My experiences with Laya Khadjavi as a part of this mentorship program have been invaluable. Laya has been such a tremendous resource for me and has served as a key contributor to my growth as a professional within my industry. We regularly have calls with one another and touch base on a consistent basis. She has advised me through a number of difficult situations and has shared a number of the personal experiences that she encountered through her time within the industry with me as well. All in all it has been truly amazing to have someone with her knowledge and experience within my industry to have as a resource as I grow my professional career. I am extremely thankful and appreciative to the Iranian American Women Foundation for connecting the two of us.

[My mentor] is an incredible role model, a nurturing mentor, and a true friend. In addition to counsel, she has made a point to provide me with hands-on experiences like visiting NJ Congresswoman, Bonnie Watson Coleman’s office to teach me about legislative meetings, and encouraged me to accompany her to an Iranian American conference (Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian Americans) in DC where I had the opportunity to volunteer, network and create opportunities for a successful transition to the DC area. Her insights to the workings of the capital were invaluable.

I had requested a mentor through IAWF as I began my search for a job in the Bay Area - I was relocating from the Midwest. I was unsure about how to network and make contacts with the tech community virtually and didn’t know how I could set myself apart from the highly competitive workforce in the area. [My mentor] Sherry stepped in and helped me tremendously with interview prep, helping me update my LinkedIn, reviewing my resume, helping me craft cover letters, and giving me important advice on salary negotiation. Through her help, I received multiple offers from amazing companies and have now been working at Culture Amp for almost a year. I am grateful to IAWF and Sherry for creating a program that provides strong, female, Iranian mentors.

I had a meeting with my mentor around 2 months ago and it was very beneficial for me since I wasn’t in a good mood around that time and she was very helpful. Sogand jan is very supportive, pushing and encouraging. I am so glad that I have her as a mentor and can get her advice. However, I am not sure how it will go on since I am moving far away now, but we are going to be in touch and I will definitely have her consultations.

I’ve had such an amazing experience with the IAWF Mentorship Program. My mentor has been a constant source of support and encouragement. In fact, she is the reason I was nominated as a speaker for the Rising Star panel for the 2017 IAWF conference. I got to speak to the entire conference about my experiences in both the private and public sectors. It was such an honor!

I have learned that I’m not alone, that even some of the mentors are still struggling with the things I am struggling. And it’s okay to be lost right now, I’m still learning and have time to grow. My mentor is great, she really listens to me and tried to help me with my problems with a lot of love and understanding. She offers different options I could have to change any problem I have and I don’t feel stuck.