Where Philanthropy Empowers Dignity

Meet Our Founders

Shirin Zarkesh

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Co-Founder & President of AyZar Outreach

Shirin Zarkesh grew up in Tehran in a family where giving back was not an obligation but a way of life. Inspired by her late father’s unwavering commitment to philanthropy, she embraced an enduring conviction: that equity and dignity should never be determined by circumstance. As a teenager, she pursued truth and justice with a pen, co-publishing an underground student magazine that was confiscated before it had a chance to hit the classrooms.

Her journey later led her to the United States, where she studied journalism, built a career in strategic planning and finance at Disney, and co-founded AyZar Inc. with her husband, Medi. But the pull of human stories, struggles, triumphs, and the chance to make them visible, remained.

AyZar Outreach was born from that legacy and that calling, where her vision and strategic leadership complement Medi’s pragmatic guidance, creating a partnership that drives the organization forward with both imagination and stability.

As President, she is the architect of AyZar’s ecosystem model, weaving together Participants, Partners, Advisors, and Donors into a sustainable cycle of opportunity and impact.

This ecosystem of equity is both a living tribute to her father’s legacy and a future-looking model—one she and Medi hope to see carried forward by their son and by generations yet to come.

Medi Aynechi

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Co-Founder of AyZar Outreach

Medi Aynechi grew up in Tehran, where he witnessed firsthand the stark divides in opportunity that left many without a fair chance to thrive. These early experiences instilled in him both compassion and conviction—a belief that meaningful change becomes possible when vision is paired with action. United by this empathy, he and his wife, Shirin, formed a powerful partnership devoted to empowering lives and advancing equity.

Medi went on to build a distinguished career in construction management, contributing to landmark projects with Marriott and Disney before channeling his expertise into the family’s real estate firm, AyZar Inc. Through these ventures, he not only established a strong professional legacy but also laid the foundation for the investments that would become the financial backbone of AyZar Outreach.

At AyZar Outreach, Medi’s business acumen and pragmatic leadership complement Shirin’s visionary strategy, creating a balance that fuels the organization’s growth and resilience. He is a trusted guide and steady voice of reason, offering clarity in strategy, balance in decision-making, and encouragement for bold, creative ideas. His wisdom, humility, and unwavering commitment serve as a source of inspiration for the entire team, ensuring that AyZar remains steadfast in its mission: opening doors, creating opportunity, and transforming futures.

Dean Aynechi

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General Counsel of AyZar Outreach

Dean Aynechi is a Los Angeles–based attorney whose legal craftsmanship and strategic vision mirror the dual legacy of his parents—Medi’s pragmatism and Shirin’s purposeful storytelling.

A native of California, Dean graduated at the top of his class at George Washington University Law School. His early leadership and dedication were evident during law school, where his peers elected him as a student senator for three consecutive years Over time, his reputation for advocacy and results earned him recognition as a Managing Partner at West Coast Trial Lawyers, a leading personal injury firm in Southern California. Dean has been lauded for his tenacity, legal skill, and compassion—qualities that Neama Rahmani, the firm’s president and co-founder, said made his promotion “a no‑brainer.” In just seven years, he achieved what many take decades to build.

Beyond the courtroom, Dean speaks candidly on the legal profession through his Instagram page @AttorneyProblems, where he shares the humor, frustrations, and insights of an attorney’s daily life with authenticity and wit.

At AyZar Outreach, Dean serves as General Counsel, bridging his legal expertise and business savvy to strengthen the organization’s governance and future-facing strategy. His dual role—anchoring AyZar Outreach legally while excelling as a trial lawyer—positions him to follow in his parents’ footsteps: advancing equity through both structure and story, guided by purpose and discipline.