The Iranian Gala @Harvard is a black-tie evening that honors leading community members in various fields. Founded by a group of Harvard students of Persian heritage, the Gala strives to bring together leading professionals, artists, and academics who have dedicated themselves to furthering the study, understanding, and appreciation of Iranian culture, history, and society. The vision of the Gala is to mobilize and empower the next generation of leaders in the Iranian community.
The Iranian Gala @Harvard is presented by Harvard College Iranian Association (HCIA) in partnership with Harvard alumni, faculty, and affiliates.
The Iranian Gala @Harvard is presented by Harvard College Iranian Association (HCIA) in partnership with Harvard alumni, faculty, and affiliates.
2019 Keynote
Fariborz Maseeh
Entrepreneur and Philanthropist
An Iranian immigrant, Dr. Fariborz Maseeh is an incredibly accomplished entrepreneur and philanthropist. He is a pioneer in the field of micro-electro mechanical systems (MEMS), as the founder of IntelliSense, which was twice named to the New England Technology "Fast 50" and the Forbes' "Fast 500." Currently, Dr. Maseeh heads the investment management firm Surlamer he founded in 2001, which oversees various trading, real estate and venture capital funds. He is also involved in his venture philanthropy foundation, Massiah Foundation, which has furthered various humanitarian, educational and Persian cultural interests. Dr. Maseeh serves on MIT Corporation Board and is a member of Harvard Medical School Board of Fellow.
Entrepreneur and Philanthropist
An Iranian immigrant, Dr. Fariborz Maseeh is an incredibly accomplished entrepreneur and philanthropist. He is a pioneer in the field of micro-electro mechanical systems (MEMS), as the founder of IntelliSense, which was twice named to the New England Technology "Fast 50" and the Forbes' "Fast 500." Currently, Dr. Maseeh heads the investment management firm Surlamer he founded in 2001, which oversees various trading, real estate and venture capital funds. He is also involved in his venture philanthropy foundation, Massiah Foundation, which has furthered various humanitarian, educational and Persian cultural interests. Dr. Maseeh serves on MIT Corporation Board and is a member of Harvard Medical School Board of Fellow.
2019 Honorees
Firoozeh Dumas
Best-selling Author Firoozeh Dumas is the author of two New York Times Bestsellers, Funny in Farsi and Laughing without an Accent. Her award winning middle school grade novel, It Ain't So Awful, Falafel, is currently a finalist for the California Young Reader Medal. Firoozeh Dumas has also written for the New York Times, Gourmet Magazine, Los Angeles Times, and many other outlets. You may have heard her commentaries on National Public Radio. |
Cyrus Habib
Lieutenant Governor, Washington A three-time cancer survivor, Lieutenant Governor Habib has been fully blind since age eight. He is the first and only Iranian-American official to hold statewide elected office in the country. He has been recognized as a political rising star by multiple publications including the Washington Post and Governing Magazine. He is a graduate of Columbia University, Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar, and Yale Law School. |
Mohsen Mostafavi
Dean and Alexander and Victoria Wiley Professor of Design at the Harvard Graduate School of Design Mohsen Mostafavi is Dean and Alexander and Victoria Wiley Professor of Design at the Harvard Graduate School of Design. An architect and educator, his work focuses on modes and processes of urbanization and on the interface between technology and aesthetics. Mostafavi is the author and editor of many books, including Ecological Urbanism (co-edited 2010 and recently translated into Chinese, Portuguese, and Spanish); In the Life of Cities (2012); Architecture is Life (2013); Nicholas Hawksmoor: The London Churches (2015); Portman's America & Other Speculations (2017); and Ethics of the Urban: The City and the Spaces of the Political (2017). |
Randy H. Goodman
Photojournalist Ms. Randy H. Goodman is a renowned photojournalist and one of a handful of American journalists to work in Iran since the 1979 revolution. She captured life in the Islamic Republic during the U.S. Embassy takeover, the Iran-Iraq war, and another pivotal time in US-Iran relations, the Iran Nuclear Agreement. Her solo exhibits have been shown in the US and Europe and her photographs published in books, newspapers and magazines throughout the world. |
2019 Honoree and Musical Performer
Darya Dadvar Soprano Soloist, Composer Darya grew up in an artistic environment in Iran. In 1999, she obtained her “Diplome d’Etude Musicale” (Musical studies diploma – Gold Medal) in vocal training. One year later, she finished her musical education in the National Conservatory of Toulouse/France and obtained a first-class diploma, as well as a Diploma specializing in Baroque Style. In 2001 she moved to Paris, and engaged in a successful career as a soprano, attracting listeners from around the world. Her concerts are continuously popular. Darya creates her own music by combining the traditional music of Iran, in the European classical style. Her unique talent in arranging Iranian music – with styles such as baroque, classical, jazz and blues with traditional elements – sets her apart as one of the most innovative artists in “World Music” today. She will also occasionally combine different musical styles within one song, bringing historical periods together, and crossing languages and dialects. Above all, she follows her own instincts. In short, she has dared to create a new style of singing all her own. |
