WELL’s mission is to strengthen women’s leadership through accessible online education, personalized mentorship, and meaningful international networking.
We envision a democratic future in which women in Iran and in Afghanistan participate fully and equally in every part of society—leading in government, business, education, and civil life, and living with safety, dignity, and freedom.
Women’s E-Learning in Leadership (WELL) is a nonprofit organization committed to advancing women's leadership through online education, mentorship, and global networking. Founded in 2017 by Dr. Fariba Parsa, WELL is community-led and deeply grounded in the lived experiences of Iranian and Afghan women.
Our work centers on empowering Farsi-speaking women—many of whom face severe social, political, and legal barriers—to become leaders in their communities and catalysts for democratic change.
Dr. Fariba Parsa is an author, speaker, and researcher based in the USA. Born and raised in Iran, she began advocating for gender equality and democracy during her high school years. Dr. Parsa later lived in Denmark, where she earned a master’s degree in political science from the University of Copenhagen and a Ph.D. in social science, specializing in Iranian politics with a focus on political Islam, democracy, and human rights.
With over 15 years of experience working with Danish national and grassroots organizations, Dr. Parsa has been a prominent voice for human rights and democracy. She has held leadership roles as a board member for organizations such as the Danish National Council for Women, the Danish Council for European Policy, UNA Denmark, and the Danish National Council for Human Rights. Additionally, she has contributed insightful commentary on Iran’s politics to Danish newspapers and national television.
In 2010, Dr. Parsa moved to the United States as a visiting postdoctoral fellow at Harvard University’s Center for Middle Eastern Studies. She continued her research on Iranian women’s leadership challenges and opportunities at the University of Maryland. From 2014 onward, she served as a research assistant at George Mason University’s Center for Women and Gender Studies in Fairfax, Virginia.
Dr. Parsa is the founder of Women’s E-Learning in Leadership (WELL), a nonprofit organization that empowers Iranian and Afghan women through leadership education and training. From 2014 to 2020, she collaborated closely with young female students at George Mason University to advance WELL’s mission.
Dr. Parsa has also worked as a non-resident scholar with the Middle East Institute’s Iran Program in Washington, DC, contributing research articles and presenting on women’s rights and leadership in Iran. Her work continues to inspire and support efforts toward gender equality, democracy, and human rights in Iran and beyond. Her recent book: Fighting for Change in Iran: The Women, Life, Freedom Philosophy against Political Islam is now available on Amazon.
Dr. Rezvan Moghaddam is a distinguished academic, researcher, and activist with a multifaceted career spanning sociology, gender studies, mathematics, and human rights advocacy. She holds a Ph.D. in sociology, specializing in gender studies, along with master’s degrees in educational psychology and pure mathematical statistics. Her interdisciplinary academic background reflects her deep analytical skills and passion for addressing complex societal issues.
As an academic, Dr. Moghaddam has held research positions at renowned institutions, including Freie Universität Berlin, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, and Maynooth University in Ireland.
She is one of the founding members of the “One Million Signatures” campaign in Iran, which aimed to collect one million signatures in support of changing discriminatory laws against women in the country.
She is also a prominent activist and spokesperson for the Stop Honor Killings Campaign, focusing on Iran and other Middle Eastern countries. Her advocacy work sheds light on the critical issue of “honor killings” and the systemic misogyny that perpetuates such violence. She works tirelessly to amplify the voices of marginalized women and promote legislative and social reforms to combat gender-based violence.
As a sought-after speaker, Dr. Moghaddam has participated in influential forums such as the SAR (Scholars at Risk) Speaker Series, where she shares her expertise on human rights violations and strategies for societal change.
Her dedication to gender equality and human rights continues to inspire change and empower communities.
Parvin Malek is the founder of the Iranian Culture and Art Club of Fresno (a 501(c)(3) nonprofit established in 2009) and the founder and director of the Persian Language School (1990–present). She holds a B.A. in Literature and an M.A. in Theatre Arts from Montclair State University in New Jersey. She also earned Professional Multi-Subject Credentials with an emphasis on Cultural Language Acquisition and Development from California State University, Fresno. In addition, Parvin holds credentials in Montessori Education, Speech and Language Arts, and a K–12 Persian Language Teaching Credential.
She has written and produced more than thirty professional plays in Iran. From 1993 to 2016, she served as a teacher of Language Arts, Mathematics, and Drama with the Fresno Unified School District.
Currently, Parvin is one of the directors of the Campaign to Stop Honor Killings in Iran, a member of the Left Women’s Union of the Left Party of Iran, and a representative of the Collective Action of Iranian Women.
Leah Kral is a consultant, public speaker, and author who helps social entrepreneurs innovate and further social change. Her book, Innovation for Social Change: How Wildly Successful Nonprofits Inspire and Deliver Results (Wiley, 2022) is available at all major retailers. For decades, she has been providing tailored workshops and consulting to nonprofit leaders and boards across the country.
She holds a Master of Arts in Public Policy from Duquesne University, is a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer (Jamaica 2002-2004). She loves the outdoors and trails in northern Virginia, and enjoys being an active volunteer in her community. Learn more at https://leahkral.com/
Dr. Fariba Parsa is an author, speaker, and researcher based in the USA. Born and raised in Iran, she began advocating for gender equality and democracy during her high school years. Dr. Parsa later lived in Denmark, where she earned a master’s degree in political science from the University of Copenhagen and a Ph.D. in social science, specializing in Iranian politics with a focus on political Islam, democracy, and human rights.
With over 15 years of experience working with Danish national and grassroots organizations, Dr. Parsa has been a prominent voice for human rights and democracy. She has held leadership roles as a board member for organizations such as the Danish National Council for Women, the Danish Council for European Policy, UNA Denmark, and the Danish National Council for Human Rights. Additionally, she has contributed insightful commentary on Iran’s politics to Danish newspapers and national television.
In 2010, Dr. Parsa moved to the United States as a visiting postdoctoral fellow at Harvard University’s Center for Middle Eastern Studies. She continued her research on Iranian women’s leadership challenges and opportunities at the University of Maryland. From 2014 onward, she served as a research assistant at George Mason University’s Center for Women and Gender Studies in Fairfax, Virginia.
Dr. Parsa is the founder of Women’s E-Learning in Leadership (WELL), a nonprofit organization that empowers Iranian and Afghan women through leadership education and training. From 2014 to 2020, she collaborated closely with young female students at George Mason University to advance WELL’s mission.
Dr. Parsa has also worked as a non-resident scholar with the Middle East Institute’s Iran Program in Washington, DC, contributing research articles and presenting on women’s rights and leadership in Iran. Her work continues to inspire and support efforts toward gender equality, democracy, and human rights in Iran and beyond. Her recent book: Fighting for Change in Iran: The Women, Life, Freedom Philosophy against Political Islam is now available on Amazon.
DeeDee Fisher is the founder of Discover Response and the creator of the CPL Formula, a transformative communication framework built on Compassion, Process, and Learning. With over 25 years of experience as an entrepreneur, inventor, consultant, speaker, and lecturer, DeeDee has dedicated her career to helping individuals and organizations foster more meaningful, effective communication.
Her innovative CPL Toolkit challenges the common pitfalls of trying, knowing, and assuming—offering a clear path to deeper connection, increased understanding, and greater satisfaction in both professional and personal relationships. Through her immersive trainings and speaking engagements, DeeDee empowers individuals and teams to break down communication barriers and engage with clarity, empathy, and purpose.
Amy is a mission-driven problem-solver and experienced development and humanitarian professional, passionate about making an impact.
An analytical, strategic, and impact-focused implementer, Amy leverages diverse experience to understand challenges and build solutions.
Amy has 10+ years of experience in the United States, Uganda, Lebanon, Syria, and Singapore in project and program management, strategic planning, implementing tools and processes, and using data to drive decision-making in the development, healthcare, and education sectors.
With degrees in both political science and international relations, Amy has a strong academic foundation for understanding global dynamics and the methodological and operational challenges of working internationally.
Amy’s diverse experience includes two years in COVID response, where she successfully managed the implementation of an e-commerce platform, facilitating access to 6 million units of PPE in 6 months, and led a project collaborating with the Minnesota Department of Health to deliver 500,000+ masks to clinics across Minnesota during the Omicron wave. She has also designed a livelihood project supporting single mothers in Kazo, Uganda, which received funding for expansion from the US Embassy in Uganda, implemented a two-year program of change in a healthcare software development firm—concluding with a successful multi-million dollar sale of the business—and implemented a project to open a school in Uganda serving 40+ children.
A mission-driven attorney and nonprofit leader, Stephanie has dedicated her career to expanding access to justice for survivors of rape, sexual assault, and stalking. As Deputy Director of Operations at the Victim Rights Law Center, she oversees statewide legal initiatives and pro bono partnerships that strengthen civil protections for survivors in employment, education, privacy, and safety. She also leads national projects advancing trauma-informed practices across the legal field. With over a decade of experience at the intersection of trauma-informed advocacy and organizational leadership, Stephanie is passionate about building sustainable systems that center dignity, equity, and community. She holds a J.D. from the University of Illinois College of Law.
Mehri Barati, CPA, MBA is a seasoned financial executive and the founder of Empowered Financial Services LLC providing tax, accounting, and strategic financial advisory and educational services to individuals and businesses.
With more than 20 years of progressive leadership in governmental finance, she has directed multi-division operations, overseen budgets exceeding half a billion dollars, and delivered award-level financial reporting and audits for large public entities, including the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District and Fresno County.
She is passionate about preparing the next generation of finance and business professionals by bridging rigorous theory with strategic insight, critical thinking, and practical mastery.
She loves audiobooks, hiking, and volunteering in her community.
Dr. Fariba Parsa is an author, speaker, and researcher based in the USA. Born and raised in Iran, she began advocating for gender equality and democracy during her high school years. Dr. Parsa later lived in Denmark, where she earned a master’s degree in political science from the University of Copenhagen and a Ph.D. in social science, specializing in Iranian politics with a focus on political Islam, democracy, and human rights.
With over 15 years of experience working with Danish national and grassroots organizations, Dr. Parsa has been a prominent voice for human rights and democracy. She has held leadership roles as a board member for organizations such as the Danish National Council for Women, the Danish Council for European Policy, UNA Denmark, and the Danish National Council for Human Rights. Additionally, she has contributed insightful commentary on Iran’s politics to Danish newspapers and national television.
In 2010, Dr. Parsa moved to the United States as a visiting postdoctoral fellow at Harvard University’s Center for Middle Eastern Studies. She continued her research on Iranian women’s leadership challenges and opportunities at the University of Maryland. From 2014 onward, she served as a research assistant at George Mason University’s Center for Women and Gender Studies in Fairfax, Virginia.
Dr. Parsa is the founder of Women’s E-Learning in Leadership (WELL), a nonprofit organization that empowers Iranian and Afghan women through leadership education and training. From 2014 to 2020, she collaborated closely with young female students at George Mason University to advance WELL’s mission.
Dr. Parsa has also worked as a non-resident scholar with the Middle East Institute’s Iran Program in Washington, DC, contributing research articles and presenting on women’s rights and leadership in Iran. Her work continues to inspire and support efforts toward gender equality, democracy, and human rights in Iran and beyond. Her recent book: Fighting for Change in Iran: The Women, Life, Freedom Philosophy against Political Islam is now available on Amazon.
Dr. Rezvan Moghaddam is a distinguished academic, researcher, and activist with a multifaceted career spanning sociology, gender studies, mathematics, and human rights advocacy. She holds a Ph.D. in sociology, specializing in gender studies, along with master’s degrees in educational psychology and pure mathematical statistics. Her interdisciplinary academic background reflects her deep analytical skills and passion for addressing complex societal issues.
As an academic, Dr. Moghaddam has held research positions at renowned institutions, including Freie Universität Berlin, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, and Maynooth University in Ireland.
She is one of the founding members of the “One Million Signatures” campaign in Iran, which aimed to collect one million signatures in support of changing discriminatory laws against women in the country.
She is also a prominent activist and spokesperson for the Stop Honor Killings Campaign, focusing on Iran and other Middle Eastern countries. Her advocacy work sheds light on the critical issue of “honor killings” and the systemic misogyny that perpetuates such violence. She works tirelessly to amplify the voices of marginalized women and promote legislative and social reforms to combat gender-based violence.
As a sought-after speaker, Dr. Moghaddam has participated in influential forums such as the SAR (Scholars at Risk) Speaker Series, where she shares her expertise on human rights violations and strategies for societal change.
Her dedication to gender equality and human rights continues to inspire change and empower communities.
WordPress Developer & Website Manager with a full-stack foundation. Build, customize, and maintain sites in WordPress, Webflow, and Shopify. Experience across Aria Zamin Real Estate, CCSI, AIBAIE, WELL for Democracy, and Fariba Parsa.Customize themes/plugins (Houzez, custom functions) and refine CMS workflows. Integrate Google Maps and Mapbox for property search and geolocation. Set up domains, DNS, hosting, and SSL to keep sites secure and stable.Improve SEO, load speed, and mobile responsiveness using best practices.
Manage content, listings, and train teams for smooth operations. Develop MIS apps with Node.js, MongoDB, MySQL, and CodeIgniter.
BSc in Computer Science (Herat University) + Full-Stack training at Code to Inspire. Focused on clean UX, measurable results, and continuous learning.
Tina Shams holds a Bachelor’s degree in English Language and Literature from Herat University and is a graduate of the two-year graphic design program at Code to Inspire. She is a certified dialogue facilitator through the World in Conversation program at Pennsylvania State University. Tina is certified of Desktop Support Technecian from AUAF (American University of Afghanistan). With a strong passion for creativity and community engagement, Tina has served as a volunteer graphic designer at SIHAM ( Soziale Initiative Hamburg SI-HAM e.V.) and worked professionally with CCSI (Compliance and Capacity Skills International).
She has also contributed as a freelance graphic designer and social media manager at NID (Non-violent Initiative for Democracy), and as a teacher and designer at Herat Online School. As a committed social activist, Tina was actively involved with the HCSSO (Herat Civil Society Support Organization) for over five years and volunteered as an ESP instructor in various departments at Herat University for more than two years. She is also a dedicated volleyball player.
Tabina is a student at George Washington University majoring in Political Science and minoring in Psychology and Brain Sciences. She is a current Co-Director of Membership in Allied in Pride. In Tabina’s free time she plays the viola, paints and likes exploring her new city, DC.
In the future, she is attending law school to pursue a career in human rights and activism. She is passionate about women’s educational and autonomous rights, children’s rights and LGBTQ+ movements. Tabina is excited to work with Women’s E-Learning in Leadership as an intern to fundraise and aid in social media matters.
Megan is a graduate student at George Washington University studying Global Gender Policy in International Affairs. She reports for the GW Hatchet and is passionate about storytelling through journalism. A former collegiate athlete, Megan enjoys running and experiencing the fabulous running routes DC has to offer. After graduating from George Washington in 2026, she plans to work in communications for a women’s rights organization. As an intern with WELL, Megan is excited to contribute to WELL’s communication efforts and work to increase the organization's visibility.
Lilli-Sage is a dedicated student currently pursuing her degree in International Relations at IE University, where her passion lies in Global Affairs and International Law. Originally from Zimbabwe, she spent her formative years in Botswana until relocating to Spain for her university education. Outside of her academic pursuits, Lilli-Sage finds joy in painting and has channeled her passion into entrepreneurship by founding a company specializing in hand-painted tote bags and bamboo cups, contributing to sustainable development initiatives.
Her commitment to environmental sustainability aligns with her broader interests in creating a more equitable world. Driven by her persistent dedication to social justice, Lilli-Sage actively advocates for women’s rights. She is particularly enthusiastic about collaborating with Women’s E-Learning in Leadership to further this cause and advocate for democracy. Through her involvement, she seeks to empower women and contribute to the ongoing fight for equality on a global scale.
Women make up half the world, yet are still too often left out of leadership roles. This imbalance means we miss out on valuable ideas, experiences, and solutions. When women lead, communities thrive.
Diverse leadership brings better decisions, more innovation, and stronger results—in business, government, and society. Promoting women’s leadership is more than fairness—it’s smart, just, and necessary. It opens doors for the next generation and helps build a world where everyone has the chance to lead and succeed.
