Dr Sharon Nazarian harnesses her experiences as an Iranian-Jewish immigrant to lead global efforts against anti-Semitism and promote human rights and democracy. Here, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) board member shares her inspiring journey and impactful leadership.
Dr Sharon Nazarian was seated across from the Crown Prince of Saudia Arabia in what proved to be a ‘pinch me’ moment.
The accomplished academic, philanthropist, and foreign policy advisor was in Riyadh with a small delegation of Rand Corp board members, discussing among other topics, his Royal Highness’ support for eradicating anti-Jewish content from educational textbooks. It was a significant moment, not only for a Jewish Iranian American woman to be meeting with Saudi leadership but because it signalled a historic change in the relationship between Muslims and Jews.
“It was surreal to speak with the Crown Prince about anti-Semitism and how it is harmful to his vision of modernising Saudia Arabia,” she says. “And he got it. He understood that would be a hindrance to the vision he had for his country and his kingdom.”
This extraordinary encounter highlights Dr Nazarian’s journey from refugee to leading global advocate for combating hate and fostering understanding. Her story is one of resilience, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to education and understanding.
A window to a new life
Dr Nazarian was born in Iran, a country where Jews lived for over 2,700 years as an often barely tolerated minority. It was not unusual for her family to experience anti-Semitism daily, including being forced to live in ghetto-like Jewish suburbs.
“For my father’s generation, the biases and discriminatory behaviour were very much entrenched,” she says, recalling that Jews were banned from walking in the street when it rained, lest the rainwater that touched their bodies render Muslims ‘impure’.
Despite periods of modernisation and some integration of religious minorities under the Shah’s rule, life for Jews in Iran remained challenging, escalating dramatically with the Iranian Revolution of 1979. Fleeing for their lives, the Nazarian family went first to Israel and then to the United States with little more than the clothes on their backs. The Iranian government confiscated all their possessions, including her father’s road construction machine-manufacturing business.
Amidst the upheaval, Dr Nazarian’s father was able to rely on his good name and reputation to rebuild their lives in the US. Before losing everything, he had established solid business connections and a strong reputation outside of Iran, opening the door to a business loan and purchasing an aviation parts factory in Los Angeles.
“It was really a case of ‘God closes all doors and leaves one window open,” Dr Nazarian says. “My father’s biggest life lesson to us has always been that your good name will stay with you and travel with you.”
Career Tip:Building trust and a good reputation in business is essential. Both can open doors, especially during crises. In a world where connectivity and credibility matter, maintaining integrity and fostering trust can be the foundation of long-term success and resilience. |
A multifaceted career
Before joining the ADL, Dr Nazarian’s career was multifaceted, blending academia, philanthropy, and foreign policy. Fueled by her parents’ sacrifices and strong belief in education, she pursued a PhD in Political Science, becoming an Adjunct Professor at the University of California. This was a significant achievement for a family from a country that barred Jews from holding academic positions.
“We’re very grateful to America for welcoming us and grateful that we were able to grow up here,” she says.
Dr Nazarian’s academic accomplishments opened the door to a career in foreign policy, becoming a member of prestigious organisations such as the Council on Foreign Relations and the Pacific Council on International Relations. In such roles, she conducted fact-finding missions to crisis regions around the globe, meeting with leaders and experts on critical issues affecting the world.
“I visited Afghanistan, Iraq, Cuba, North Korea and South Sudan right after its independence, really trying to inform the goals of American foreign policy,” she says.
Dr Nazarian particularly valued the opportunity to visit North Korea, not only because her PhD dissertation had been on South Korea but also because so few Westerners are invited to travel there.
“Being there in person was really an unparalleled experience for me, experiencing firsthand the most totalitarian and isolated regime in the world.”
Giving back
However, Dr Nazarian is particularly proud of her work as a philanthropist on behalf of her family. After her father established his business in the US and achieved a certain level of wealth, he wanted to give back to the two countries that had given them so much, the USA and Israel. So, along with her parents, Dr Nazarian established the Younes & Soraya Nazarian Family Foundation in 2000, of which she is President.
In this role, she has overseen the foundation’s support for numerous initiatives, focusing on the arts and education. “My mum is a sculptor, so we really believe in the arts as a mechanism of teaching tolerance, integrating societies across languages and cultures,” she explains.
The initiative of which she is most personally proud is the stunning performing arts centre in Northridge, located on a California State University campus.
The Soraya, named after Dr Nazarian’s mother, provides cultural enrichment to a diverse student body and broader community. Many of the students are first-generation university students from hard-working immigrant families like hers.
“I think the Soraya really embodies the totality of our family and the legacy of my parents,” she says.
Building bridges
As a young leader establishing the Foundation, Dr Nazarian was often the only woman and youngest at the table, surrounded by older, predominantly White male colleagues. Her Iranian background and gender meant she had to work harder to be taken seriously. Despite these challenges, she remained undeterred, driven by her commitment to her parents’ legacy and the resilience instilled in her from childhood. “I never had imposter syndrome. I represented my parents and their legacy, which gave me the confidence I needed,” she shares.
Dr Nazarian also drew on the diplomatic skills she had inherited from her father to overcome cultural barriers and find a common language. “I really felt that I was a bridge builder, and it was up to me to not only represent the Iranian Jewish community but to educate and show the value of having a diverse perspective around those conference tables,” she says.
Career Tip:Dr Nazarian’s leadership style is characterised by a holistic approach and a commitment to bridge-building. She believes in lifting up her team members, giving them the recognition they deserve, and fostering an environment of mutual respect and growth. “I think many people don’t believe in themselves as much as they should. It’s important to empower your team and acknowledge their contributions,” she says. |
Turning Point: Charlottesville and ADL
In 2017, Dr Nazarian was invited to join the ADL by its new CEO, Jonathan Greenblatt. He was looking for a female leader with a global perspective and a Mizrahi background (Mizrahi Jews originate from the Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia). Not having worked with anti-Semitism, Dr Nazarian didn’t feel she was a fit for the role.
However, soon after, she was horrified to watch a news report on a White supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. Its anti-Semitic chants and subsequent violence proved to be a pivotal moment in her life.
“My husband turned to me and said: ‘Sharon, what more important work can you be doing? This is the work you need to be doing—fighting anti-Semitism’.”
Dr Nazarian accepted the ADL role as Senior Vice President for International Affairs, spearheading initiatives to combat anti-Semitism globally, focusing on education and coalition building.
One of her most significant achievements was working with Abraham Accord countries such as Morocco and the UAE. The ADL team helped these countries revise their educational materials to remove anti-Semitic content and promote tolerance and understanding. This effort is crucial in changing societal narratives and fostering a more inclusive future.
“We worked on developing online educational tools and engaging with international leaders to address hate speech and discrimination,” she explains.
This work has become even more vital since the terrorist group Hamas attacked Israel on 7 October 2023, murdering 1200 civilians and taking 240 people hostage. Before Israel had even launched its response in Gaza, anti-Semitic protests broke out across the world, particularly on university campuses. Anti-Semitic incidents have since risen exponentially across the world, with Jews being collectively blamed for the war.
“The normalisation of anti-Semitism is just mind-boggling. It is being not only accepted but justified,” she says.
Looking to the future
Today, Dr Nazarian’s parents’ vision for fostering understanding and tolerance through education is more important than ever. She continues this vital work as an ADL board member, through her academic work lecturing on anti-Semitism and as President of her family’s charitable foundation.
As Dr Nazarian navigates the complexities of leadership in a challenging world, she remains committed to providing credible solutions and maintaining hope amidst increasing adversity. Instilled with her father’s resilience and diplomacy, she will undoubtedly build bridges to a better future.
Dr Sharon Nazarian’s Leadership Lessons:
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© Laini Bennett, MBA
Image Credits: (c) All images were supplied by the Office of Dr Sharon Nazarian.