Zeinab Chaichi was born and grew up in Tehran and finished her BFA (Bachelors In Painting) and MFA (Masters in illustration) at University of Art, Tehran. She has experience of working as teacher, illustrator and designer at preschools, elementary schools as well as College level. In 2009 she moved to the United States to pursue her profession as an artist and attended the MFA program at University of Missouri, working primarily in fibers, painting, and drawing. During her school years and after her graduation she worked as a freelance artist, illustrator and designer as well as teacher and Gallery assistant. As an artist she explores themes of women’s rights, gender, tradition, and religion. Her work traces the intricacy of how identity is woven along these dimensions. She transgresses the norms and rules of religion and traditional cultures to mine issues such as the psychological and emotional conditions of objectified women and the violation of women’s rights. In summer 2022 She moved to Boston along with her family and started working with Bagche. She collaborates with Bagche team as teacher, illustrator and educational material designer. As her hobby she illustrates and designs imagery to print on merchandise for different Persian and American celebrations such as Nowruz and NewYear. In her free time She loves learning about Arts, psychology, music and new languages. She also spends lots of time playing and discovering nature along with her husband and two little sons.

Parvaneh is a highly dedicated professional with a Bachelor’s degree in Education, specializing in Elementary Education. With an impressive tenure of 30 years as an elementary teacher in Iran, she has amassed extensive experience in the field of education. In 2022, Parvaneh made the decision to join Bagche, bringing her wealth of knowledge and passion for teaching to the organization. Her expertise in elementary education, coupled with her years of experience, enables her to create a nurturing and effective learning environment for students. Parvaneh’s commitment to education and her dedication to fostering the intellectual and personal growth of her students make her an invaluable asset to the Bagche teaching team.

Camelia is a talented individual who holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting. Her passion for dance ignited at the age of 15 when she embarked on a journey exploring ballet and classical Persian dance. With her extensive experience, she excelled as a dance instructor for both children and adults. Notably, Camelia takes great pride in being the founder of an esteemed academic dance company called “Namava.” Her artistic pursuits have taken her on a global adventure, where she has seamlessly integrated diverse forms of European and Asian dance into her work. Since 2020, Camelia has been collaborating with Bagche for Music, Art, and Language, contributing her diverse talents to the vibrant creative community. With her dedication, cultural appreciation, and commitment to education, Camelia continues to make a meaningful impact in sharing her art and heritage with others.

Niloufar Keyhani holds a Bachelor of Arts in Painting from Azad University of Tehran (2009). She has been selected for the Boston Center for the Arts (BCA) studio residency program (2021). She has been in 2 solo shows and almost 25 group exhibitions in Iran, Italy, Lebanon, the USA and Croatia. She was an Artist-in-Residence at Scuola Internazionale di Grafica di Venezia, Italy (2013). In 2018, she was the recipient of the Boston Cultural Council Opportunity Fund Grant and Opportunity Fund from the “UBCF.” Niloufar joined Bagche in 2019 teaching Farsi, art and illustration to different age groups, leading Bagche art exhibitions at Bagche cultural events.

Nasrin is a passionate advocate for gender equality, women’s rights, and human rights, with a strong focus on education. Born and raised in Tehran, Iran, and having spent her formative years in both Tehran and Mashhad, Nasrin developed a deep appreciation for her cultural heritage and a desire to make a positive impact in society. Armed with a Bachelor’s degree in Atomic-Molecular Physics from the prestigious Iran University of Science and Technology, she initially pursued a career as a physics teacher, sharing her knowledge and inspiring young minds. However, her insatiable hunger for social change led her to pursue a Master’s degree in Women’s Studies from the University of Tehran. With a newfound expertise in gender and sexuality, Nasrin embarked on a path of activism, working with influential platforms like Zanan magazine and later the Iran Welfare Organization. Alongside her specialized knowledge in gender and women’s rights, she also finds immense joy and fulfillment in teaching Farsi to kids, a vital way of preserving cultural heritage and empowering future generations. Nasrin’s multifaceted background and unwavering commitment to education and human rights make her a dedicated and influential advocate in the pursuit of a more equitable society.

Amir Tabatabai is an illustrator. He considers his art to be the result of his lived experiences of living in Iranian society and culture and the conditions after emigrating to the United States at the age of forty. He is currently working on his projects Utopia and Dystopia, as well as a collection of works based on the epic poetry of Attar’s Conference Of The Birds and The Phoenix. Amir joined Bagche in 2019 teaching Farsi, art and illustration to different age groups, leading art exhibitions at Bagche cultural events.

Shida Raqayi is the founder and CEO of Avavistai Spadana Company, based in Isfahan, with a mission of entrepreneurship, export development, and empowering women. Currently residing in Boston, she is also a member of the Education Committee at Baghcheh, focusing on instructional design, curriculum structure, and control. Shida has completed her studies in the fields of Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Electrical and Electronics Engineering, with a specialization in Marketing for her Master of Business Administration (MBA), and a specialization in Strategic Management for her Doctor of Business Administration (DBA).

Fatemeh Dousti is an accomplished professional serving as the Associate Director of Finance at Bagche. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Insurance Management and a Master's degree in Business Administration. Currently, Fatemeh is further enhancing her expertise by pursuing studies in Enterprise Risk Management at Boston University. With over a decade of experience as a risk manager in the insurance industry, she brings a wealth of knowledge and practical skills to her role. Fatemeh has worked extensively in diverse sectors, including petroleum, transport, construction, and manufacturing. Her expertise and hands-on experience make her a valuable asset to Bagche's financial team.

Business and Data Analyst | Farsi Language Enthusiast | Community Volunteer Mahdieh Reese holds a Master's degree in Business Analytics from the University of Massachusetts Boston, complementing her Bachelor's degree in Physics from the Science and Research University in Tehran. With a strong background in analytics, Mahdieh has enjoyed a successful career as a Business and Data Analyst. Beyond her professional life, she's passionate about preserving her native language, Farsi, and volunteers her time to help children excel in their Farsi language studies. Mahdieh's commitment to lifelong learning and community service makes her a valued member of our school community, inspiring others through her dedication to education and cultural preservation.