Board of Directors
Alefba believes in the concept of family. A large group of dedicated volunteers work in Alefba in form of several committees. The chair of each committee plus the President of Alefba form the Board of Directors of the organization. The following individuals currently serve at the Board as Directors and Officers.
Afshin Bidari
President
bidari@alefbagroup.org
Dr. Afshin Bidari is a dedicated and compassionate internal medicine physician based in Bellevue, Washington. With a medical degree from a prestigious institution in Iran, Dr. Bidari has brought his extensive knowledge and expertise to the United States, where he continues to make a significant impact in the field of internal medicine.
Since relocating to the United States, Dr. Bidari has been actively involved in various community activities, demonstrating a strong commitment to enhancing healthcare accessibility and quality. His approach to medicine emphasizes patient-centered care, focusing on comprehensive and personalized treatment plans that address the unique needs of each individual.
Dr. Bidari is known for his empathetic communication style and his ability to build strong, trusting relationships with his patients. He is dedicated to staying at the forefront of medical advancements and is continually seeking opportunities to expand his knowledge and skills.
Outside of his professional life, Dr. Bidari enjoys engaging with the local community and exploring new cultural experiences. His diverse background and dedication to patient care make him a valued member of the Bellevue medical community.
RANA Amini
Vice President
rana@alefbagroup.org
Rana Amini is a an advocate for equity, justice and health for all. Being an immigrant, she is specifically passionate about the Persian culture and the impact of culture in bringing together the communities.
Rana has been a member of the Kherad Committee since its establishment in 2019.
Rana is a Pathologist graduated from Tehran University and has an MBA from Seattle University. She is Co-founder of the Washington State Community Health Workers Association, and also is a member of Technical Advisory Board of Lake Washington Institute of Technology. She is now working at a community health center in King County, following her passion to serve the community professionally and personally.
Ali Moslemi
Treasurer
& Choir Committee Chair
ali@alefbagroup.org
Sanaz Ansari
Secretary
and Public Relations Committee Chair
sanaz@alefbagroup.org
Sanaz Ansari is a Business and Data Analyst working in the Greater Seattle Area. She began her career at Puget Sound Energy in 2019.
Sanaz is very passionate about history, literature, and culture. She joined Alefba in 2019 and volunteered for many events and has been an active member of Seattle Iranian Choir.
As the Public Relations committee chair, Sanaz focuses on effective communications and collaboration to empower the Iranian community.
Firoozeh Tabesh
Chashni Committee Chair
firoozeh@alefbagroup.org
Firoozeh joined the Seattle Iranian Choir in March of 2018. Soon after the formation of Alebfa, she became active with the Chasni committee and currently serves as the chair. She then joined the board of directors at Alefba. Firoozeh’s desire to celebrate her Persian culture and language is apparent in her American born children’s fluency in reading and writing Persian.
Firoozeh has obtained degrees in medical and dental fields. Her training and caring heart leads her to volunteer in many health events such as the annual Seattle/King Country Clinic and Smile Mobile which provide free medical and dental services to underserved communities. Firoozeh also finds peace in gardening, exploring outdoors, or by traveling to immerse herself in new cultures around the world.
Atosa Estekizadeh
Radio Iranshahr Committee Chair
atosa@alefbagroup.org
Atosa Estekizadeh is passionate about literature and writing, as well as live arts such as music performances and theater. She joined Radio Iranshahr in 2019 as a host, writer and director.
Atosa received her Ph.D. from the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden in 2018. She moved to Seattle in 2019 and began working as a research scientist at the University of Washington in 2020.
Maryam Badiee
Heritage Committee Chair
maryam@alefbagroup.org
The love of Persian language, culture and the need for social connectedness in the community has kept Maryam an active member of the group since its inception.
She has been a Persian language instructor teaching heritage and non-heritage students for over 18 years. She is medical and social interpreter for Persian & Dari languages. She is also a public speaker who has given presentations on wide array of topics from Persian poetry & celebrations to women’s rights.
She received her BA in Persian language and literature from Tehran University. She earned her MA in Iranian ancient cultures and languages.
Maryam is currently actively collaborating with the heritage group, poetry-night circle and the book club. She is looking forward to branching out her energy and enthusiasm to where it would serve the community the best.
Sara Rostamizadeh
sara@alefbagroup.org
Sara is passionate about promoting cultural diversity, particularly within the Iranian community. She finds joy in helping others, considering it a blessing and one of the most fulfilling ways to nurture her soul. She is deeply interested in learning and personal growth, especially in developing communication and problem-solving skills.
Sara joined Alefba through the Fun Club, a space where people come together to share moments and build meaningful connections. Her involvement in the Fun Club led her to participate in other Alefba activities. She sees Alefba as an opportunity to strengthen connections within the Iranian community and provide support to those in need on their life journey.
Niloufar JAvid
Fun Club Committee Chair
niloufar@alefbagroup.org
Niloufar became involved with Alefba through the Seattle Iranian Choir and was also an active member of Radio Iranshahr for several years. Passionate about bringing people together, she enjoys organizing activities that are both fun and meaningful for the community. In 2023, she founded Alefba Fun Club, which quickly grew to 200 members under her leadership. Committed to expanding its reach, Niloufar continues to integrate the club more deeply into Alefba and its various committees.
Afshin Sepehri
President
& Heritage
Intermittent Committee Chair
afshin@alefbagroup.org
Afshin Sepehri is a dedicated leader in public service, bringing over 30 years of experience committed to serving the community and promoting Persian and Iranian culture. His work seamlessly blends cultural preservation with impactful community support.
In 2019, Afshin co-founded Alefba Group, an organization aimed at serving the community and fostering Iranian cultural heritage in Washington State and beyond. Since its founding, he has served as president, overseeing its growth and development.
Afshin’s involvement in Persian media began in 2005 when he co-founded Radio College Park, the longest-running Persian podcast. In 2018, with community support, he expanded its scope, renaming it Radio Iranshahr, which now operates under Alefba Group.
In 2015, he founded the Seattle Iranian Choir, which is now part of Alefba Group. He continues to direct and compose music for the ensemble. Afshin is also a former member of the Maryland Chorus and the Seattle Peace Chorus, and currently sings with the Kirkland Choral Society.
In 2015, he also co-founded the Kankosh Discussion Group, which expanded to a larger audience in 2018. This group is now part of Alefba Group, further expanding its educational programming. Additionally, Afshin has been an active member of several Toastmasters International clubs, winning multiple public speaking contests at the club, area, and division levels.
Afshin is deeply passionate about Persian literature, particularly Shahnameh, the Persian Book of Kings. He is the producer of the audiobook series The Stories of Shahnameh in both Persian and English, and author of the children’s book series The Stories of Shahnameh, published by Alefba Group. He regularly lectures on the Shahnameh and has led storytelling sessions across Iran and the United States. He teaches in-person and online courses on Shahnameh and Mythology, reaching audiences of thousands.
Afshin has served on the Persian and Iranian Studies Program advisory board at the University of Washington and continues to contribute to cultural workshops such as the Persian Poetry and Music Workshop of Seattle. From 2015 to 2018, he played a key role in organizing the Seattle Iranian Festival.
Afshin co-founded the Iranian Graduate Student Foundation (IGSF) at the University of Maryland in 2003 and served as its first president. He was also the Vice President of External Affairs for the Electrical and Computer Engineering Graduate Student Association (ECEGSA) from 2002 to 2003.
Afshin was an active member of the Zoroastrian Students Association in Tehran from 1991 to 1997 and served as president of the Zoroastrian Society of Washington State from 2011 to 2013.
Afshin holds a Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Maryland and works as a Principal Software Engineer in Washington State.
Mohsen Karimi
Health Committee Chair
mohsen@alefbagroup.org
Mohsen is the representative of the health committee at the board of directors. He is a professional in the medical field and a big fan of social activities, especially the ones involving food! 
English
French
Persian
Spanish