Ms. Shireen Farrahi, President

Shireen Farrahi has been involved in nonprofit development for over 20 years, working in various capacities with numerous cultural organizations across the Portland Metro area. She cherishes the mission of the Andisheh Center as it is helping her to get to know her Iranian heritage and her father’s homeland.

Shireen also currently serves as President of the Portland-Khabarovsk (Russia) Sister City Association and Newsletter Editor for the Northwest China Council. She holds a B.A. in Anthropology and a B.A. in International Studies-China and lives in Portland, Oregon.

Ms Bahar Behboodi

Bahar Behboodi  holds a bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences from Portland State University and a Master’s in Elementary education from Portland State University in 2022. Throughout her life, she has always dedicated her time to volunteering in the Iranian community, such as the Iranian festivals. She is an active participant in Portland’s Iranian community and has volunteered for more than a decade of her life. 

Mr. Iraj Rabiii
Iraj Rabii has been supporting the Iranian community in the Portland Metro area for over 30 years. Originally from Tehran, Iraj moved to Portland in 1974 to attend graduate school at the University of Portland, where he studied electrical engineering. After starting and settling his family in Portland, he began volunteering his time with the Iranian-American community. He helped found the Iranian American Professional Society of Oregon (IAPSO), providing scholarships to Iranian-American students and other professional networking opportunities and support to the community. Later, he assisted in establishing the Andisheh Center, promoting Iranian cultural heritage and visibility in the diaspora. He also helped create the Iranian American Friendship Council, advocating for peaceful relations between the two countries and promoting the active civic engagement of Iranians in the diaspora. He has served as treasurer and board member for all three organizations. Since retirement, Iraj continues to support immigrant communities at home and abroad, volunteering as a translator for Mercy Corps’ refugee migration response, assisting their teams working with Afghan refugees on the Greek islands.  He considers himself lucky to be able to call Portland home all these years and grateful for the sense of place he has gained from volunteering alongside his community.
Ms. Mamak Tabrizian-Behboodi

Mamak Tabrizian-Behboodi holds a bachelor’s degree in Communication from Lewis & Clark College and a master’s degree in Social Work from Portland State University, focused on Counseling Education. She is a certified mediator and holds a Strategic Therapy Certification from the Family Therapy Institute. Mamak is passionate about social justice and effecting systemic change; with over 35 years of experience in nonprofit program management, she is currently the director of the senior centers for two nonprofit organizations, Impact NW and YWCA. She has a strong background in working with marginalized and oppressed populations and has dedicated decades of her life to advocating for them. She is also an active participant in Portland’s Iranian community and has volunteered with Iranian nonprofit organizations since 1995.

Mr. Masoud Ghafarzade

Masoud Ghafarzade holds a bachelor’s degree in System Analysis from the School of Planning & Computer Applications in Tehran and a PhD degree in Computer Science from Northwestern University, focused on Artificial Intelligence. He has 38 years of combined experience in the high tech industry, academia, and IT industry. He is an active participant in Portland’s Iranian community and has volunteered with Iranian nonprofit organizations since 1997. He joined the Andisheh Center’s board of directors in 2011.

Ms. Noshad Rahimi

Noshad Rahimi holds a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Shiraz University, a master’s degree in Business Administration and a doctoral degree in Engineering & Technology Management from Portland State University. She has more than 25 years of experience in IT industry and academia – educating, researching, developing, and managing various Information Technology solutions. Noshad is passionate about educating and improving elderly total health using technology. Through various volunteer collaborations over the decades, she strives to contribute to strengthening equity, freedom, and social justice through promoting, educating, and celebrating cultural diversity.


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