2013 CHIP Fellows

Hadi Sedigh: Spring Internship with Congresswoman Yvette Clarke

Hadi Sedigh is a recent graduate of the University of Virginia’s School of Law, where he received his J.D. in 2011. He joined Representative Yvette Clarke’s Washington, D.C. office as a fellow in January, where his duties include research, writing, and communicating with constituents and interest groups.  Prior to joining Representative Clarke’s office, Hadi was pursuing a University of Virginia Post-Graduate Fellowship in Indianapolis, where he performed pro bono legal services for indigent Indianapolis residents. Hadi had also previously served as a law clerk in the Office of House Employment Counsel at the House of Representatives.

Shahrooz Shahandeh: Spring Internship with Senator Charles Schumer

Shahrooz Shahandeh is a graduate student at the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University, where he is pursuing a Master of Science in Foreign Service. As a legislative intern in Senator Charles Schumer’s Washington, D.C. office, he focuses on foreign policy, technology and communications, and immigration reform. Before moving to D.C., Shahrooz also worked in governmental affairs in California, where he served as a local government liaison for The Energy Coalition, an environmental non-profit organization, and as Executive Assistant to the Mayor of the City of Irvine.

2012 CHIP Fellows

The Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian Americans (PAAIA) is pleased to announce our Capitol Hill Internship Program (CHIP) inaugural group of Fellows. Ms. Deanna Javadi, Ms. Monna Sabouri, and Darien Salehy  are distinguished young Iranian Americans who have the unique opportunity to get a firsthand look at our nation’s legislative and political process.

Deanna Javadi: Summer Internship with Congresswoman Donna Edwards

Deanna Javadi is a senior at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania where she is studying International Relations. Deanna is actively involved in extracurricular activities and campus student groups, including Delta Gamma Fraternity, World Affairs Club, Greek Allies, and Peer Values Education.  She has also held a number of internships including the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian Americans (PAAIA), and the Roberto Wirth Fund. This past spring 2012 semester, she studied abroad in Rome, Italy.

 Monna Sabouri: Summer Internship with the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC)

 Monna Sabouri is a student at CUNY Queens College, where she is working towards a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with honors in Business and Liberal Arts. During her time in Queens College, Monna has worked as a Legal Intern for the Honorable Justice Rosengarten in Queens County Supreme Court. She is affiliated with her father’s non-profit organization, the Roodaki Foundaiton, which helps the promotion of Iranian Culture throughout the world. Monna is also a musician, getting her minors in music theory from the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College.

Darien Salehy: Fall Internship with Senator Mark Udall

Darien Salehy is a recent graduate of University of Colorado – Boulder, where he majored in International Affairs. He joined Senator Udall’s Washington, D.C. office this fall. He currently serves as a Press and Legislative Intern for the Senator Udall’s office, compiling research briefs and drafting letters to constituents regarding legislative policy as well as drafting newsletters and blog articles for the Senator’s website, and writing speeches.