Introducing our Board of Directors & Consultants
Dr. Guita Movallali
Founder & Chair of Board of Directors
Dr. Bahram Malakooti
Chief Medical Director
Fahimeh Jalilikhoei
Outreach, Membership, Director
Kellina Powell
Public Relations &
Marketing Director
Marjan Moshajari
Treasurer
Ana Lankarani
Grant & Fundraising
Director
Samira Savadkoohi
ASL consultant
Dana Cohen
LSLS/AVT consultant
Guita Movalali
Guita Movallali is an international educator and advocate with over 30 years of experience in early intervention, family support, and nonprofit leadership. She holds a Ph.D. in Psychology and has spent more than 20 years in academia. Guita has led major initiatives for parents of deaf and hard of hearing children, including developing storytelling and dialogic book-reading programs in both spoken and sign languages in Iran.....more
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Bahram Malakooti
Bahram Malakooti, MD, serves as the Chief Medical Director of Faranak Foundation. He is a Pediatric ENT specialist with over 20 years of academic and clinical expertise in pediatric otorhinolaryngology. With over 40 years of surgical practice in Iran, Dr. Malakooti has extensive clinical and academic insight and has been dedicated to supporting deaf and hard-of-hearing children since 1998. His deep commitment to the field and wealth of experience drive his work at Faranak Impact Inc. to create positive change for children and their families.
Kellina Powell
Kellina Powell is a Deaf coach, best-selling author, and international speaker dedicated to empowering young adults with disabilities to pursue their goals with confidence. Through her company, Kellina’s Empowerment Inc., she educates communities about the Deaf experience while promoting mental health, inclusion, and resilience. Featured on over 200 podcasts and multiple bestselling books, Kellina inspires others to break barriers and embrace their unique journey
Fahimeh JalilKhoei
Fahimeh Jalilikhoei holds a Master’s degree in School Counseling and a background in Social Work. After discovering her hearing loss later in young adulthood, she immigrated to Canada in 2022 with a strong determination to advocate for children and families navigating similar challenges. Fahimeh has worked as a high school mathematics teacher in Toronto and has supported diverse communities as an Early Childhood Educator Assistant and Personal Support Worker. She has also volunteered with Catholic Community Services of York Region (CCSYR) and at the inaugural Faranak Foundation event.
Marjan Moshajari
Marjan Moshajari is a Hard of Hearing professional with over 16 years of experience in accounting and financial management in Iran. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Azad University (Central Tehran) and expanded her credentials after immigrating to Canada in 2011, completing the ELT Program in Accounting and later earning her Professional Tax Preparation Certificate from H&R Block in 2023.
Marjan is deeply committed to using her financial expertise to support organizations that create meaningful impact—especially those serving deaf and hard of hearing children and their families.
Ana Lankarani
Ana is a project manager and creative humanitarian dedicated to advocating for inclusivity and sustainability through her engagements with supporting Rotary International and Opportunity International projects, and Food, Health & Consumer Products (FHCP). Ana's compassion for women and children in poverty, along with her curiosity for nonprofit operations, drives her involvement with humanitarian projects that honour Indigenous people, Deaf/Hard of Hearing children, and empower families, and foster sustainability. Guided by resilience, diplomacy, and a passion for mentorship, Ana transforms vision into impact, ensuring every initiative resonates with dignity and respect.
Ana loves and cares deeply for animals and nature. She has fostered rescued dogs and enjoys hiking.
Samira Savadkoohi
Samira Savadkoohi is a Toronto-based Deaf artist, ASL instructor, and advocate. Born profoundly Deaf in Tehran, she earned both my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in environmental design. After discovering the Deaf community and later moving to Canada, she learned ASL and fully embraced my Deaf identity. Today, she teaches ASL and creates inclusive art, including her project DEVIA, which celebrates Deaf culture and fosters connections between Deaf and hearing communities. Her work reflects her passion for accessibility, language, and empowering others to embrace who they are.
Dana Cohen
Dana Cohen, MEd, OCT, LSLS Cert AVT, is a Specialist Teacher for Students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing and a Listening and Spoken Language Specialist. For the past 40 years, she has worked as an educator, coordinator, consultant, therapist and mentor supporting infants, preschool and school age children with hearing loss and their families. She provides services in homes, clinics and school settings, using a coordinated, family-centered approach from diagnosis to early intervention and school support. She has contributed to several publications and workshops related to LSL, and works with the Global Foundation for Children with Hearing Loss to improve LSL outcomes for children in developing countries.