As the eighth child out of 9 of a family of immigrants who escaped the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in the late 70s, Soraya Ahmadyar has called California her home for her entire life. She attained her bachelors degree in business administration and later on pursued a masters in public administration and public policy where she now works for a local public institution.

Growing up, balancing her cultural roots while assimilating to the new American values has always been a challenge. Soraya has inherited a unique worldview that tries to balance her Afghan identity with her American values while also trying to embody her Muslim identity in all facets of her life. Her professional career has led her to dedicate her life to a life of public service. From managing her own non-profit to working with the American University of Afghanistan and the American Chamber of Commerce in Afghanistan and now working in Human Resources for the capitol of Silicon Valley, Soraya is striving to raise two boys with solid core values to be invaluable members of both their home community here in America and the world community at-large.