TA vendors (search firms, PeopleAdmin, Graystone Group Advertising, HERC, HigherEdJobs, etc.) * Resident SME on the PeopleAdmin ATS platform and lifecycle of the recruitment process * Team lead in creation of a Mason disability action plan—submitted to the Virginia DHRM—which outlined a strategy to… Show more * Interim lead for the Talent Acquisition team and Project Manager for Mason Executive Search and Mason Talent Temps temporary position program * POC and contract manager for approved TA vendors (search firms, PeopleAdmin, Graystone Group Advertising, HERC, HigherEdJobs, etc.) * Resident SME on the PeopleAdmin ATS platform and lifecycle of the recruitment process * Team lead in creation of a Mason disability action plan—submitted to the Virginia DHRM—which outlined a strategy to increase recruitment and retention for Individuals with Disabilities

Talent Acquisition Specialist

• Nov 2016 - Oct 2017

* Assist in the development and launch of, and help administer, the Mason Temps temporary employee program—Mason’s intra-agency temp agency for part-time positions lasting several weeks to months: develop a workflow for hiring temporary staff utilizing existing HR processes, which included candidate screening and interviews, onboarding, assigning parking, and staff support and training; source candidates from the applicant pool to match position requirements with talent and conduct subsequent… Show more * Assist in the development and launch of, and help administer, the Mason Temps temporary employee program—Mason’s intra-agency temp agency for part-time positions lasting several weeks to months: develop a workflow for hiring temporary staff utilizing existing HR processes, which included candidate screening and interviews, onboarding, assigning parking, and staff support and training; source candidates from the applicant pool to match position requirements with talent and conduct subsequent phone and/or in-person interviews; create communications and marketing materials, including departmental visits, to promote the Mason Talent Temps program as an alternative to costly vendors * Recruitment coordinator and resident specialist in the lifecycle of search process for various positions * Talented recruiter focused on all areas of higher education—specialization in diversity recruitment * Continually engage in process improvements, particularly with PeopleAdmin as ATS administrator * Edit, check for compliance, and post all positions on the Mason jobs website * Screen interview candidates for various positions in HR/Payroll Office * Represent Mason at job fairs and correspond with candidates

Talent Acquisition Assistant

• Nov 2015 - Nov 2016

* Assist the Talent Acquisition team in HR generalist duties associated with the hiring process, including candidate correspondence for available vacancies, auditing and filing recruitment notes, answering departmental compliance questions associated with recruitment and hiring, representing faculty and staff vacancies at job fairs, and ensuring that position information is up to date in our PeopleAdmin ATS * Manage the life cycle of job postings from copyediting and posting available… Show more * Assist the Talent Acquisition team in HR generalist duties associated with the hiring process, including candidate correspondence for available vacancies, auditing and filing recruitment notes, answering departmental compliance questions associated with recruitment and hiring, representing faculty and staff vacancies at job fairs, and ensuring that position information is up to date in our PeopleAdmin ATS * Manage the life cycle of job postings from copyediting and posting available vacancies on the Mason jobs portal to advertising positions on relevant job boards

Editor

• Jun 2015 - Nov 2015

Iran Critical Threats Analysis Intern

• Jan 2015 - Apr 2015

Executive Director

• Aug 2011 - Dec 2014

NAAI is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization focused on uniting Azerbaijani-Americans from Iran on various issues of importance to this substantial diaspora community. NAAI is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization focused on uniting Azerbaijani-Americans from Iran on various issues of importance to this substantial diaspora community.

Grants Coordinator and Program Officer

• Sep 2010 - Mar 2011

Director of U.S. Operations

• Aug 2009 - Aug 2010

After serving three months as a Peace Fellow through the Advocacy Project, I stayed on to do remotely work for ADAPP while in the U.S. * Created human rights documents for various NGOs, media outlets and the United Nations regarding human rights in Iran, including successfully submitting an entry to the UN Universal Periodic Review of Iran; * Represented Iranian Azerbaijanis at the UN Minority Rights Forum in Geneva in November 2009; * Coordinated volunteer work, edited… Show more After serving three months as a Peace Fellow through the Advocacy Project, I stayed on to do remotely work for ADAPP while in the U.S. * Created human rights documents for various NGOs, media outlets and the United Nations regarding human rights in Iran, including successfully submitting an entry to the UN Universal Periodic Review of Iran; * Represented Iranian Azerbaijanis at the UN Minority Rights Forum in Geneva in November 2009; * Coordinated volunteer work, edited newsletter and press releases, and represented Iranian Azerbaijanis in the media; * Liaised and consulted with U.S. Government officials on the issue of minority rights in Iran, including the U.S. State Department, as well as scholarly material such Separatist Movements by Brian Beary; and * Managed, edited, and authored English language news, monthly reports, and op-eds daily. Show less After serving three months as a Peace Fellow through the Advocacy Project, I stayed on to do remotely work for ADAPP while in the U.S. * Created human rights documents for various NGOs, media outlets and the United Nations regarding human rights in Iran, including successfully submitting an entry to the UN Universal Periodic Review of Iran; * Represented Iranian Azerbaijanis at the UN Minority Rights Forum in Geneva in November 2009; * Coordinated volunteer work, edited… Show more After serving three months as a Peace Fellow through the Advocacy Project, I stayed on to do remotely work for ADAPP while in the U.S. * Created human rights documents for various NGOs, media outlets and the United Nations regarding human rights in Iran, including successfully submitting an entry to the UN Universal Periodic Review of Iran; * Represented Iranian Azerbaijanis at the UN Minority Rights Forum in Geneva in November 2009; * Coordinated volunteer work, edited newsletter and press releases, and represented Iranian Azerbaijanis in the media; * Liaised and consulted with U.S. Government officials on the issue of minority rights in Iran, including the U.S. State Department, as well as scholarly material such Separatist Movements by Brian Beary; and * Managed, edited, and authored English language news, monthly reports, and op-eds daily. Show less

Independent Research Assistant

• Feb 2009 - May 2009

Research Assistant

• Feb 2007 - Jun 2008

Law Library Intern

• Nov 2006 - Mar 2007

Research Assistant

• Aug 2005 - Jun 2006

Program Intern

• Jun 2005 - Aug 2005