Azadeh Afsahi

Founder and President

Azadeh Afsahi is a psychotherapist, international speaker, and founder of Iran House, a program under Houses Inc., dedicated to building healing homes and trauma-informed safe spaces for survivors of political violence. Drawing on her clinical expertise and frontline advocacy, Azadeh works directly with individuals who have been targeted for their beliefs or activism, supporting survivors as they rebuild their lives with dignity and hope.

A United Nations speaker, Azadeh brings a rare intersection of mental health, human rights, and lived experience to global conversations on trauma, resilience, and justice. Her work centers on transforming trauma into empowerment- advocating not only for immediate protection and psychological care, but for long-term pathways toward healing and human dignity.

Beyond her professional work, Azadeh is a mother of three who loves being at home, cooking, hosting, spending time with friends, and embracing adventure.

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“For every exhumed skeleton, there is a still-beating but broken heart; and all of them, the dead and the living, deserve respect and justice.”

— Dr. Reicherter

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Mahshid Nazemi

Director of Communication

Mahshid Nazemi is a committed human rights advocate and political refugee whose lived experience deeply informs her work. Forced to flee her home due to political pressure, her journey has strengthened her resolve to fight for freedom, justice, and the protection of fundamental rights.Her work focuses on supporting refugees, survivors of violence, and justice seekers. With unwavering dedication, she amplifies the voices of the oppressed and advocates for individuals facing repression and systemic violations.

Her activism and personal story were recently featured in Le Monde, highlighting her advocacy and resilience.At Iran House, Mahshid plays a key role in shaping communications that elevate survivor voices and advance the organization’s mission to provide healing, dignity, and belonging.

Arezou Ghasemi

Trauma-Informed Clinical Psychologist

Arezou Ghasemi is a clinical psychologist with a doctorate in psychology and specialized training in CBT, ACT, and Metacognitive Therapy. Her practice centers on trauma recovery, emotional regulation, and healing—particularly among women impacted by violence and children navigating serious health challenges.

With years of experience in diverse clinical settings, Arezou Ghasemi has provided one-on-one therapy, collaborated within multidisciplinary teams, and supported survivors in safe house environments. She is also an active contributor to suicide prevention initiatives and community-based mental health education.

Grounded in evidence-based approaches and guided by compassion, Arezou Ghasemi is dedicated to helping individuals reclaim their lives with resilience, clarity, and hope.

Nikta Razavi

Director of Development & Finance

Nikta is an Iranian-Canadian educator, mother of three, and human rights advocate. She holds a PhD in Education, with academic research focused on classroom discourse and how antiracist pedagogies enhance learning for multilingual students.

Deeply committed to advancing human rights—particularly for Iran—Nikta has organized major educational panel events in Vancouver centered on the Woman, Life, Freedom movement, bringing together scholars, activists, and community members to foster dialogue, awareness, and engagement around justice and human rights. She has registered a charity in Canada, Artivism 4 Iran, in order to support protest art in harnessing the transformative power of creative expression and activism. As well, she has developed a series of teaching material on the subject of gender apartheid in Iran within the context of social justice themes, aligning with the Canadian social studies curriculum.

At Iran House, Nikta serves as Director of Development & Finance, where she supports the organization’s sustainability and growth through responsible financial stewardship, partnership development, and strategic initiatives that strengthen the impact of Iran House.

Mahshid Hadi

Artistic Director

Mahshid Hadi serves as the Artistic Director at Iran House, where she brings together her experience as an Emergency Medical Responder, aspiring firefighter, and human rights advocate to shape creative strategies for healing and social change. Her personal journey as a refugee in Turkey informs her deep commitment to restoring hope, dignity, and belonging for survivors of trauma and political violence.

At Iran House, Mahshid leads artistic initiatives that use creativity as a pathway for healing and storytelling. Through survivor-centered projects, she helps amplify voices that are often silenced, fostering resilience, visibility, and collective memory. By bridging humanitarian care with artistic expression, she contributes to building a sanctuary where recovery, dignity, and justice can begin.

Ally Kia

Director of Medical Services & Education

Ally Kia is a Clinical Pharmacist with over a decade of experience providing compassionate, patient-centered care across diverse settings. Trained in Sweden and licensed in both Sweden and the United States, she brings a global perspective to medication safety and interdisciplinary care, with deep experience supporting vulnerable populations. Her expertise includes complex medication management, psychotropic care, IV and chemotherapy compounding, and alcohol and opioid withdrawal support-always grounded in evidence-based, humane treatment.

At Iran House, Ally leads Pharmacology, Education, and Awareness initiatives, providing medication guidance, mental health advocacy, and one-on-one consultations. Driven by empathy and service, she is passionate about helping others heal and regain stability.

Outside of work, Ally enjoys reading, photography, travel, and spending time in nature.

“Healing begins with safety, respect, and the power of being heard.”