About NAVA International

Building Bridges from Silence to Independence

NAVA International is a nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding access to education, skills, and economic opportunity for women and girls who face systemic barriers to learning and employment.

We believe that education is not only a pathway to knowledge, but a foundation for dignity, independence, and long-term stability. Across communities affected by poverty, displacement, and inequality, women and girls are often the first to be excluded from opportunity and the last to receive support. NAVA exists to change that reality.

Our work focuses on practical, skills-based education that equips women and girls with the tools they need to navigate real-world challenges. Through educational programs, language learning, workforce readiness training, and empowerment initiatives, we support participants in building confidence, competence, and sustainable futures.

NAVA International serves communities both within the United States and internationally. In the U.S., we support immigrant and refugee women and families through educational access, cultural orientation, and skill-building programs that promote integration, resilience, and economic participation. Internationally, we work with women and girls in underdeveloped and underserved communities where access to education and employment opportunities is limited or restricted.

We are committed to ethical, non-political, and inclusive programming that respects cultural contexts while advancing opportunity and equity. Our approach is grounded in education, empowerment, and collaboration — not charity alone, but capacity-building that enables lasting impact.

NAVA International is organized exclusively for charitable and educational purposes. We exist to ensure that women and girls, regardless of geography or circumstance, have the opportunity to learn, grow, and build meaningful futures.

Our Three Core Programs

1.

Education & Employment Initiative

We provide women with access to practical education — from digital design and communication to technology and entrepreneurship — and connect them with real global employers, freelance platforms, and training partners to achieve long-term independence.

2.

Beyond the Burqa Project

Our creative storytelling platform amplifies women's voices across the globe. Through personal stories, short documentaries, and visual media, we highlight women not as victims, but as leaders of resilience, creativity, and hope.

3.

Scholarship & School Support Program

We advocate for equal access to education by helping women and girls secure scholarships, mentorship programs, and academic partnerships — while supporting girls’ schools in vulnerable communities around the world.

Vision

A world where women are not silenced or saved —

but educated, skilled, and leading their own change.

Mission

To empower women in marginalized and conflict-affected communities through education, digital literacy, and creative storytelling —

turning isolation into opportunity and silence into global connection.

At NAVA, we believe empowerment begins with visibility and grows through opportunity. Every woman deserves the chance to learn, create, and lead her own future. Education is Her Revolution — and We Stand Beside Her.

Our Team

Dedicated individuals working tirelessly to empower women

Zorah Amin Poor

Executive Director

Leads the organization’s strategy, partnerships, fundraising vision, and overall operations.

Jamshid Soltanzadeh

Program Director

Designs, manages, and evaluates all educational and empowerment programs.

Mursal Hashimi

Media / Communications

Manages branding, website content, social media, campaigns, and public communications.

Mahdi Hashimi

Outreach / Program Coordinator

Coordinates community engagement, beneficiary enrollment, and local program implementation.

Advisory Board

Expert advisors providing strategic guidance and professional expertise to empower women

Tom Rotelli

Advisory Board Member

MAPP, University of Pennsylvania

CAPP Certified

Positive Psychology Practitioner

Tom Rotelli is a positive psychology practitioner and personal development coach living and working in the Sacramento region of northern California. His clients include military personnel, high school students, lawyers, entrepreneurs, artists, and young adults. Tom holds both a Certificate of Applied Positive Psychology (CAPP) and a Master of Applied Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania. Tom teaches undergrad Applied Positive Psychology at Penn.

Tom is passionate about working with young people experiencing homelessness. He has developed and delivered Self-Identity workshops for this population based on the VIA Survey of Character Strengths as well as providing one-on-one coaching for interested individuals. In service of that cause, Tom is currently becoming certified in Mindfulness Based Strength Practice (MBSP) through the VIA Institute. He is also a trainer for the Flourishing Center's online CAPP program.

Before discovering positive psychology, Tom worked in high energy astrophysics, anti-submarine warfare, flight simulation, secure networks, large scale databases, and technology consulting. He was the CTO of two dotcoms and founded a brewery and pub called The Monk’s Cellar. His favorite job was the 13 years he spent as a stay-at-home Dad.

Tom and his partner have three mini donkeys, play ice hockey, love working on their little ranch, and serving their community as Rotarians. They are enormously proud of Tom’s two sons, one at Lewis & Clark and the other at the USNA.

Our Volunteers

We are proud to work with passionate professionals, students, and community members who generously share their time and expertise.

Steve Smith

REALTOR

Keller Williams Realty

Steve supports our initiatives through community engagement and professional guidance.

Anya Timchenko

Student Services & Support Programs Technician, Sierra College | Program Coordinator – Education, NAVA International

Anya supports our education initiatives through technical expertise and program coordination.

Amanda Hart

Founder / Sales

I-Tul Design & Software

Custom design, development, support, and hosting for websites, apps, and software.

Laila Reintjes

Engineering Student | English Instructor

NAVA International

Laila supports our programs by teaching English and strengthening student learning.

Join Our Mission

Whether through volunteering, mentoring, partnerships, or donations, you can help us empower women. Together, we create lasting change.