An award winning journalist, Setareh Derakhshesh has been the Director of Voice of America Persian since January 2014. Prior to this, she was deputy director, executive editor, and the managing editor of the division. Ms. Derakhshesh played a key role in the launching of VOA Persian television in Iran. She served as the lead anchor and managing editor of its flagship news show. Earlier in her career, Ms. Derakhshesh worked as an editor, reporter and on air talent for VOA radio broadcasts to Iran. She was also the news reporter for VOA Central News and the broadcaster for the former VOA English News Now program. During her 20-year career at VOA, Ms. Derakhshesh has traveled extensively to cover U.S. presidential trips and news events throughout the world. She has also interviewed a number of world leaders, newsmakers and politicians, including former President George W. Bush, former First Lady Laura Bush, and Russian President Vladimir Putin, among others. Ms. Derakhshesh graduated summa cum laude from the Sorbonne in Paris with a Ph.D. in political science and a master’s degree in law and political science. She is fluent in Persian, French and English, and has taught at Georgetown University and American University in Washington, D.C.