Sanam Akhlagh is the Founder, Executive Director, and President of the Board of Pardis for Children. A member of the Iranian diaspora, she established Pardis in 2011, following the birth of her first child, with the vision of creating a community for children of Iranian heritage while also providing a space for both Iranian and non-Iranian children to explore and celebrate the richness of the Persian language and Iranian culture.
Under Sanam’s leadership, Pardis has evolved into a pioneering organization that reaches families worldwide, providing innovative cultural education and language-immersion programs that have benefited thousands of children over the years. She has brought together a remarkable team of educators, artists, and musicians whose creativity and expertise continue to shape these transformative experiences, enriching the lives of children of Iranian heritage and their families across the globe.
She has also spearheaded the creation and publication of a wide range of original content—including music albums, podcasts, audiobooks, music videos, and educational curricula—that has become a cornerstone for families and educators seeking engaging, high-quality, and accessible resources on Persian culture.
In addition, Sanam has forged partnerships with renowned cultural institutions such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Guggenheim Museum, the Asia Society, and children’s museums across New York City, introducing Iranian culture into broader cross-cultural conversations and public programs. Over the years, she has initiated and overseen numerous tours, exhibitions, and public events—including annual celebrations of Nowruz and Yalda—highlighting Persian traditions and culture for diverse audiences.
Prior to founding Pardis, Sanam served as a consultant for multiple for-profit, nonprofit, and governmental agencies. Immediately before starting Pardis, she oversaw the Community Partners Program at New York City’s Center for Economic Opportunity, which directed collaborations between city agencies and grassroots organizations. Through this initiative, she helped create opportunities for New Yorkers by facilitating workforce training, fostering connections with local businesses, and expanding access to city programs.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Sanam has been deeply engaged in philanthropic and cultural projects. Following the 2003 earthquake in Bam, Iran, she organized a fundraiser in New York City and traveled to the region to personally distribute the proceeds to multiple NGOs supporting victims. She has also curated documentary film series at NYU and directed her own documentary, The Iron Cradle, which explores the dreams, struggles, and aspirations of Iranians from diverse backgrounds. Throughout her work, Sanam’s mission has been to strengthen the Iranian community while sharing the richness and beauty of Persian culture with the broader world.
Sanam currently serves on the Board of Trustees at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum and on the board of Khōréō, a quarterly magazine of speculative fiction and migration. She is also an advisory board member of Nimruz and serves as co-chair of the Iranian American Women Foundation’s New York chapter, championing empowerment, connection, and leadership among women of the Iranian diaspora.
She earned her B.A., Cum Laude, in Operations Research and her M.A. in Engineering and Management Systems, both from Columbia University. Sanam lives in Brooklyn with her husband, Morad Masjedi, and their two sons.
