TEDxLitte lran Women

Speakers

Speakers may not be confirmed. Check the event website for the latest lineup.

• Farkhunda Muhtaj

  Professional Footballer and Social Activist

  Farkhunda is the co-founder of Scarborough Simbas, a non-profit organization that uses sport to help ease the settlement journey of refugees and newcomers to Canada. Farkhunda Captained the Afghanistan Women’s National Team and in 2021, after the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan, she helped lead the evacuation of more than 300 Afghans, including the Afghanistan Youth National Team. Her role in this mission was featured in We Are Ayenda, a Cannes Lions Grand Prix–winning documentary presented by WhatsApp. She is an ambassador for Right To Play Canada and a supporter of UNHCR Canada. She has served on many committees including the Canadian Child Rights in Sport Advisory Committee, Canada Soccer's Women's Development Advisory Committee, and the FIFA World Cup 2026 Toronto Sport, Physical Activity, Health & Wellness Program Advisory Body. Farkhunda holds two degrees from York University: a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and Health Science and a Bachelor of Education.

• Ghazaleh Masoodi

  Social Worker & Educator

  Ghazaleh Masoodi is a social worker and educator with 20 years of experience supporting children and adolescents, empowering families, and promoting mental health. Her work focuses on child protection, the prevention of child abuse and sexual abuse, sexual health education, self-care, life skills, and positive parenting. She has worked with children, families, educators, and professionals and has contributed as a consultant to UNICEF projects focused on child protection. Her personal experience with Bell’s palsy and her journey toward self-acceptance have shaped her commitment to supporting the psychological and social well-being of individuals and families living with physical differences and disabilities, including parents navigating the challenges of raising children with disabilities, illness or physical differences.

• MARYAM PIRBAND

  Writer • Director • Producer • Actress

  Maryam Pirband is an internationally acclaimed filmmaker, writer, and producer with a two-decade career spanning North America, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America. Her films, TV series, documentaries, and international productions have earned 40+ awards and recognition across the global festival circuit. Iran’s first female professional stunt performer and first and only female action director, she writes and directs action and horror features internationally, including Spanish-language productions. Her work champions women’s voices, human rights, identity, and resilience. A festival jury president, international juror, selection committee member, and author of two books, Pirband holds a master’s degree in Screenwriting from Azusa Pacific University and is a Ph.D. candidate in Philosophy, Art & Critical Thought in Switzerland.

• Naghmeh Afshinjah

  is an Iranian-Canadian visual artist, painter, graphic designer, illustrator, writer, and art educator.

  Naghmeh Afshinjah is an Iranian-Canadian visual artist, painter, graphic designer, illustrator, writer, and art educator. She brought art into social action, earning recognition from the National Ethnic Press and Media Council of Canada for defending freedom and women’s and human rights in Iran. For her, standing firm is deeply personal. When reports and assessments narrowed the future of her nonspeaking autistic son, Matin, she refused to accept them as the final word on his life. She mobilized her life around finding a path to communication. Matin worked to express himself: pointing to letters, he shared his thoughts, spoke of his dreams, and composed poetry. The young man others spoke about now had something to say himself. Naghmeh sees this achievement as the beginning of a larger mission. She advocates for nonspeaking people’s right to communicate, with one clear demand: no one should have to wait a lifetime to prove they have something to say.

• Shirin Shafiei Ebrahimi

  University Professor

  Dr. Shirin Shafiei Ebrahimi is a Professor of Education, researcher, and public speaker dedicated to advancing teaching and learning through innovation and technology. With extensive international experience in higher education, she specializes in educational technology, technology-enhanced learning, mobile-assisted language learning, and AI-supported pedagogies. Her interdisciplinary research explores the meaningful and ethical integration of mobile applications and artificial intelligence into education to enhance learner engagement, autonomy, and skill development. Drawing on theoretical and empirical research, she advocates for innovative, student-centered approaches to education. Dr. Ebrahimi is committed to transformative research, academic excellence, and shaping conversations about the future of education in a rapidly evolving technological world.

• Zhaleh Sadeghian

  Radio and TV Host, Purchase Coordinator

  A veteran radio and television presenter, she began her broadcasting career at age five on Iran’s national radio as a child actor and announcer. After earning her degree in Communications and Journalism from Allameh Tabataba’i University in 1988, she returned to broadcasting and went on to host numerous live radio and television programs focused on poetry, literature, music, and culture. Her career includes narrating major musical and poetic productions, collaborating with renowned musicians and orchestras, and hosting hundreds of stage programs, festivals, seminars, and cultural events across Iran. She has received several awards for broadcasting and presenting. Since immigrating to Canada, she has created and hosted the podcast *She’r o Shekar* on Apple Podcasts. She currently lives in Toronto.