Our Team
Ramses Rashidi, Executive Director
Ramses is a visionary with over three decades dedicated to education, innovation, and conservation. His unwavering commitment centers on pioneering development models to create a more united, equitable, and regenerative world. His life's journey includes extensive research into global development trends across social, economic, and ecological dimensions. Inspired by the
Bahá’í vision of world unity and motivated by the need for harmony and balance in global development, Ramses has authored numerous articles and papers on 'The Framework for a Balanced Development Model,' published in various publications and websites in multiple languages. In the 1990s, while living in China, Ramses founded the Center for Balanced Development and later established it as a nonprofit research organization in the United States. Now based in Southern California, he is developing the 'Innovation Club,' a mentorship and empowerment program for children and youth that actively involves parents and communities. Additionally, he is exploring the integration of artificial intelligence into 'Social Enterprise' initiatives. Having studied Chinese culture for over 30 years, Ramses is currently conducting research on the "Analects of Confucius" and its application in a balanced development model.
Randolph Dobbs, Board of Directors
Randolph, born in Oakland, California, and raised in Salinas near Monterey, pursued his education at Hartnell College. A member of the Regional
Bahá’í Council of the State of California, Mr. Dobbs is actively involved in the Interfaith Collective in the Mayor’s Office for the City of Los Angeles. Since the mid-90s, he has held the position of secretary for the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Los Angeles.
In addition to these responsibilities, Randolph serves as the director of the Association of Bahá’í Studies and the Office of Religious Life at the University of Southern California (USC). He also sits on the Board of Directors of the University Religious Conference at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).
Renowned for his extensive articles and op-eds on the vision of a harmonious global community, freedom of belief, and the preservation of cultural diversity, his work has been featured on various websites and in numerous publications. Currently residing in Southern California, Randolph Dobbs frequently travels in various capacities. Furthermore, he is a sought-after speaker at conferences and forums, both within the United States and globally.
Wei Wu, Board of Advisors
Wei Wu is a Certified Public Accountant with over 25 years of experience in financial accounting, consulting and international business field. She was born and raised in China and has been living in the U.S. since 1992 where she received her Master’s Degree in Accounting. She has worked on many projects throughout her career such as IPO service, financial audit, and financial reorganization for both U.S. Fortune-500 and Chinese companies. Previously, she worked for Arthur Andersen - one of the Big 5 public accounting firms. She was also the controller and senior management member for US Public Trade Companies as well as private owned companies. Wei is also an educator. She received her Bachelor's of Education in China.
Tahirih T. Danesh, Ph.D. Board of Advisors
Tahirih is dedicated to enhancing the enjoyment of socioeconomic rights and development within private and third-sector entities. Particularly passionate about young, marginalized, and minority communities, she is a serial civic entrepreneur, an advocate of the United Nations Global Compact Principles, and a member of the 30% Club, promoting gender diversity in leadership. Raised and inspired by some of the most impactful figures who helped shape the rise of her native Iran, she escaped to the West and has since lived and worked with a third of the world's cultures. She serves as the Executive Director of a niche educational foundation for students of Iranian descent in the West, the Chief Executive Officer of the foremost South African foundation in the UK, and an advisor to numerous charities and startups. She seeks and welcomes opportunities to promote learning and earning through spoken and written words but remains most passionate about elevating shared consciousness through practical approaches to complex processes. Tahirih Danesh holds a PhD in law and has contributed to a range of publications on human rights, policy, and education.
Adrienne Jackson Wright, Ph.D. Board of Advisors
Adrienne Jackson Wright has been an educator for over 30 years in public and private institutions, teaching all ages - from preschoolers to graduate students. Born and raised in Southern California, Adrienne holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice and a Master’s Degree in Education from Chapman University and a Doctoral Degree from the University of Southern California in Organizational Leadership and Educational Administration. Creating responsive programs to improve the education of students has been the guiding force in all of Adrienne’s work. She currently guides vocational school owners in opening new schools and becoming nationally accredited.
Trav Williams, Ph.D., Board of Advisors
Trav Williams is an author and a business professor at both Hartnell College and Gavilan College. He is a former executive and now has a financial advisory practice in Carmel, California. Trav has served on the boards of several non-profit organizations, focusing on interfaith, environmental, and social justice causes. He is currently the board secretary of Interfaith Outreach of Carmel.
Chitra Golestani Maghzi, Ph.D., Board of Advisors
Chitra Golestani Maghzi is an adjunct faculty at Antioch University in Los Angeles. She is an educational consultant, qualitative researcher, and a co-founder of the Paulo Freire Institute (PFI) at UCLA an organization committed to social justice education locally and globally. While at UCLA, Chitra worked as a researcher at the National Center for Research on Evaluation, Standards, and Student Testing (CRESST) on a nationwide study exploring 'student engagement’ and ‘professional development’ in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Oregon, and California public elementary schools. She has conducted research on social economic development projects in Latin America and Africa. Her dissertation, "Teaching for Social Justice and Global Citizenship," conducted in Los Angeles, explored how teachers employ best practices to effectively engage students in learning about social justice through dialogue in an integrative way. Currently, Chitra is writing grants with the Center for International Development and Education (CIDE) at UCLA for project development, teacher development, and research on peace and social justice, education, human rights, and global citizenship.
Tony Parker Danso, Board of Advisors
Tony has more than 30 years of experience with international organizations in child welfare, education, community development, policy planning, migration and integration as well as program development.
He is a trained English & Math teacher, and he has studied Management and Administration. In the field of social and humanitárian work, he worked for 17 years in Cape Verde as Sponsorship Manager for BORNEfonden, the Danish Children's Foundation. In the field of international relations, he functioned as Honorary Consul of the Republic of Ghana in Cape Verde from 2011 to 2016. Tony is currently the Project Manager for the research and development of the Guinea-Bissau FoodBank in collaboration with the Global FoodBanking Network (GFN), based in the United States. He is the focal point for sourcing projects for Invest Bank Corporation, an American Investment Institution. He is also a consultant for Astrophysics Inc., an American Company that manufactures scanners for security in Western and Central Africa.
Originally from Ghana, Tony served for many years on the National Baha'i insititutions in Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde promoting the vision of global unity. He currently lives in Guinea-Bissau.
Ruha Matin, Board of Advisors
Since 2008, Ruha has been nurturing fruitful relationships with authorities, philanthropies, grassroots and civil society organizations as well as managing programs and operations for socio-economic development, sustainability and education at international organizations and entities like the United Nations Office for Project Services, the embassy of Guatemala, the Bahá’í World Centre, and UN’s Sustainable Energy for All. Ruha has extensive experience working directly with children and youth, teaching moral education classes through the Ruhi Institute, working as substitute teacher for pre-K through 4th grade and acting as the director of a private school in Austin, Texas. Ruha holds a Bachelor's and Graduate Degree in International Relations and Conflict Resolution from NUR University in Santa Cruz, Bolivia.
Juliet Morse Aucreman, Board of Advisors
Juliet Morse Aucreman is a piano teacher, composer, writer, artist, and occupational therapist. In addition to private studio teaching, she leads a community service piano program through the San Clemente Bahá’i Center. She creates and produces illustrated books/music albums celebrating individuality and unique brain wiring to inspire readers and listeners to actively seek new ways of being, growing, and joining into our dynamic world. Juliet majored in piano performance at Eastman School of Music, holds a BA in Psychology from the University of Rochester, and an MS in Occupational Therapy from Boston University. Juliet studied advanced coaching through the ADD Coaching Academy. She has worked for years in pediatric clinics and schools promoting healthy balanced development to mainstream, and special needs children. Juliet has published over 80 humorous and thoughtful pieces in national and local print publications.
Rose Arghavan, Board of Advisors
Rose holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Cal State Fullerton and a Master's in Marriage and Family Therapy from Pepperdine University. As an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist in the Anaheim School District through Villages of CA, she supports TK-6th grade students with diverse mental health challenges, utilizing play therapy and art therapy in her practice. Rose collaborates closely with teachers, administrators, and families to provide holistic care addressing the students' adverse childhood experiences. She also extends community support by hosting clothing drives, coordinating food vouchers, and family therapy to ensure the students basic needs are addressed. In her free time, Rose enjoys immersing herself in nature, spending quality time with loved ones, and pursuing creative projects.
Ridvan Bruss, Board of Advisors
For over 15 years, Ridvan has helped spearhead social action initiatives that seeks to help youth navigate the social forces in their lives and to see their group of peers as protagonists in their community's development. He has advanced the program and empowered young people of various backgrounds in Colorado, New York and California. In 2017, Ridvan earned his professional Bachelor of Architecture Degree from Syracuse University. He currently works for an architectural firm in Irvine, California.
Lucian Toma, Board of Advisors
Lucian is a sustainability and permaculture designer, educator, and consultant with a decade of professional experience in the design, development and implementation of regenerative educational and training programs in academic, government, business and nonprofit environments. He holds a BA in International Relations and a MA in Global Leadership and Sustainable Development from Hawaii Pacific University. Lucian has led over 300 workshops, lectures, and courses on topics from the realm of sustainability, touching the lives of over 8000 individuals. He is also a college professor, the founder of “About And For Sustainability” (a permaculture certifying organization), and the founder of “reEarth Consulting” (a firm that helps local governments in Southern California reduce waste). Lucian and his family currently live in Missouri where he is the co-founder of the “Sun And Bloom Farms” (a 70+ acres ecovillage).
Susan Conforti, Board of Advisors
Rabbi Susan Conforti is a Board-Certified Chaplain. After studying at the University of California, Berkeley, and Purdue University, she attended seminary in Jerusalem and Cincinnati. Her chaplaincy training and experience includes Trauma I centers and adult and pediatric hospitals and hospices. She is trained in perinatal loss and compassionate care of the dying. She also facilitates bereavement groups and provides individual pastoral counseling and presents Judaism and End of Life seminars at conferences related to Ethics, Palliative Care, and Hospice. Susan has been a member of interdisciplinary palliative care and hospice teams and is responsible for spiritual and religious care for those at the end of life. As lead chaplain at Hoag Hospital and as a board member of the Newport Mesa Irvine Interfaith Council, she is active in promoting cooperation and celebrating diversity.
Sean Sanchez, Board of Advisors
Sean Sanchez has worked in the nonprofit field for 10 years as a Fundraiser, Development Officer, Development Associate, and Outreach Director. He has worked with a variety of nonprofits including the ACLU of Southern California, the American Liver Foundation, and the Parents Television Council. He has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars in his 10 years of experience and specializes in fundraising and fund development. Sean is currently in his second year of a Master’s in Nonprofit Management and Leadership from Capella University. He has experience with strategic development, grant writing, major gifts fundraising, special event coordination, volunteer management, budgeting, and business planning. Sean is also skilled in conflict resolution and mediation and is a certified mediator with 75 hours of training from Centinela Youth Services.
Kabi Ou, Board of Advisors
Kabi Ou, born and raised in China, received his education at the Guangdong Institute of Science and Technology, specializing in management and marketing. His extensive experience encompasses roles at Gateway Language Village, an English language immersion center, and managerial positions in international trade companies. Engaging in global outreach, Kabi has actively contributed to various non-profit organizations, with a particular emphasis on community service programs. Currently, he serves as the founder and proprietor of an e-commerce company located in Shenzhen.
Wu Qianying, Associate
Wu Qianying has many years of experience in education, translation, and marketing. She worked as an English teacher in Shanghai University and translated a book which was published in China. She has translated many articles about education and development. These articles were published in Chinese and overseas media. She also worked in a Fortune 500 company as marketing specialist in Shanghai conducting market survey and analysis for investment decision making. During 2002-2004, she worked in Canada as a specialist creating marketing programs for world famous companies such as Western Union and P&G. Wu Qianying holds an Advanced Interpreter Certificate and currently lives in Shanghai.
Michael Heinrich, Assoicate
Michael Heinrich was born and grew up in New York. He graduated from Fordham University in New York City and has tremendous experience in management, organizational development, and marketing. He has worked with major US companies such as RCA records and Revlon. Michael has traveled throughout Africa, Europe, and lived in Russia for a year during the reform period in the early 90’s. He is a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces. Michael is currently working on water purification systems and innovative water filters for impoverished areas of the world. He has three daughters and lives in Los Angeles.
