I have dedicated my state government career to helping vulnerable Vermonters and am honored to be appointed to serve in the House of Representatives serving Chittenden 8-1 (Essex).

I live in Essex with my multi-national, multi-racial family and our dog Tilly. Our daughter is receiving a great education at Essex Middle School and we love all the services that we receive in this great community. I immigrated from Iran and moved to the states in the mid-80s and my husband is Italian and immigrated from Canada.

I grew up in southern California and was raised by a single mother who had to work multiple jobs to make ends meet. I first met my husband while I was living and working in New Jersey and moved to Vermont in 2005 and I have fallen in love with the beauty and sense of community I have found here in Vermont.

I am dedicated to:

• helping grow the economy in Essex,
• working on solutions to help make Vermont more affordable,
• continuing my efforts of protecting the most vulnerable Vermonters.

I have been a volunteer and organizer in Essex for over a decade, working in various capacities to promote equity and inclusion in, as well as around, Essex. I have put my skills of collaboration, leadership, and problem solving to use in my community by working on various campaigns and engaging with advocacy work that prioritizes free and appropriate public education, racial equity, and social justice. I know that many of our community members struggle with access to affordable housing, high health care costs, and earning a living wage, and will work hard on behalf of Essex residents to address these challenges in Montpelier.

I have a deep understanding of state government and understand the impact of affordable high-quality childcare, affordable housing, and demographic growth on Vermont’s economy. As a fierce advocate for equity and inclusion, I also understand that efforts to create a welcoming and inclusive state for all will have a direct impact on the economic development in Vermont. I am excited to work with my colleagues in the statehouse to ensure we bring an equity lens to our work.

I earned my bachelor’s degree in business management from Champlain College, as an adult while working and raising my daughter. I also earned certificates in trauma-informed practice, as well as Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace.

I believe that my long career as a public servant, my lived experience, and my deep understanding of state government will give me the perspective needed to work hard on behalf of working families in Essex. I am honored to have the opportunity to serve as your representative and will commit to bringing my experiences and skills of problem-solving and collaboration to my work in Montpelier. I also promise to listen to diverse perspectives, have an open mind, be a thoughtful and informed decision-maker and be transparent and responsive.