Iranian American Women Foundation Event Features Ziba Shira

Based in Southern California, Michael Saei maintains an entrepreneurial career centered on First Financial Capital. Contributing to organizations that have a positive societal impact, Michael Saei co-chairs the Iranian American Women Foundation (IAWF). The organization facilitates well-attended Women’s Leadership Conferences each year and encompasses a mentorship program and Youth Leadership Conference.

One major IAWF event of early 2018 is a celebration of International Women's Day in tandem with the University of California, Irvine’s Jordan Center for Persian Studies. Highlights include Rhythm of the Soul and Tales of Inspiration panels that feature respected artists and storytellers such as Alexandra Monir, Mamak Khadem, and Ziba Shirazi.

Shirazi has created a unique career crafting and singing musical compositions that blend Persian melodic ideas with elements of jazz and world music. Since arriving in the United States in the mid-1980s, she has released seven heartfelt albums with lyrics that evoke love and compassion, while describing the struggles of Iranian immigrants in the face of the Islamic Revolution. 

One of Shirazi’s landmark accomplishments was the creation of a 2014 musical production titled Spring Love that was shown at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.