ABOUT

In Farsi, Kimia means "alchemy," a form of speculative thought that tried to transform base metals into silver or gold and to discover a cure for disease and a way of extending life. To me, my name represents the potential that we all have to be better ... to reach for gold and to bring gold into the world through our thoughts, words, and actions. 

​

Four years ago, I knew how I would define myself—peace activist. 

​

I was invited onto the board of Massachusetts Peace Action at age 14. I started the first activism club at Newton South High School and created the first ever Multicultural Day and Speaker Series events. I participated in the successful grassroots movement to stop Textron from manufacturing cluster bombs that were being used on civilians in Yemen. As a senior, I received the Human Rights Award from the mayor, and three other state-wide awards for my commitment to furthering the cause of justice, peace, and unity. 

​

Everyone who knew me knew me as the activist. And that’s how I knew myself. So when my viewpoints and approach to social change began to change I was terrified by the sense of uncertainty that washed over me. Who was I? 

​

I no longer have a one-word summary of what defines me, so here's the sparknotes version of who I am today: 

​

I'm a rising junior at Emory University's Goizueta Business School double majoring in Marketing and Organization and Management Consulting and minoring in Sociology. After years focused on direct action through grassroots activism, I wanted to bring that spirit of change and passion to the business world. I believe that corporations are responsible to both their shareholders and their stakeholders. I want to help organizations problem solve, adapt, and grow in a way that is both socially responsible and profitable. My interest in consulting comes from my fascination in the culture, people, and strategy that helps some organizations thrive when others struggle to survive. I want to help businesses reach their full potential.​ I enjoy gathering data and conducting qualitative analyses to gain a big picture understanding of a complex problem. I believe that my experiences working in teams of passionate and thoughtful people in various types of organizations—from a grassroots peace organization and the UN World Food Program to local government and a groundbreaking immunotherapy startup—has given me the ability to where many different hats when working with others to solve a problem. ​With an ESTP personality type and a burning desire to learn and grow, I see myself as a bridge between people who think differently. I want to listen to you, hear your ideas, and then work with you to turn them into actions. 

​

Now, I'm on a journey to gain confidence in my own ideas, discover my true purpose, and find the balance between being a friend, a student, a colleague, and curious human in a complicated world. I hope that you can follow along on this adventure through my photos, blog posts, and other random thoughts. Welcome to alchemy!