NIAC is pleased to announce that our team is expanding!  Former VOA Persian host Negar Mortazavi is joining NIAC as Director of Persian & New Media.  Former NIAC intern Mina Jafari is also joining NIAC’s staff as a Graphics and Communications Associate.

Born in Tehran, Negar Mortazavi has lived and worked in the United States since 2002. After she earned her Master’s Degree in International Development from Brandeis University, she went on to work for the United Nations Development Program in New York and the International Center for Journalists in Washington, D.C. For the past three years, Negar served as Social Media Manager and TV host of a daily interactive program at Voice of America (VOA) Persian.  She has since carved out an influential role as a freelance journalist and new media expert, serving as one of the primary Persian voices on events related to US-Iran relations. She “looks forward to expanding NIAC’s Persian and social media presence and engaging with a global audience.”

Mina Jafari has spent the past four months serving as a star intern at NIAC, and has been instrumental in efforts to strengthen our web communication and design. Born and raised in Maryland, Mina received her B.A in Government & Politics and Persian Studies at the University of Maryland. After college, Mina spent a year in Iran teaching English to young children. Her time there motivated her to start her own graphic design company, which incorporates elements of traditional Persian design. Mina believes “[her] work is vital in ensuring NIAC’s mission to strengthen the civic engagement of the Iranian–American community, and that it receives the support it deserves.”

We are proud to have Negar and Mina join our team as we work towards our goals of promoting diplomacy and peace, human rights, and strengthening Iranian-American civic engagement.