FarNova

Meet The Team

The dedicated people behind FarNova — our board and our team.

Leadership

Meet the Board

A smiling woman with shoulder-length brown hair, wearing a black top with a colorful design and red lipstick, at a social gathering.

Dr. Roya Deghani

Founder & Board Member

I am a passionate advocate for the Persian community in Canadian society, and a strong believer in their resilience, responsibility, and strength.

Following the 2022 uprising after the murder of Mahsa Amini, I became active on X to support Iranians navigating trauma and to help raise awareness about mental health and suicide prevention and strengthening them.

Through my work, I have sought to highlight Persian culture of taking responsibility, gratitude, critical thinking, and the importance of cooperative collaboration to support one another.

I am committed to turning awareness into meaningful support to create positive change within the Persian and Canadian community

A woman with shoulder-length hair wearing glasses, smiling warmly at the camera, with a neutral background.

Zahra Shafieian

Board Member & Secretary

I am honoured to be on FarNova’s Board. As someone who imigrated myself to Canada from Iran, I am deeply passionate about supporting the advancement and interests of my fellow Persian-Canadians. Having strong familial ties in Iran, and being a proud Persian myself, I am excited to be part of FarNova as we advocate for the liberation, strength, community, advancement, and virtuosity of Persians everywhere

Close-up portrait of a woman with wavy brown hair, wearing a black outfit and gold earrings, against a dark background.

Elham Sabeti

Board Member

My love for Iran, its rich culture, and its invaluable heritage was one of the most important reasons I chose to join FarNova. I believe that culture is the foundation of growth, development, and connection among individuals and communities. Preserving and promoting Iranian culture and passing this precious heritage on to future generations is, for me, both a responsibility and an honor.
I am proud and grateful to serve as a member of the Board of Directors of Farhang Novin, alongside a group of people who share a deep love for Iran and its rich cultural heritage. I am honored to contribute, even in a small way, to this meaningful journey.

Coat of arms featuring two golden lions holding a torch atop an open book, surrounded by a circular blue border. Below, a ribbon in the colors of the Iranian flag with a lion emblem.

Saloumeh Ahadi

CEO

I am a community leader, project professional, and certified coach with a passion for bringing people together and helping communities thrive. Through my work with nonprofit organizations, newcomer support, and community engagement, I have seen firsthand how cultural differences and communication barriers can make it difficult for people and families to feel truly connected and supported. I am passionate about creating spaces where people from different backgrounds can understand one another, feel a sense of belonging, and build meaningful connections.

As CEO, I am proud to be part of FarNova and to help create initiatives that support newcomers, families, and communities across Canada. I believe that diversity is one of Canada’s greatest strengths, and that when we create opportunities for people to connect, learn from one another, and feel included, we build stronger communities for everyone.

Emblem featuring two golden lions holding a torch above an open book, encircled by decorative elements and topped with the word 'FARNOVA' in blue. Below, a ribbon depicting the colors of the Iranian flag.

Hilda Hosseini

CFO

I’m honoured to serve on FARNOVA’s Board as Chief Financial Officer. With a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from Azad University in Tehran and more than 20 years of experience in accounting – including 14 years working with law firms – I bring a strong background in finances to FarNova.

Although I now call Canada home, Iran will always hold a special place in my heart, no matter where life takes me or how many years pass. I am passionate about supporting the safety, dignity, and prosperity of Iranians and the broader Persian community. Through my role at FARNOVA, I hope to strengthen the organization financially so that we can expand our ability to support Persian-Canadian immigrants, citizens, and communities both in Canada and beyond.

Our People

Meet the Team

A young man with curly hair wearing a light blue suit and a striped tie, standing in front of a window.

Amirreza Adel

Social Media

I am proud to be part of the FarNova team and to contribute to its mission of supporting Iranian communities and preserving and promoting Iranian culture. Although I was born in Canada, I have always felt a deep connection to Iran, its history, language, and cultural heritage. I learned Persian from a young age and take great pride in speaking and writing the language and maintaining a strong connection to my roots.

At FarNova, I contribute my skills in social media, graphic and logo design, and video production to help communicate our message and connect with the wider community. I believe that culture, language, and history are an important part of our identity and should be preserved and celebrated for generations to come. I am honoured to use my creativity and skills in support of a community and cause that are deeply meaningful to me.

Aria Chamroosh

Educatational Officer

I am passionate about learning, teaching, and helping others discover the value of continuous self-directed growth. I hold a Master’s degree in Political Science and have spent years researching and writing about Iran’s contemporary history, politics, society, national identity, and culture. Through my work on more than 40 analytical articles, media and writing projects, and independent digital platforms focused on Iranian history, political thought, culture, and public discourse, I have always believed in the power of knowledge to broaden our perspective and encourage deeper thinking.

At FarNova, I am excited to help build a culture of curiosity, critical thinking, and lifelong learning. I believe education is not limited to classrooms or formal institutions – it is something we can actively pursue throughout our lives. My goal is to create and share opportunities that encourage people to learn independently, explore new ideas, understand their history and culture, and continually grow both personally and intellectually. I am proud to contribute to FarNova’s mission by helping make learning a meaningful and empowering part of our community.

Coat of arms featuring two golden lions holding a torch above an open book, surrounded by a decorative circle and a ribbon with the colors of the Iranian flag.

Ava R

Logistics & Operations Officer

I am honoured to be part of FARNOVA and to contribute to its mission of empowering and supporting the Persian community. Although I was born in Tehran, Iran, I have called Canada home since 2007. My own experience as an immigrant has shaped my passion for helping others build meaningful and successful lives in their new communities. My cultural heritage is something that I often struggled with growing up, something that I hope to be able to help other young Persian-Canadians work through.

After attaining my Bachelor’s and Masters, I began Medical School and am currently a third year student. I have previous experience as a Director of an international not-for-profit organization, in addition to working with various charities and community organizations. Through FARNOVA, I hope to use my experiences in healthcare, nonprofit leadership, and community service to help empower Persian immigrants, strengthen our community, and create opportunities for Persians to thrive in Canada and around the world.