She co-founded HablaCentro Informatics NFP and LLC with her late husband, using citizen journalism to support communities during crises in Guatemala and the U.S.Beyond academics and media, she is a certified death doula, deeply engaged in end-of-life care. Currently, she is pursuing an MFA in nonfiction and poetry at Bennington College. She bikes and runs for fun and hikes with her fiercely protective German Shepherd, Oso.

Her research interests have included collective trauma and Hazara civil society activists in Bamyan, Afghanistan, political identity of Afghan refugees in Greece, and ethno-historical and oral history understandings of the Hazara genocide of the late 1800s. She has published numerous articles and book chapters on these topics.

With more than a decade of experience in community-centered research and data generation across South Asia, Central Asia, Europe, and the United States, Ehsan has dedicated his career to elevating marginalized voices through rigorous, data-driven approaches. He has spent extensive time in the field—traveling to remote and challenging areas, collecting data firsthand, and engaging deeply with communities. Throughout his career, he has collaborated with institutions around the world, including the University of York, the University of Washington, Creative Associates International, Management Systems International, the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission, the Afghanistan Institute for Civil Society, and the European Centre for Minority Issues, as well as indirectly with World Bank and USAID initiatives. He also served as a founding board member of Innovation for Change – Central Asia Hub. As the leader of a diverse team at the Porsesh Policy Research Institute in the United States, Ehsan leads research and initiatives that leverage data for social impact. His work centers on the intersection of society, human-centered technology, and efforts to address digital, data, and technology disparities. Through Porsesh, he collaborates with a wide range of stakeholders and hundreds of grassroots and community-based organizations in U.S to advance more equitable, community-driven data and knowledge—and, importantly, to inform policies, programs, and services that are rooted in the needs, priorities, and lived experiences of communities.

Previously, he served as a Cultural Advisor at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul and worked as Deputy Field Program Officer with USAID in Afghanistan for three years. Motivated by social justice, Javid envisions a fair society where all individuals, especially those facing discrimination and limited opportunities, lead fulfilling lives.

Beyond her professional pursuits, Perla finds joy in brewing beer with her home-brewers club and cherishing moments spent with her loyal canine companion, Gizmo.

His publication record covers essential topics, including peace, women's rights, and freedom of expression.

Agus has led research initiatives, advocated for reproductive rights in Argentina, and promoted the expansion of LGBTQ+ health services in community clinics. As a volunteer data analyst with Porsesh, he leverages community resources to support historically marginalized populations through data informed interventions.

Outside of research and work, Nicole can be found swimming, hiking, traveling, and exploring the city of Seattle. She is also excited to be training to complete her first triathlon this coming April.

Outside of her professional work, Shalom enjoys diving into a good book, catching up on the latest reality TV shows, and exploring new destinations through travel. These activities not only provide a balance to her work but also fuel her creativity and broaden her understanding of different cultures and perspectives.