I have called Long Beach home since the age of two and have deep roots in the community I am running to serve. I attended Lowell Elementary, Rogers Middle School, and Wilson High School, experiences that shaped my understanding of Long Beach neighborhoods, public schools, and the importance of local leadership. I began my higher education in the Long Beach City College system before transferring to California State University, Long Beach, where I earned my Bachelor of Science in Marketing. My educational path reflects my belief in accessible education and the value of local institutions.
For more than a decade, I have worked as a real estate professional, helping families buy, sell, and invest in Long Beach homes. Through this work, I have gained firsthand experience with housing challenges, neighborhood preservation, development pressures, and the real-world impact of city policy on residents. My background in marketing and real estate has shaped a practical, solutions-oriented approach and a clear understanding of how decisions at City Hall affect everyday lives.
I currently serve as President of the California Heights Neighborhood Association, where I work closely with residents, city staff, and local businesses to protect neighborhood character, advocate for thoughtful infrastructure investment, and strengthen community engagement. I believe effective leadership starts with listening and I am committed to transparent, accountable governance that puts residents first.
I am a first-generation Iranian American. My parents immigrated to the United States after the 1979 revolution and unfortunately have never been able to return to the place they once called home. Growing up in an immigrant household shaped my understanding of sacrifice, resilience, and the value of opportunity. It also reinforced the importance of civic participation, local leadership, and the responsibility to show up for your community. These experiences continue to inform my approach to public service and my commitment to listening to and representing all residents.
Why I’m running
I’m running for Long Beach City Council in District 5 because too many residents feel unheard, and I believe our neighborhoods deserve better representation at City Hall.
Over the past several years, I’ve watched decisions get made that directly affect our daily lives without meaningful community input. Whether it’s the increase in general aviation activity at the Long Beach Airport, large-scale development proposals such as at Wardlow and Cerritos, or the Orange Avenue bike lane, the common thread has been a breakdown in communication and trust. Residents are not asking for perfection. They are asking to be part of the process.
District 5 neighborhoods are thoughtful, engaged, and deeply invested in where they live. People care about quality of life, neighborhood character, safety, homelessness, street maintenance, theft, and long-term planning. When concerns are raised about airport noise, traffic impacts, parking loss, or infrastructure changes, the response should never be dismissal or deflection. It should be listening, problem-solving, and accountability.
I am not running because I think every issue has an easy fix. Some challenges, like airport operations, involve complex regulations. But complexity is not an excuse for inaction or silence. I believe our councilmember should be willing to push for better solutions, ask tougher questions, and advocate consistently for the people most impacted.
I’m running to bring a more collaborative and transparent approach to city leadership. That means engaging residents early, sharing clear information, and making decisions with neighborhoods, not for them. It means supporting smart, well-planned development that respects existing communities. It means investing in infrastructure that lasts and reflects the character of our district. And most importantly, it means being present, accessible, and responsive.
District 5 deserves a councilmember who shows up, listens, and works relentlessly on behalf of the people who call this area home. That is why I’m running.
