Ziba Foundation - Nina Ghavami
Nina Ghavami is recognized for her cultural, community and corporate leadership acumens for the past 25 years. She has served various positions in computer, medical and Internet Technology companies. These endeavors include working as a computer programmer for Precision Programming starting in 1981; serving as General Manager for Comprehensive Pediatric tri-state medical centers beginning in 1984; and managing the formation and operations of CheckM8 Inc. as of 2000, a high-tech online advertising company that serves many industry leading media companies worldwide.
Nina has been actively engaged in heading and founding numerous cultural and community non-profit organizations since 1986. These include serving as the Fundraising Chairperson for the Persian Cultural & Humanitarian Association (PCHA) for fifteen years, two terms as Vice President and one term as the President of PCHA, to bring cultural and traditional celebrations and events to the tri-state area; all in all meriting her a Special Recognition Award. In 1996, Nina joined the Publication Committee for the Iranian American Medical Association (IAMA) and was bestowed with two Special Recognition Awards for her leading role in organizing IAMA’s annual affairs. Concurrently, she co-founded the Persian Cultural Foundation (PCF) in 1996 with the intent of bringing a new cultural center to the tri-state area. Encyclopedia Iranica, the most comprehensive publication of Iranian history in the works for over thirty years at Columbia University, is another component of her fundraising and gala dinner roles; in addition to being a member of the Two Thousand Dollars Club; leading to a Special Recognition Award in 2004. She also co-founded the Ziba Foundation in 2002, which aims to provide a new platform for appreciation of Iranian artistry. In 2004, she co-founded the Persian Parade—a first-of-its-kind annual ceremony held in the heart of Manhattan, NY—quickly growing and having a global impact in the portrayal of rich Iranian culture and customs worldwide. Nina’s roles in the Persian Parade included being a Board Director, Co-Treasurer, and Advertising, Design and Layout Director for its publication. In 2006, Nina co-founded New York International Short Film Festival, a groundbreaking outlet for films by-and-about Iranians, which held its first-ever event on October 19th through the 21st of 2007, at Asia Society of New York. Nina is currently a Board Director and Trustee member of Iranian American Political Action Committee (IAPAC), Journal Committee of NoRuz at the Met member, as well as Publicity and Marketing Director of Ziba Foundation and the Film Festival.
Nina studied Economics in the Bachelor of Arts at Southwestern College in Oklahoma. She also studied Information Systems in Dover Business School in New Jersey. Nina is currently enrolled in a home-study program (via Internet) for Holistic Medicine at Global College of Natural Medicine in California.
Nina is married to Dr. Zia Ghavami and they have two children, Maryam, a medical doctor and published poet and writer and Dana, Founder and CEO of CheckM8 Inc. who is married to Dr. Haleh Kossari. Nina’s avocations include, playing music (especially Middle Eastern instruments like the Tarr) and enjoys dancing as her favorite sport, traveling and learning about different cultures. She is also a 3-time Marathon runner of the New York City Marathon (1997-1999).
