Executive director at Arboretum Coffee
27 Years Old • Fort Collins
Tell us about yourself, your history and how you came to be where you are now.
I’m half Iranian, though I didn’t grow up in that culture. My heart for immigrants came alive during the 2015-16 refugee crisis. I remember seeing people crossing the Mediterranean and thinking, “these are my people.” I’ve always cared about places of home and family, especially for those who’ve lost theirs, myself included. Coffee shops always felt like that, and I had a dream of starting one. Then I discovered social enterprises, and everything clicked. In 2022, we started getting more immigrants in Fort Collins than ever, and it became clear that we needed something like Arboretum Coffee. So, in 2023, I took the leap.
Explain your career, achievements and professional highlights.
I’m the founder and executive director of Arboretum Coffee, a nonprofit coffee shop providing paid job training, mentorship and life skills classes to immigrants. We’ve supported 15 incredible individuals, and I am so honored to be part of their stories. Previously, I worked as a resource navigator for families in crisis. I’ve also held trauma-informed volunteer roles, like serving as a crisis counselor with the Crisis Text Line. My experience with Genesis Coffee, a job training cafe, gave me firsthand insight into workforce development. I hold a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Colorado State University and a master’s degree in humanitarian and disaster leadership from Wheaton College.
In what ways do you give back to the community?
I create space for immigrants and refugees to find a sense of belonging, stability and opportunity through Arboretum Coffee’s apprenticeship and mentorship programs. I also love supporting other nonprofits and attend their galas, cheer on their work and build relationships that strengthen our collective impact. Whether it’s by partnering on projects or simply showing up, I believe giving back is about mutual care. Fort Collins is full of amazing people doing good work, and it’s an honor to grow alongside them.
What do you consider the biggest accomplishment or challenge you’ve overcome, either professionally or personally?
My biggest accomplishment is building Arboretum Coffee from the ground up with Jeremy. Starting a nonprofit social enterprise is no joke. There’s no roadmap—just a vision, grit and a lot of tears. Being awarded a grant from the Bohemian Foundation for this was incredibly affirming. On a personal level, one of my greatest challenges was losing my mom to breast cancer in 2023. The journey of grieving taught me what it means to keep showing up.
Tell us something unique about you.
I self-published a book of poetry, called “The Daughter and the Hound,” and I was almost a film major. That would’ve been a very different life. Also, my personal assistant is a cat (she sits on the keyboard and purrs, showing off on Zoom calls—very helpful).
Where do you see yourself in five years? In 10 years?
In five years, I see myself continuing to grow Arboretum Coffee by opening new locations, creating more leadership pathways for immigrants and cultivating a deeply welcoming community. But that’s one side of life. On the other, I’ll be wandering around the world with Jeremy on race adventures, hopefully with a young human or two in hand. In 10 years, who knows? I’m up for another adventure.
What piece(s) of advice would you give to your younger self?
You don’t have to have it all figured out. The path won’t be what you expect. Let go of your expectations, and don’t lose yourself in the chaos. Every hardship and unexpected turn is shaping you into the kind of leader who listens well, leads with heart and creates space for others. Trust your gut, lean on others and don’t be afraid to take up space.
What unique challenges do you face running a nonprofit that doubles as a coffee shop?
One of the biggest challenges is holding space for two very different rhythms under one roof. On one hand, we’re operating a specialty coffee shop, which is fast-paced, customer-facing and margin-tight. On the other, we’re running a trauma-informed apprenticeship program, where people are learning not just how to make a latte, but how to trust themselves, navigate a new culture and heal from what they’ve been through. Our apprentices are often balancing multiple stressors outside of work, such as housing insecurity, legal uncertainty and family separation, while trying to memorize drink recipes and adapt to a new workplace culture. We don’t get to compartmentalize those realities. The other biggest challenge is financial. We’re running a full-service specialty coffee shop—with all the overhead, staffing and supply chain demands that come with food service—but we’re also a nonprofit with a mission that doesn’t generate profit. Our goal isn’t just to sell coffee. It’s to craft futures with and for immigrants, which means longer training timelines, more support staff and paid hours that prioritize growth over efficiency. Our model relies on both coffee sales and outside funding to be sustainable. Apprentice wages alone represent a major investment, and because we’re committed to paying people during training (not just after they’re “useful”), we’re constantly fundraising to fill the gap between what our cafe earns and what our mission requires.
How do you help immigrants navigate the current political climate?
We create a space of safety, dignity and joy in the middle of uncertainty. Our apprentices often arrive carrying fear, not just from what they’ve fled, but from what they’re stepping into. We support them by connecting them with legal aid, cultural orientation, mental health care and a trusted community network. Just as importantly, we center their voices, celebrate their stories and remind them every day that they belong here and that their presence matters. In a political climate that can be dehumanizing, we counter it with hospitality and systems that help people move forward with hope.
Local business shoutout:
I have too many favorites to name, but a few spots hold extra special memories. The Welsh Rabbit Cheese Shop, Sunset Lounge, The Regional and Wolverine Farm Publick House are some of our most cherished places for date nights, slow conversations and gatherings with friends. Each of these local gems creates the kind of atmosphere I love: thoughtful, welcoming and rooted in community.
