The 2020 Iranian Summit has been postponed due to COVID-19
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.
2020 Keynote
Farnam Jahanian
President of Carnegie Mellon University Farnam Jahanian is the 10th president of Carnegie Mellon University, where he previously served as provost and also as vice president for research. Prior to CMU, Jahanian led the National Science Foundation Directorate for Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE) and spent 21 years at the University of Michigan. He also co-founded the internet security company Arbor Networks in 2001. Dr. Jahanian is chair of the National Research Council’s Computer Science and Telecommunications Board and sits on the board of the National Center for Women and Information Technology and on the executive committee of the U.S. Council on Competitiveness. He is co-chair of the World Economic Forum’s Global University Leaders Forum (GULF). |
2020 Honorees
Lily Sarafan
Healthcare Entrepreneur Lily Sarafan is CEO of Home Care Assistance (HCA), where she has led the company from startup to sector leader with nearly 10,000 employees across North America. HCA is consistently recognized as a best-in-class healthcare company, and Lily as a featured expert on digital health and the future of aging at the White House and global conferences. Lily is also a board member, investor and advisor for innovative companies, serving as a board director at Thumbtack and at Counsyl through its acquisition by Myriad Genetics (MYGN). An active Stanford alum, Lily serves on the Stanford Alumni Association Board of Directors, the Freeman Spogli Institute Council, and the Stanford Undergraduate Education Cabinet. She is also Founding Partner of Project BIG: The Stanford Brain Immune Gut Initiative. Lily's board service extends to other high-impact nonprofits including the Women's Alzheimer's Movement and the BerkeleyHaas Center for Innovation Economies, where she is board chair. An appointee to the California Governor’s Alzheimer's Task Force, Lily serves in various leadership roles to advance economic development, civic engagement, and precision health. |
Dr. Jamshid Ghajar
Clinical Professor of Neurosurgery at Stanford University Dr. Ghajar is currently Clinical Professor of Neurosurgery and the Moghadam Family Director of the Stanford Brain Performance Center. In 2009 he founded SyncThink, a portable VR/AR technology platform that assesses eye tracking impairments precisely and reliably within a minute to analyze brain performance with applications spanning dementia, ADHD, and concussion.The technology is used by major medical centers, professional sport teams and the Pac-12. Dr. Jamshid Ghajar was born in Berkeley, California, and raised in Iran, England and Los Angeles. He completed his MD/PhD at Cornell University Medical College in New York, where he spent almost 40 years of his career before moving to Stanford. He invented and patented several neurosurgical devices that are currently used worldwide. In 1987, he founded the Brain Trauma Foundation which developed the severe Traumatic brain injury evidence-based guidelines that are now considered the standard of care for U.S. trauma centers, leading to a 45% decline in deaths. Dr. Ghajar is currently Clinical Professor of Neurosurgery and Director of the Stanford Brain Performance Center. |
Alan Khazei
Social Entrepreneur Alan was born to an Italian American mother and Iranian American immigrant father. He is an Honors graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Law School. Alan was appointed to the Commission on National and Community Service by President George H.W. Bush and served as a Vice-Chair from 1990-1992. Alan has also served on numerous non-profit boards focused on fighting hunger, empowering opportunity youth, educating children, fighting poverty, reviving local journalism, and providing more people with opportunities to serve. He has been a recipient of several honorary degrees and numerous awards. US News and World Report named Alan one of America's 25 Best Leaders and the Boston Globe Magazine recognized him as one of 11 Bostonians Changing the World. The Nonprofit Times has named Alan one of America’s 50 most important non profit leaders. |
Mr. and Mrs. Madanipour
Educators Mr. And Mrs. Madanipour have been a hallmark within the Greater Boston Persian community as they have made it their mission to teach Farsi and deepen a greater appreciation of the Persian Culture to countless youths for over 30 years. Their selfless dedication to this cause has led to the strengthening of the roots of Iranian culture in the Greater Boston area. The service they have given has been truly remarkable, and their leadership has kept the Persian language and culture alive within the Iranian-American youth over decades. |
Former Honoree and 2020 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. |
