Today we’d like to introduce you to Donya Ziraksari.
Hi Donya, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Tehran to Triumph: A Journey of Resilience, Purpose, and Human Rights Advocacy
I was born and raised in Tehran, Iran, where I faced systemic discrimination as a member of a persecuted religious minority, Bahá’í. My lifelong dream of studying physics and astronomy was denied because of my belief and I was rejected to enter any University in Iran. Soon after my dream of becoming an astronomer was crushed, my family and I fled Iran and sought refuge in Turkey, where we lived for 15 months in uncertainty while waiting for resettlement in the U.S. Those months shaped my resilience, strengthened my empathy, and deepened my belief that education and equality are basic human rights, not privileges.
When I arrived in the United States, I started from scratch; learning English, adapting to a new culture, and pursuing higher education. I earned my degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of New Mexico, where I researched renewable energy and sustainable technologies. My passion for sustainability grew from the understanding that access to clean and reliable energy is not just an engineering problem, but a human rights issue.
After graduation, I entered the oil and gas industry, often as the only woman in the entire project management department. I faced bias, unequal pay, and doubt, yet these experiences fueled my advocacy for women in Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). I initiated conversations about gender equality, built internal support groups, and became a voice for women who were often overlooked. I later transitioned into the renewable energy, consulting and now to the tech sector serving as a Technical Program Manager at Microsoft, where I manage data center projects in a couple of U.S. regions and ensure that sustainability, ethics, and innovation progress hand in hand.
Outside my engineering work, I am also a filmmaker and author. My short film, “The Ticket,” which has won several international awards for its message and impact, tells the story of a young Iranian girl denied the right to education because of her faith. A story inspired by my own journey. Creating that film was more than storytelling; it was healing. It was proof that pain can be transformed into purpose.
My memoir, “Tehran to Miami,” published in 2021, reveals the untold stories of women and religious minorities in post-revolution Iran. Through it, I aim to educate Western audiences about Persian culture and the struggles of refugees and women under oppression after the 1979’s revolution.
In 2023, I founded Equal Human Rights, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing equality and amplifying the voices of women and marginalized communities. Since its inception, Equal Human Rights and I have received several Congressional recognitions, and I was honored as one of the Most Influential Women in Houston by the U.S. Congress, the State of Texas, and the City of Houston on International Women’s Day 2024. Through Equal Human Rights Organization we have organized public events and dialogs on various Human Rights topics and even awarded over $9,000 in scholarships to high school and college students pursuing STEM education in U.S in 2025 and currently working on awarding $10,000 in STEM and Human Rights Internships in 2026.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road has been far from easy, but I have learned that challenges are often the sharpest tools for growth. Every setback has refined my purpose and strengthened my determination to lead with empathy and integrity. There were moments when doors closed without reason, when my expertise was questioned simply because my perspective was different. But those moments taught me the value of persistence, self-worth, and the quiet power of staying true to your mission even when validation does not come right away.
When I first arrived in the United States as a refugee, I knew very little English, I did not understand the culture, and I had no idea how to navigate this new life. Starting over from nothing was overwhelming, but it also gave me a blank canvas to rebuild with intention. I had fled Iran as a teenager after being denied the right to higher education because of my faith. I needed to find my purpose in this new land called “land of opportunities” and see where I fit in this American Dream.
After entering the workforce, I often found myself to be the only woman in the entire organization, and sometimes the only woman in the meeting rooms. I witnessed firsthand how women were underestimated, given less challenging work, and paid less for the same roles. But rather than letting that break me, I used it to fuel my advocacy. I started corporate internal organizations, led open dialogues, and worked to create equality between men and women in technical fields. There were times I was passed over for promotions simply because of my gender, but every “no” became motivation to build something greater. In 2020, I started an organization through University of New Mexico School of Engineering called Advisory Council for Engineering Development (ACED) To provide practical work experience for the students and professionals across the globe through soft and technical skills training. This fueled my passion for education and reaching out to a boarder community.
Houston later became the place that gave me the chance to advocate more impactfully. When the Woman Life Freedom Revolution broke out in September 2022 after the death of Mahsa Amini by the hands of Islamic Republic regime of Iran, I was deeply shaken, not only as a woman but as an Iranian. Houston welcomed me with open arms. People from all backgrounds came together to support women, the movement for freedom and human rights. It reminded me that compassion transcends borders and that humanity, when united, has real power. What inspired me most during that time was seeing women and men across the world; whether in New York, Syria, or Houston, standing with the women of Iran. It was no longer an Iranian movement; it was a human movement.
During the Woman Life Freedom revolution, I found my voice once more, this time as an activist and advocate for global human rights. I was invited to speak on local and national media, giving interviews, writing speeches, conversing with politicians, and staying up countless nights to bring international attention to human rights violations in Iran and across the Middle East. I spoke about the persecution of women, religious minorities, and even young girls in Afghanistan and Iraq. I still advocate for Human Rights in Houston, Texas and beyond.
In my professional and humanitarian journey alike, I have faced cultural and organizational barriers that forced me to develop resilience not just as a survival skill but as a leadership philosophy. I have learned that progress rarely happens in a straight line, it is a process of showing up every day, doing the work, and leading by example even when it feels like no one is watching.
Today, whether I am leading complex engineering programs or driving advocacy campaigns, my focus is on creating systems that empower people and foster accountability. I specialize in transforming challenges into structured opportunities—helping teams find clarity, direction, and motivation even in uncertainty. My life is living proof that strength and compassion can coexist, and that resilience, when rooted in purpose, can build bridges between humanity and hope.
What sets me apart from many activists is that I advocate for Human Rights and not just women and refugee rights. I have advocated for victims of human trafficking in collaboration with the Houston Police Department, worked hand in hand with the city councils, mayor office, congress and community leaders from other religions, celebrating the most important attribute we share, being a human. I also merge technical expertise with human empathy—bridging the gap between engineering, sustainability, and human rights. I do not just advocate for change; I work to design and manage it responsibly. I believe sustainability, ethics, and equality should be built into every project’s foundation—not treated as afterthoughts.
What I am most proud of is that I have turned every challenge, displacement, discrimination, and doubt into purpose. My journey from refugee to engineer, filmmaker, author, and human rights advocate reflect the power of resilience and the belief that compassion and innovation together can shape a more equitable future.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
Over the course of my journey, from being a refugee fleeing persecution to becoming an engineer, filmmaker, author, and human rights advocate, I have learned that the most powerful force in the world is not technology, status, or even resilience. It is love.
When I first arrived in the United States nearly 19 years ago, I had no idea what to expect. I did not know the language, the culture, or how to navigate life in a new country. But I quickly discovered that people are people, no matter their color, religion, or background. Deep down, we all want the same things: to be seen, to be heard, to be loved, and to feel equal.
Living in the U.S. taught me that love is the medicine, love is the power, and love is enough. I have seen how food can bring people together who might otherwise never connect. I have seen how a shared meal, a conversation, or even a smile can bridge worlds that politics and prejudice try to divide. And through my work with refugees and being one, I have learned that their most basic human need is not money or shelter; it is to be seen. To be recognized as a human, with dignity and dreams like everyone else.
Throughout my activism and human rights work, I have also learned that genuine change starts with us. It starts with the courage to speak, to listen, and to support one another through the hardest moments. I have seen firsthand that when communities come together, when people make time for one another and choose to love unconditionally, transformation happens.
I have also learned that politicians and community leaders do take notice of human rights advocates who act with authenticity and persistence. I have been honored to receive recognition from Congress, the State of Texas, and the City of Houston, but the greatest validation has come from seeing compassion ripple outward. Reporters, journalists, and everyday citizens care deeply about stories that touch the heart and remind us of our shared humanity.
The lesson that ties it all together is simple yet profound: love heals, connection transforms, and change begins at the human level. Titles, awards, and achievements fade, but the impact we make through love, kindness and courage endures.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.equalhumanrights.org
- Instagram: @Donyaziraksari
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donya-ziraksari-pmp/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@donyaziraksari
- Other: https://www.donyaziraksari.com
Image Credits
Allen B Winston at winstonfoto.com
