President and CFO @ Mirro
2023 – Present
- I co-founded Mirro, a trailblazing social fashion platform to redefine fashion discovery. I spearhead the strategic direction, product design and development, product vision, and financial management of the company. My role encompasses not only overseeing the development of our app and conducting market research but also managing the financial strategies that ensure fiscal health and scalability. This includes budgeting, financial forecasting, and securing funding to support growth. I actively lead marketing and user acquisition efforts, leveraging innovative strategies to build brand presence and attract early adopters. By integrating continuous user feedback, I ensure Mirro evolves to meet market demands, delivering a valuable and seamless experience for our target audience.
Early-Stage Angel Investor @ Stealth
2022 – Present
- I leverage my expertise to identify and invest in early-stage startups across various industries. This allows me to provide both capital and strategic guidance to innovative companies poised for significant growth.
Founder & CEO @ Krypton
2022 – 2023
- I launched a dynamic social investing platform designed to democratize access to expert financial insights, primarily for crypto enthusiasts. I led the product strategy and technology development, ensuring the platform catered effectively to the needs of modern investors. My efforts focused on creating a user-friendly interface and implementing strategic user engagement initiatives, enabling users to make informed investment decisions and enhancing their financial literacy.
Sustainability Commissioner @ City of Sausalito
2022 – 2023
- I served as a member of a seven-person commission advising the City Council on sustainability-related issues. The commission plans and undertakes public education and public relations programs such as residential and commercial participation in recycling and waste reduction programs, solar and EV infrastructure, and adoption of the newly passed single-use plastic ban.
Head of Global Enterprise Risk Analytics & Corporate Finance @ BlackRock
2015 – 2021
- I led the strategic oversight of enterprise risk and market analytics across a firm with over $9 trillion AUM in 25+ jurisdictions, driving comprehensive risk management strategies that aligned with global regulatory standards and corporate goals. I managed the firm’s annual capital and liquidity assessments, enhancing financial stability, and directed a sophisticated model risk management program that improved governance across 1000+ financial models. My leadership achieved over $200 million in annual PnL savings through effective portfolio management and corporate hedging, while also developing and executing proactive responses to regulatory inquiries. Additionally, I implemented AI-driven tools and predictive analytics, significantly boosting the firm’s ability to proactively manage and anticipate potential operational risks.
Head of CCAR Stress Testing and Loss Forecasting @ Bank of the West
2013 – 2015
- I spearheaded the bank’s strategic transition from DFAST to CCAR, overseeing a team of risk managers and quantitative analysts. We developed, validated, and implemented comprehensive loss forecasting models across retail, wholesale, and investment portfolios. This effort greatly enhanced the bank’s regulatory compliance and reporting capabilities. My proactive engagements with regulators ensured that our models met stringent compliance standards, supporting the bank’s successful CCAR submissions. Notably, the 2014 DFAST and particularly 2015 CCAR submissions were the first of their kind to achieve success for a foreign-owned bank in the United States, marked by their precision and clarity. These achievements significantly strengthened the bank’s regulatory relations and reinforced our financial stability through rigorous, transparent interactions.
Credit Risk Portfolio Analytics & CCAR Modeling Leader @ Royal Bank of Scotland
2013 – 2013
- I spearheaded the development and implementation of advanced CCAR-compliant stress testing models for the bank’s commercial real estate and commercial and industrial loan portfolios. My leadership was instrumental in navigating the complexities of regulatory requirements, ensuring robust risk assessment and management capabilities. I focused on enhancing the bank’s forecasting accuracy under various economic scenarios, which played a crucial role in the bank’s preparation for the CCAR submission. This submission was noted for its rigor and compliance, significantly strengthening the bank’s regulatory standing and financial health.
Senior Model Risk Manager @ MUFG Union Bank
2011 – 2013
- I was responsible for the validation and strategic oversight of a comprehensive suite of critical financial models. These included Basel credit, CCAR stress testing, financial projections, capital estimation models, market and operational risk models, and models for structured assets. I developed and implemented a pioneering model risk rating methodology that markedly enhanced the bank’s governance and compliance frameworks. My role required substantial regulatory interactions, where I presented detailed model validations and addressed compliance issues, reinforcing our adherence to stringent regulatory standards and strengthening our financial integrity and regulatory relationships.
Lead Economic Capital and Stress Testing Analyst @ BB&T
2008 – 2011
- I led the development and maintenance of predictive models for the bank’s credit portfolios, including PD (Probability of Default), LGD (Loss Given Default), and EAD (Exposure At Default). My role was pivotal in crafting the bank’s internal economic capital models, which were integral to shaping our risk appetite statement, dividend payout policy, loan valuation, and capital efficiency strategies. I pioneered innovative predictive modeling techniques that not only ensured regulatory compliance but also resulted in significant cost savings, recognized with a CEO’s Innovation award. These initiatives allowed for the sophisticated customization of economic capital model outputs, enhancing strategic financial planning and risk management across the bank.
Fixed Income Quantitative Research Intern @ Wachovia Corp
2005 – 2006
- I specialized in multifactor risk modeling and Value at Risk (VaR) analysis for complex fixed income portfolios. My key projects included developing a Monte Carlo simulation-based application to accurately calculate various risk measures and VaR for given portfolios. Additionally, I was actively involved in a pilot project with KMV, focusing on the analysis of credit rating transitions, which enhanced our understanding of credit risk impacts.
Scholar, Research Specialist, and Sports Mentor
1996 – 2005
- Teaching Assistant @ UNC-Charlotte,
Charlotte, NC, 2002-2008- Instructed multiple undergraduate mathematics courses, fostering a deep understanding of complex mathematical principles.
- Mathematics Teacher @ National Organization for Development of Exceptional Talent
Tehran, Iran, 1996-2001- Coached exceptionally talented students, leading to gold and silver medals at the International Mathematics Olympiads.
- Soccer Coach @ UNC-Charlotte
Charlotte, NC, 2004 – 2006- Transformed a university intramural soccer team with no prior wins to reaching the finals in two consecutive seasons, significantly enhancing team performance and competitive spirit.