In September 1997 at the age of 10, my family and I migrated to Adelaide, Australia from Iran. During my secondary school studies, I represented Australia internationally in the martial art of Taekwondo. After school I went on to study at the UniSA School of Art, Architecture and Design, located on Hindley Street. During my secondary school and university studies, I worked at Najjars Cafe (now Piccoli Piatti) on the corner of O’Connell Street and Ward Street. I’m still a regular patron of O’Connell Street and North Adelaide Village.

After my university studies I worked for a number of design and construction firms before establishing and operating my own firm for a couple of years. Since early 2017 I’ve been working as a project manager for a state government agency, with a focus on improving social housing.

I’m also involved in the domestic violence and gender equality sectors. Since my mother’s public death at the Adelaide Convention Centre in 2010 at the hands of my father, I have been advocating for better policies and legislation to protect victims of violent crimes. I work with schools, sporting clubs and the corporate sector to raise funds and awareness throughout the community on this issue.

I'm proud and fortunate to have had my advocacy work in the social justice sector acknowledged:

• 2015 Allan Sloan Young Citizen Award

• 2016 SA Young Australian of the Year

• 2017 Young Citizen of the Year

• 2018 Order of Australia Medal (OAM)

• 2019 InDaily 40 Under 40 Finalist

Alongside my sisters, I am a co-founder of Zahra Foundation Australia, a registered charity that provides financial opportunities to women affected by domestic and family violence. I’m a former ambassador for the White Ribbon campaign, former board director for the Australia Day Council of South Australia and an ambassador for Our Watch Australia.