Before PHI, Donya worked in healthcare and educational settings leading language programs to empower asylum-seeking women and developing health education for Afghan refugees. Her extensive work with underserved populations has provided a nuanced perspective on barriers hindering access to essential services. Donya’s first-generation Iranian American identity profoundly influences her understanding of cultural sensitivity among refugees and immigrants, fostering a strong commitment to advocating for marginalized communities. Donya received her Master of Public Health from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and her Bachelor of Arts in Biology and Modern Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Pennsylvania. She is fluent in Farsi and Spanish.