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Established in British Columbia by dedicated social activists from the Farsi-speaking community, the Third Bridge Foundation stands as a recognized non-profit, dedicated to community empowerment, engagement, and the advancement of social mobility. Our core mission centers on supporting Farsi-speaking newcomers in their transition into Canadian society, empowering them to become active and integral members of their communities. Initiated in 2019 with our signature weekly networking event, Tek Talk Vancouver, we've since broadened our horizons by introducing a diverse array of community-building activities. This ongoing evolution ensures that our initiatives continually align with, and cater to, the dynamic needs of our community.

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Projects

Tek Talk
Weekly Networking Events

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Tek Talk is a weekly networking event. Tek Talk was founded back in August 2019 by Amir Bajehkian as the first cornerstone of what later become to be Third Bridge Foundation.

So far we have had 150 Tek Talks, online and in-person. Tek Talk's Telegram channel has about 600 people subscribed to it.

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Tek Talk Plus

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Tek Talk+ is a seasonal event that supports skilled immigrants by providing career path guidance and entrepreneurship insights. The event features a panel of immigrant entrepreneurs and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) professionals who share their experiences with attendees. The events provide a platform for networking, community building, and learning for highly educated immigrants.

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Our Story

The story of the Farsi-speaking people in BC began with the first Iranian immigrants who chose North Shore as their new home. Over the past decades, two bridges connected the North Shore to the rest of the Lower Mainland (Metro Vancouver). And time and again, there were talks of having a “Third Bridge.” We believe that we are the “Third Bridge” connecting “Farsi-Speakers” (like the ones in the North Shore) with the Community at large (like the Mainland).

A group of dedicated activists and leaders in the Iranian and Afghan communities of British Columbia established the Third Bridge Foundation. The idea came to fruition as we identified a gap in services and facilities for Farsi speakers to connect with the communities they live in, realize their full potential, become active participants in the affairs of the Community at large, and shape its future.

Third Bridge brings various community initiatives, as well as new ones, under an umbrella to empower our Community and connect them with other stakeholders and decision-makers in BC.

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Our Vision

Empower Farsi-speaking BC residents and build a bridge to strengthen their connection with the Community they live in.

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Our Mission

Assisting Farsi-speaking newcomers in their professional development.

Building the Community of Farsi-speaker young professionals to network, start friendships, share their stories, and co-found startups together.

Removing barriers to Community and political engagement by raising awareness about the democratic process and helping Farsi-speaking communities build connections with different levels of government and other stakeholders and be active participants in shaping the communities they live in.

Filling the gaps in the settlement system for newcomers.

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Team

Get to know us!

Meet the Board

We have a board of directors with vast experience in community and social activism.

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Amir Bajehkian

President, Member of the Board, Co-Founder

Outreach Consultant, Social Activist, Founder at Farsi dar BC, Green Cedar Consulting Ltd, & Tek Talk, Co-Founder at BCSarv, & third Bridge Foundation

Amir is the founder and president of Green Cedar Consulting. He is an Outreach Consultant, Community Activist, and Aviation Specialist. He is passionate about engaging new Canadians in community and Political Affairs. He was involved in various projects and initiatives to promote culture, strengthen outreach to Farsi Speaking communities, and intercultural dialogue between Farsi-speaking communities and their neighbours throughout the years.

 

As a member of the Multicultural Advisory Council of BC, Amir took part in shaping the future of multicultural and intercultural policies of the BC Government and the provincial strategy to fight discrimination and racism, especially during our fight against COVID-19.

 

Amir believes that fundamental human rights and participation in the democratic process should not be taken for granted. He is committed to having immigrants be seen as partners, and they should take part in policies that affect all British Columbians. Amir is a regular contributor to local media outlets in English and Farsi to raise awareness about Canadian affairs amongst New Canadians and about New Canadians amongst the general population.

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Mohsen Vafadoost

Executive Manager, Vice President, Member of the Board, Co-Founder

Digital Marketer, Business Developer, Co-Founder at ReElevate, BCSarv, & ReGathering, & Third Bridge Foundation

Mohsen is a Business Strategist. He has a Marketing and Business background and an MBA degree. Mohsen is passionate about empowering newcomers and marginalized communities through the use of novel technologies and innovations. In his last start-up, RaGathering, which he co-founded and was responsible as a Product Manager, he led a team of engineers and designers to build an app for helping newcomers to Canada get engaged within their community during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mohsen tries to increase the community engagement in Vancouver's Farsi-speaking community by organizing and co-hosting weekly meetings, Tek Talk Vancouver, for professionals in technology and science. Mohsen also believes that significant improvements come from activism and tries to be a concerned citizen as much as possible by writing analytical notes and articles in different newspapers and his blog.

 

Being a fan of entrepreneurship, innovation, and small businesses, Mohsen is interested in creating start-ups, designing and business modelling. He is also equipped with Google Analytics and Google AdWords certifications. He has experience in running, consulting and modelling for start-ups in the software industry and small businesses in manufacturing. He has experience in providing Business Analysis, Business Development, Business Strategy, and Pricing services.

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Hamid Ahmadian

Member of the Board

Founder & Managing Director at Areva Living

Hamid is an entrepreneur with 15+ years of experience and a focus on Real Estate in the past 10+ years. Hamid has been involved in entire value chain of real estate development from acquisition and entitlement to marketing and construction, and is one of the founders and Managing Directors of Areva Living and Redic Developments.

Hamid holds a Bachelor in Civil Engineering and an M.B.A, both from the University of British Columbia. He recently completed Harvard Business School’s Program in Leadership Development, and is a Certified management accountant (CMA) and Chartered Professional accountant (CPA).

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Sanjar Sohail

Member of the Board

Publisher/Founder at Hasht e Subh Daily Newspaper (8am Daily)

Sanjar is the publisher of ‘Hashte-Subh’ daily newspaper in Afghanistan. He has a B.A. in Persian Literature from Kabul University, and a Master of Conflict Resolution from Royal Roads University. He currently lives in Vancouver with his wife and two children.

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Melody Moheb

Member of the Board

Outreach Consultant, Social Activist

Melody is a community activist and works as an Outreach Assistant at the office of Bonita Zarrillo, Member of Parliament for Port Moody—Coquitlam. She has organized many events in the Farsi-speaking community. Melody studied Food, Nutrition and Health at UBC, Teaching English as a Second Language at CDI, and General Biology at Ferdowsi University of Mashhad. She is passionate about Food Security, Gender Equity and Inclusion in Politics. Her goal is to increase civic engagement in the Canadian-Iranian community and work on the Food Security issue in Canada through social democracy strategies.

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Meet the Team

We have a team of highly educated and highly skilled volunteers helping the Third Bridge Foundation achieve its goals and bring its vision to reality.

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Honieh Barzegari

Lead & Host at Beyne Sotoor

Social & Political Activist, Medical doctor by training working at a health tech company, Host at Beyne Sotoor

Honieh Barzegari (she/her) graduated from medical school in Tehran, Iran. After graduation, she did her return of service in rural areas and villages. she had a rewarding career as a family doctor for several years. She then began to work for a pharmaceutical company and advised on best medical practices and ensured compliance to medical standards and ethics. During this time, she earned her Certificate in Business Management. When she arrived in Vancouver, her first job was teaching at a private post secondary college, where she used her medical knowledge to train clinicians in a vibrant and diverse atmosphere. For the past four years, she has worked at a Vancouver-based healthcare technology startup company, combining her medical knowledge and business experience.
Here in Vancouver, she volunteered at Mount Saint Joseph hospital in the Mount Pleasant area from 2016 to 2018 (once a week). She helped to orient patients and their families upon arrival at the ER. This hospital is a well-known health center serving Canadians of Chinese descent. She also volunteered at Pain BC from 2017 to 2018 and coached chronic pain patients to manage their pain in an efficient way to find personal solutions.
Honieh’s experience in business and tech has given her an understanding of the importance of technology jobs and their contribution to Vancouver’s growth and future prosperity.

Honieh is committed to self improvement, positive change and puts those values into practice. She loves and respects art and has made it a part of her daily life. She dances flamenco, recites poetry, and writes. She values the power of culture to unite people across the city. 

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Aysun Ofoghi

Researcher, Lead of Third Bridge Foundation Grants Team

Research Scientist (Neuroscience & Psychology), Mitacs Elevate Post Doctoral Fellow, Simon Fraser University, Co-Founder at ReGathering

A passionate researcher experienced in the field of Neuroscience and Psychology.
I study novel innovative technologies (such as Virtual reality, body sensors, and neuroenhancement methods) and their applications.

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Shadi Alibolandi

Visual Artist

Visual Artist

Shadi has a BSC in Software Computer and a master's in IT Management. Currently, she is working as a Product Designer (UI/UX) and has about four years of experience in graphic design and eight years of experience in photography. One of her keen interests is street photography, which she enjoys in her leisure time.

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Mahshid Khosravi

Startup Events Lead

Entrepreneur, Podcaster, Startup Advisor

An accomplished entrepreneur in Iran's startup ecosystem with a promising experience in Venture Capital and Startup Growth. She had a key role in the most successful VC investments in Iran. Additionally, she has been an advisor to many startups. Mahshid is Co-Founder and Business Development Manager at ReElevate.io startup and a Consultant bridging international startup and incubator networks. In addition, she has taught business at Iran’s most reputable universities.

For nearly ten years, Mahshid worked for an IT company. That company is now recognized as one of Iran's biggest IT companies and venture capitalists. Mahshid was the Co-Founder of growth at that company.
After ten years, She left the company because the CEO believed there was no more upward mobility for her as a woman!! She started her own business then.
Now, she is in Vancouver (She immigrated through the Startup Visa Program) working on her startup, a mentorship platform focused on career development. Besides, she is helping other Iranian startups to move to Canada and grow their businesses here.
Experiencing gender equality in her country and the company she had worked for, she decided to work hard to empower women. She founded a podcast, which is called Marathon Podcast(پادکست ماراتن). It focuses on women in business, discusses gender gaps and gender equality, and tries to empower women by bringing other successful women into their lives.

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Molood Maghsoudi

Visual Artist

Graphic Designer, Visual Artist

Molood Maghsoodi has a bachelor of graphic design and a master of illustration, and graduated from Vancouver College of Art and Design in the Graphic design program. 

She was born in an artist family and had a great experience in design, learning and teaching conceptual art, visual art and graphic design.

She has 20 years of experience in graphic design, illustration and teaching arts

After immigration, the Canadian supportive community encouraged Molood to develop her own brand for her handmade casual jewelry products. Molood shares her significant light and creative handmade jewelry under her Molly Design brands. 

At the same time, Molood has been a graphic designer for Allego Global company since 2019.

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Zahra Vafadoost

Social Media Coordinator

Master of Science in Medicine/Human Genetics, Software Engineer

Zahra is a software engineer with experience of working in a few companies. Currently, She is a master's student in Bioinformatics at the Memorial University of Newfoundland. She received her bachelor's degree from Sharif University of Technology.

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Ali Panahi

Grants Associate

Rehabilitation Physician, Researcher, Book Translator

A Medical Doctor with over 10 years of experience in healthcare, research, and teaching. Also, an English to Farsi translator and grants specialist. Pursuing knowledge and making a small difference in the world!

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    Ali Abshar

    Startup Events Team, Grants Associate

    MSc Finance | MBA | Financial Analyst

    Highly result driven and motivated graduate with a master's degree in business administration, looking to bring knowledge and experience in marketing and management. Motived and multitask site coordinator known for assisting managers on high-profile projects with maintaining a high level of professionalism and attention to details. I also worked with numerous branches, including payroll and human resources, which allow me to facilitate an efficient workflow and improve communications between multiple departments.

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    Ebrahim Khamushoi

    Social Media Coordinator

    MBA, B.Eng.

    Highly result driven and motivated graduate with a master's degree in business administration, looking to bring knowledge and experience in marketing and management. Motived and multitask site coordinator known for assisting managers on high-profile projects with maintaining a high level of professionalism and attention to details. I also worked with numerous branches, including payroll and human resources, which allow me to facilitate an efficient workflow and improve communications between multiple departments.

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    Elnaz Babakhani

    Startup Events Team

    Business Development Specialist

    Elnaz is an Entrepreneur. She's always looking out to build something out of nothing and add meaning to world. Through her course of career, she's played vital roles in launching several successful startups and right now she's a co-founder @ Direction. 

     

    Elnaz is not just a business consultant or a development specialist, she's also a networking enthusiast eager to bring people of differnet talents together. She describes herself as a "head-over-heels for making startups BOOM". 

     

    Thanks to her curios and hardworking soul, Elnaz has a wealth of knowledge and experience in developing and implementing successful innovative strategies for businesses of all sizes and from diverse markets . She is always looking for new opportunities to make a positive and sustainable impact and create some sort of value.

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    Alireza Torabi

    Startup Events Team

    Founder at Ramis Tech | startup mentor | startup consultant| business developer

    Alireza is An Entrepreneur, problem-solving thinker and startup advisor with 10 years of experience. He is operating his both startup Ramistech and Direction in Canada. 

    He is also skilled in providing business advice, guidance, and mentoring to entrepreneurs and startups. He conducts due diligence on startups at the early stages of development and writes progress strategy plans. He also helps entrepreneurs to modify their business revenue models based on market research, customer validation, and product market fit.    

    Alireza is an accomplished professional with a wealth of experience in identifying and supporting talented Iranian startup teams and tech products for the North American market, he has driven more than 10 startup teams and connected them to accelerators and incubators which can provide the support and resources needed for success. 

     

    Overall, Alireza has demonstrated a remarkable ability to think outside the box, approach challenges and identify opportunities, build teams, and drive growth.

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    Mohammad Nadi

    Grants Associate

    Business Intelligence Developer

    MSc. knowledge engineering and decision-making science Amirkabir University (Tehran Polytechnic)

    CEO of BIDAR.ca (Business intelligence Developers Association Registered) 

    Co-Founder of SanJob.ca FAQ search engine for new Canada immigrants 

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    Setare Sadeghi

    Visual Artist, Quality Control

    Consortium Project Manager (Supercluster Projects) at Change Healthcare

    Setareh is a seasoned technology leader with over two decades of experience in the digital world. She is passionate about delivering clear vision and execution paths for customer-centric product solutions that solve big problems and positively impact people's lives. Setareh is skilled in design thinking and adept at understanding and meeting the needs of both customers and clients. She approaches challenges with creativity and adaptability, is able to navigate the chaos and deliver successful outcomes.
    With a background in computer science and hardware engineering, Setareh has a strong foundation in technical skills. She is proficient in agile methodology and proven project management techniques and has led complex programs, business transformation, and innovation projects for a diverse range of industries.
    In her previous role as the Change Healthcare Innovation Lead and Project Manager, Setareh was responsible for piloting and implementing the Risk Management Framework for the US Department of Defense Healthcare environment, which was critical in revenue generation. Setareh's efforts resulted in an unparalleled five Authority to Operate Certifications for Radiology and Cardiology products. This recognition led to a promotion as the consortium Project Manager for Supercluster-related solutions.
    When not working, Setareh enjoys spending time with family and friends, as well as hiking, biking, photography, drawing, travelling, reading, learning new things, and stepping out of her comfort zone.

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    303-12 Athletes way, Vancouver, BC, V5Y 0B5, Canada

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