Nazie Eftekhari

Nazie Eftekhari
Nationality American
Occupation Founder, chair and chief executive officer of HealthEZ
Known for Business and political activism

Nazie Eftekhari is an Iranian-American and founder and principal architect of HealthEZ and founder of The Araz Group, the first preferred provider organization in the country.[1] She is a speaker, philanthropist, human rights activist, and nationally-recognized expert and innovator in health plan delivery.[1] Her background includes over 30 years of health care experience focusing on networks, self-insured employers and technology development and implementation, as well as business experience building start-ups and managing operations.[1] Eftekhari is a graduate of the London School of Economics, Master's in International Relations from University of Southern California and also holds a Master's degree in Healthcare Administration from the University of Minnesota.[1]

Honorifics and Awards

Passionate about human rights, Ms. Eftekhari established the Foundation for the Children of Iran (FCI), the nation’s first nonprofit established by an Iranian-American after the Iranian Revolution of 1979. An organization dear to her heart, FCI has been dedicated since 1991 to enabling indigent children from Iran or of Iranian origin to receive healthcare services in the United States that are not available to them in Iran.[2] Eftekhari is a board member of the Nonviolent Initiative for Democracy, Inc. (NID) and the Iranian American Political Action Committee (IAPAC).[1] She was previously a board member of the Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian Americans (PAAIA).[1] She serves on the Board of Overseers of the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management as well as the Speaker's Cabinet Leadership Circle.[1]

Eftekhari most recently received the 2011 International Immigrant Achievement Award from The International Leadership Institute.[1] In 2009, she was chosen Woman of the Year by the Bloomington Chamber of Commerce,[3] and in 2004, the Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal named her one of the Twin Cities' Women Changemakers.[1] In 1995, Eftekhari was named Small Business Person of the Year. Amongst her other awards are the Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights Award, the Woman of Distinction Award,[1] and the 2011 International Immigrant Achievement Citizen Award.[4]

Political Activism

Eftekhari serves on the board of We Choose, the organizing committee of the 2013 Iranian Virtual Elections.[5][6] Ms. Eftekhari also serves on the board of the University of Minnesota Medical School, Carlson School of Management (University of Minnesota) and the Walker Art Center.[1] She is also on the board of The Iranian American Political Action Committee (IAPAC), the Directors Board of the Nonviolent Initiative for Democracy (NID), is a founding member of the Yalda Network: Mothers and Others for Iran.[1] She interviews frequently on the Voice of America Persian News Network and previously served on the Board of Directors of the Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian Americans.[7]She is friends with Nancy Pelosi.[8]

Relationship with Pahlavi Family and Iran Activism

Eftekhari grew up in Iran[9] and has been politically active on issues concerning Iran and has close relations with Reza Pahlavi, the son of the late Shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi.[10] A close family friend of the Pahlavis,[10] Eftekhari founded The Foundation for the Children of Iran with cousin, Yasmine Pahlavi, Reza Pahlavi's wife.[11] She is a major donor to the Prince Alireza Pahlavi Foundation.[12]

References and Notes

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 HealthEZ Biography
  2. ↑ Loftus, Meghan (February 23, 2009). "Foundation Brings Sick Iranian Children to U.S. for Care". IIP Digital.
  3. ↑ "Healthcare Innovator Nazie Eftekhari Named Woman of the Year". Business Wire. June 10, 2009.
  4. ↑ Bode, Tim (May 7, 2011). "http://www.prweb.com/releases/2011/5/prweb8395205.htm". PRWeb. External link in |title= (help)
  5. ↑ Kangarlou, Tara (June 11, 2013). "Virtual Freedom: Cyberspace Helps Iranians Raise their Voice". CNN.
  6. ↑ Recknagel, Charles (June 10, 2013). "Virtual Election Gives Iranians Change to Vote for Unofficial Candidates". Payvand Iran News.
  7. ↑ PAAIA Biography
  8. ↑ Mafinezam, Alidad (September 21, 2011). "The Iranian Diaspora Comes of Age". Frontline. PBS.
  9. ↑ Sidman, Fern (October 11, 2011). "NY Experts Warn, 'Don't Attack Iran'". Israel National News.
  10. 1 2 "Shah of Iran's son Alireza Pahlavi found dead at US home". The Guardian. AP. January 5, 2011.
  11. ↑ FFCI Biography
  12. ↑ Prince Alireza Pahlavi Foundation Donation List
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