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.
Allison Kulp, MBA, is a well-versed global operations and strategy leader with over 12 years of experience helping mission-driven and high-growth organizations scale sustainably. She spent nearly a decade at ServiceNow, where she played a key role in supporting the company’s massive growth by building and optimizing global sales and partner operations.
She brings deep expertise translating complex challenges into practical, scalable solutions—improving operational efficiency, strengthening financial oversight, and enabling long-term organizational health. Her work has included leading global teams, implementing systems that increased transparency and accountability, and developing strategies that aligned operational execution with broader organizational goals.
Allison holds an Executive MBA from UCLA Anderson School of Management specializing incorporate governance, global management, entrepreneurship, and technology management. She is dedicated to empowering women and an advocate for human rights across the globe. She enjoys traveling, especially immersing herself in different cultures. Also, an avid reader, she’s dedicated to lifelong learning.
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.
Nargiss Jamal is an experienced mentor specializing in leadership development, women’s empowerment, and youth engagement. With a background in education, advocacy, and community development, she has supported emerging leaders through coaching, capacity building, and strategic guidance. Her mentorship focuses on helping young women build confidence, strengthen their leadership skills, and actively participate in decision-making and civic processes. She is dedicated to fostering inclusive, resilient communities and believes mentorship is a powerful tool for long-term social change.
Areas of Expertise for Mentorship:
· Leadership Development
· Women’s Empowerment
· Youth Engagement
· Education & Capacity Building
· Confidence Building & Personal Growth
· Strategic Guidance for Emerging Leaders
· Inclusive Community Building
· Mentorship for Social Change
Maria Olon Tsaroucha is an Amazon bestselling author, educator, and globally recognized thought leader in human consciousness and personal transformation. She gained early acclaim as the youngest published author in Greece, writing her first book at just thirteen years old.
Her bestselling book, SUPRACONSCIOUS: The Genius Within You, was named a “Best Choice to Read” by The New York Times Magazine and featured on the Times Square Nasdaq Billboard. Her work has earned praise from global figures, including Deepak Chopra and Gayatri Naraine, the UN Representative for Human Rights.
Maria’s TEDx performance, “Knowing Thyself: The Eternal Process,” captured worldwide attention, reflecting her life’s mission to help others discover their inner genius through storytelling, science, and soul.
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/
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.
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.
Ati M is a WordPress Developer & Website Manager with full-stack foundation. Build, customize, and maintain sites in WordPress, Webflow, and Shopify. Experience with international development organizations, educational platforms, and civil society initiatives.
Technical expertise includes: customizing themes/plugins, CMS workflow refinement, mapping integration, domain/hosting management, SEO optimization, and full-stack development with Node.js, MongoDB, MySQL, and CodeIgniter.
BSc in Computer Science with specialized training in full-stack development. Focused on clean UX, measurable results, and continuous learning.
Raihaneh Karimi is an Afghan writer, editor, educator, and community builder dedicated to empowering women through storytelling, education, and creative leadership. As the founder of Raiwrite, she has created a platform that nurtures emerging writers—particularly women—by providing mentorship, editorial support, and opportunities to share their voices.
As Coordinator for the WELL Blog & WELL Writers, Raihaneh works with writers and contributors to cultivate a vibrant writing community and develop meaningful content that reflects WELL's mission of advancing women's leadership, democratic values, and civic engagement. She also supports writing workshops and creative initiatives that encourage learning, collaboration, and personal growth.
Driven by a deep love of literature, philosophy, and lifelong learning, Raihaneh believes that stories do more than entertain—they preserve memory, challenge injustice, build empathy, and inspire meaningful change. Through her work, she is committed to creating inclusive spaces where women and young people can write with confidence, think critically, and shape the conversations that define a better future.
Fazila Ahmadi is an Afghan community leader, education advocate, and lifelong learner dedicated to expanding educational opportunities and empowering Afghan women and girls through learning, leadership, and community engagement. As the Coordinator for Community & Education at WELL, she leads initiatives that foster collaboration, strengthen educational programs, and cultivate an inclusive environment where women can learn, connect, and thrive.
With a background in leadership development, psychology, sociology, and community engagement, Fazila has participated in numerous educational and professional development programs that have shaped her approach to community building and social impact. Her experience in coordinating learning initiatives and working closely with diverse communities has strengthened her commitment to creating meaningful educational opportunities for women.
At WELL, Fazila oversees educational programs, workshops, and community initiatives that reflect the organization's mission of advancing women's leadership, democratic values, civic engagement, and equitable access to learning. She collaborates with members and organizational teams to design impactful learning experiences, encourage knowledge sharing, and support the personal and professional growth of the community.
Fazila believes that education is one of the most powerful catalysts for lasting change. Through her work, she is committed to creating inclusive spaces where Afghan women and girls are empowered to develop their knowledge, strengthen their leadership, and become confident voices in shaping a more just, resilient, and hopeful future.
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.
