BY J.M. LEE
Mojdeh was born in Iran, a country rich in poetry and history, yet it tested her in ways she could never have imagined. “My childhood was shaped by war, uncertainty, and the realization that nothing in life is guaranteed. At a young age, I learned survival was not simply making it through the day, but about keeping my spirit alive despite the chaos.”
At 13, she found solace in writing. “My diary became my most trusted companion, holding my fears, dreams, and the stories I was too afraid to say out loud. Writing was not just a passion; it was my survival. It gave me a voice when I had none, a sense of control when life felt unpredictable. This love for storytelling stayed with me, growing stronger with time, eventually leading to the publication of my books: I am a Big Dreamer, Yek Tan, Yek Shab (One Night, One Soul), Bonbast (Dead End), and Ba To Mehr Ham Ordibehesht Mishavad (Fall Becomes Spring with You). Each book carries a piece of my journey through pain, hope, loss, and resilience.”
Her life has been a cycle of building, losing, and rebuilding. She lived through war, fled her home, and started over more times than she can count. Immigration took her to Germany, where she attended elementary school and learned a new language. When she moved to Canada, she had to start from the ground up again. Each challenge made her stronger.
“Education became my path. In addition to my Bachelor’s degree, I hold an MBA and a PMP certification. They proved I could shape my destiny and made me think strategically, navigate business, and lead confidently. I’ve had to prove my worth twice as hard in male-dominated spaces. I have spoken in rooms where my voice was not expected to carry weight. But leadership isn’t waiting for permission. It is showing up, speaking up, and ensuring everybody hears you.”
One of the most vulnerable moments in her life was getting arrested in Iran when she was eight months pregnant, which could have broken her, but became the defining chapter of her story. “My daughter was born in an incubator, fragile yet strong, like me. From that moment on, I knew I would never give up.” Mojdeh had to fight, not just for herself, but for her daughter.
“Confidence did not come easily to me. It was built through years of failures and setbacks, through moments of doubt and uncertainty. Resiliency became the most powerful armor that protected me. It allowed me to wend my way and that of other women. The risks and challenges I faced have made me who I am today.”
As a mentor, Mojdeh seeks individuals who are passionate about breaking barriers, forging their unique paths, being steadfast despite obstacles, and are ready to fight for their dreams. “I know what it takes, unlike those who seek easy answers.”
Women still face resistance, especially in leadership. It is not easy to step into positions of power in male-dominated industries. “Women need not wait for opportunities—we must create them. We demand our place at the table; if we have no seat, we build our tables and chairs. Courage, resilience, and the ability to navigate uncertainty are not just leadership traits but survival skills.”
Motherhood has been Mojdeh’s greatest challenge and greatest joy. It changed her in ways she never expected. “It taught me patience, strength, and a new kind of love. My daughters are my most significant accomplishments, and everything I do is, in some way, for them—to show them that no matter how difficult life gets, you can always rise and thrive.”
She advises the next generation of women to “Dream big. Take up space. Speak even when your voice quivers. Do not let anyone tell you who you should be—write your inimitable story. You will face obstacles but also find strength you never knew you had.”
To her mother, “Thank you for teaching me resilience, showing me what it means to fight for your children, and proving that a woman’s strength can light the way even in the darkest times.”
Inclusion is not just a word—it is an action. “We must fight for it, build it, and ensure that every woman knows she belongs, no matter where she comes from. I am a woman, a mother, a writer, a fighter. I am proof that I will always rise, no matter how often life demands that I start over.”
