FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEW YORK, February 28, 2025 – The Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America (FEZANA) and Stella’s Girls, Incorporated will be participating in the 69th Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, USA.
This year, both delegations will present an in-person parallel event titled, “Empowering Girls: Building the Leaders of Tomorrow.” The session aims to empower girls by exploring critical areas such as finance, technology, sexual and reproductive health, leadership, and relationship violence. It will also examine how biases and intersectionality impact access, opportunities, and outcomes for girls and young women, particularly those from marginalized communities. By addressing these challenges, the session highlights the importance of equipping young women with the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to succeed in today’s world, showcasing real-life examples of initiatives that prepare them to become future leaders in their communities.
This event is open to the public, including those not attending the CSW69 Conference. We invite you to join us in learning, sharing, partnering, and advocating for solutions that address educational issues globally.
The parallel event details are:
Date: Thursday, March 20th, 2025
Time: 4:30 PM EST
Location: Church Centre United Nations, 10th Floor, 777 United Nations Plaza, New York, NY
Panel Speakers:
Khursheed Ichhaporia
Khursheed is an Associate Professor of Biology at Oakton College, a minority-serving institution in Illinois. She serves on multiple college committees, including the U.S. Diversity Task Force, the Academic Computing Committee, and the Global Studies Advisory Committee. In addition, she has served on conference proposal review committees for the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) and American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) conferences. A frequent presenter, Khursheed shares expertise on grit and growth mindset, global education integration, and faculty leadership. Recently, she was selected by the Council of American Overseas Research Centers (CAORC) to study climate change and public health in Mongolia. LinkedIn Profile
Mahtab B. Dastur
Mahtab B. Dastur (she/her) is a first-year student at Rice University studying social policy and neuroscience. She serves on the board of several non-profit organizations, including the one she and her brother founded, Books2Smiles, which sends books across the world to children who do not have access to them; and Project C.A.R.V., where she is constantly advocating to decrease cases of Teen Dating Violence. Mahtab is passionate about the environment, empowering youth, and fostering open communication between all people. She has been invited to speak on these topics at several global platforms such as multi-national Zoroastrian Congresses, the Parliament of World’s Religions, and the Girl Up USA Leadership Summit. Mahtab’s lifelong goal is to make a lasting difference in the world. LinkedIn Profile
Marina Batliwalla
Marina has over 20 years’ experience as an Institutional Investment Consultant with Mercer Investments LLC. She is also producer and host of the Banking On Girls Podcast which highlights the importance of raising ALL girls with financial literacy, through real-life stories and interviews. Marina holds a BEc in Actuarial Studies from Macquarie University, Sydney and is a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries and a CFA Charterholder. She is a graduate mentor from the gold-accredited Cherie Blair Foundation for Women, Mentoring Women in Business programme. Marina was named as the 2023 Honoree by Women In Institutional Investments Networking (WIIIN), Los Angeles, and attended the 68th UN CSW as a delegate with FEZANA. LinkedIn Profile
Mehrnaz Kharoliwalla
Mehrnaz Kharoliwalla is a 15-year-old freshman at Verona Area High School in Verona, Wisconsin. She is an active member of the school’s volleyball and gymnastics team, showcasing her athletic talents. Additionally, Mehrnaz participates in her school’s Model UN, reflecting her interest in global issues and desire to help people around the world. Beyond sports and academics, she excels in the arts and has received numerous awards for her beautiful paintings. Her dedication to various activities highlights her well-rounded and accomplished nature.
Panteha Soroushpoor
Panteha, a certified PMP and GIS Project Manager with 10+ years of experience, currently works in 911 emergency response and holds a degree in Chemical Engineering. Based in Dallas, Texas, she is a Mobedyar (female Zoroastrian priest) committed to educating Zoroastrian youth on their culture and values. As a dedicated volunteer and an active member of the Zoroastrian Association of North Texas (ZANT), she also served as a board member of the Zoroastrian Student Association and led the news team at Amordad News. Panteha brings her passion for cultural heritage and education and her leadership point of view to the CSW community. LinkedIn Profile
Parinaz Dastur
Parinaz is a 16 year old student at Stratford Preparatory High School in San Jose, California. She started Tech Together, an initiative to promote Computer Science education and has been successful in receiving support and collaboration from faculty at UC Berkeley. Parinaz was a speaker at the United Nations – 68th Commission on the Status Of Women Conference held at the UN Headquarters in New York, USA. Parinaz presented her journey in STEAM, Gender Inclusion in Technology and Unlocking the Potential of Girls in STEAM in a panel presentation. She currently volunteers her time on the FEZANA Ava Project where she led a Family Paint Event and created the Perpetual Haftseen Garden Brochure. She won the Naval Science award for creating a device to help people with aphasia communicate and won the Access Braille Award for creating a device for the blind. Parinaz won third place in the ok Biomimicry Youth Challenge where there were 125 submissions across 25 countries.
Rashna Vaghaiwalla
Rashna Vaghaiwalla is a dedicated high school student from Los Angeles, California with a strong academic record, demonstrated leadership, and a passion for service. She is an Eagle Scout who led a 200-hour project to create a symbolic community space for Safe Place for Youth, advocating unity and support for the unhoused. Rashna serves as an Honor Council Representative and Gold Ambassador at Marymount High School and is a Head Chair in Model UN, managing conferences and guiding student delegates. Her commitment to community extends to interning at UCLA’s Mattel Children’s Hospital Heart Transplant Unit, where she is currently developing resources for pediatric cardiology patients.
Zia Pochkhanawala
Zia is a second-year PhD in Curriculum and Instruction student at Baylor University, Texas. After completing her Master’s in Counselling in Australia, Zia taught Psychology and was a mental health counselor to students pursuing the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program at two United World Colleges, one in India, another in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and at Bombay International School, India. As a passionate advocate for equity and inclusiveness in education, especially in multicultural settings, Zia’s focus at the CSW69 conference will be on unpacking the nuances of intersectionality in education and addressing gender biases often pervasive in classrooms and educational leadership. LinkedIn Profile
Kaprece James
Kaprece, Founder and CEO of Stella’s Girls, Incorporated, is a transformative leader in international youth development and women’s leadership education. Her organization’s innovative approach has impacted over 8,000 young women and youth across Maryland, five African nations, and Japan through evidence-based programs in technology, leadership, and economic empowerment. As a speaker at CSW69, Kaprece brings valuable insights from her experience in developing cross-cultural mentorship programs and creating sustainable pathways for women’s advancement in STEAM and advocacy fields.
Milka Hailu Fantaye
Milka Hailu Fantaye is a software engineer with over four years of experience in user experience design and data analysis. She currently serves as a Technical Engagement Strategist with Stella’s Girls Inc., an organization based in Maryland that operates globally. Recognizing the lack of women in technology, Milka launched “TechHer” in October 2024, an initiative dedicated to empowering women to become leaders in the tech industry. Through workshops, mentorship programs, and networking events, TechHer fosters a supportive community where women can learn and grow. By equipping women with the knowledge and confidence they need, Milka is paving the way for a future where gender equality in technology is not just a dream but a reality.
Moderators:
Azade Aria
Azadé is a graduate student in the Human Rights and Social Justice program at TRU, originally from India. Her research spans gendered dynamics in the Indian justice system, Zoroastrian beliefs, and the resilience of female acid attack survivors in India. Her work with organizations like the National Association for the Blind, Make Love Not Scars, and Soroptimist International reflects her commitment to equity and inclusion. A Compassion and Resilience fellow with HH the Dalai Lama, Azadé continues her mission as an Intercultural Ambassador, fostering diverse perspectives for impactful social change.
Olivia Saint-Pierre
Olivia is a sophomore in high school in Waldorf, Maryland, and is recognized for her academic excellence, leadership abilities, and advocacy efforts. As a consistent Honor Roll student and recipient of the National Junior Honor Society Outstanding Achievement Award, Olivia has shown her dedication to her academics, particularly in Biomedical Health Sciences. At school, Olivia has shown her leadership skills at Maryland Association of Student Council Conferences for the past 3 years, presenting workshops and taking stances on youth-related bills from the Maryland General Assembly. Outside of school, Olivia is a devoted member of Stella’s Girls Inc., a mentorship program that empowers girls and young women to become leaders and social change agents in their communities. This program has granted her many opportunities such as being a representative for youth leadership events at the UN, speaking about the benefits of youth mentorship at MENTOR’s Capitol Hill day, and more. She plans to utilize these skills this summer at the Leadership Initiatives Advanced Medical and Public Health internship at Georgetown University, working with other high school students to develop extensive public health campaigns and diagnose a patient in Sub-Saharan Africa.
About United Nations
The United Nations is central to global efforts to solve problems that challenge humanity. Cooperating in this effort are more than 30 affiliated organizations, known together as the UN system. For more information, visit www.un.org
About the Commission on the Status of Women
The CSW is a global governmental body that is dedicated to the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women. This commission was established by the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in 1946. Every year, the CSW holds a conference in the winter for a two-week period where UN entities, Member States, and Civil Society discuss issues pertaining to women, girls and gender equality.
About FEZANA
Founded in 1987, FEZANA serves as the coordinating body for 27 Zoroastrian Associations throughout the United States and Canada. It is a non-governmental organization in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), and the Department of Global Communications (DGC) of the United Nations. FEZANA promotes the study, understanding and practice of the Zoroastrian faith in North America, represents the interest of its member associations, and carries out philanthropic and charitable activities worldwide. The FEZANA Journal, FEZANA’s publication of record, circulates to Zoroastrian households in more than 22 countries, as well as to scholars, academicians, and religious organizations worldwide. For more information, visit: www.fezana.org
About Stella’s Girls, Incorporated
Since 2016, Stella’s Girls has impacted over 1,500 young women through innovative mentoring, leadership, and STEAM programs across Maryland and five African nations. Their evidence-based approach, which includes signature programs like ‘Leaders Who Code’ and ‘The Sunflower Project,’ maintains a remarkable 70% alumni success rate. With 80 active mentors and a commitment to addressing critical issues from digital literacy to period poverty, Stella’s Girls exemplifies the transformative power of grassroots action in advancing gender equality. Their participation in CSW69 as a non-governmental organization in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), a member of the Working Group for Girls UN Committee and Generation Equality under the United Nations showcases how local initiatives can create global impact, particularly in preparing young women from marginalized communities to become tomorrow’s leaders in technology and social change.”More info: https://www.stellasgirls.org/
Contact:
Afreed Mistry
United Nations Main Representative, FEZANA
Email: Afreed@fezana.org
Phone: +1-416-302-9754
Kaprece James
Founder and CEO, Stella’s Girls, Incorporated
Email: kaprece@stellasgirls.org
Phone: +1-240-660-0846
