Maria Afsharian
Communications, Media, Video Production, Social Media, TV, Newspapers, Design, Writing, Content Creation, Journalism, Public Relations, Marketing, Human Resources, Health, Philanthropy, Non-Profit, Community Organizing, Networking, Marketing, Management & Real Estate
Experience
Owner | Bloom Five, LLC, Montclair, NJ (2013-Present)
Own and operate a virtual business communications company focusing on social media, video, content creation. Participated in President Obama’s Call to Action to assist with resume writing for the refugee crisis during his administration.
Broker Associate | EXP Realty, LLC, Montclair, NJ (2021-Present)
Provide real estate services to buyers, sellers, renters, and landlords. Certified by the National Association of Realtors as a Short Sales and Foreclosure Resource and Military Relocation Professional.
Previous broker affiliations include, Prominent Properties Sotheby’s International Realty and Keller Williams NJ Metro Group.
Northeast Regional Chair | National Iranian American Council (2015-2019)
Appointed to this volunteer position by the NIAC national organizing director. Strategized, planned, and implemented grassroots campaigns in NY, NJ, PA, MD, VA, DC. Managed 5 volunteer state captains. Built community and coalitions with other organizations to improve campaign outcomes. Educated the public about NIAC’s mission, goals, campaigns, and accomplishments. Led or assisted with successful social media campaigns that led to national news coverage. Proposed and created social media group pages for NY, NJ, PA, CT, MA. Organized local meetups for networking. Reason for leaving: To focus on entrepreneurship
NJ Captain | National Iranian American Council (2013-2019)
Appointed to this volunteer position by the NIAC national organizing director. Oversaw grassroots efforts and community building activities for New Jersey. Led successful Iran Deal campaign in NJ contributing to Senator Cory Booker agreeing to support the Iran deal. Recruited and managed members. Led voter registration drives. Planned and led meetings with local and state legislators including NJ Senators Cory Booker and Robert Menendez. Organized service events including visiting Toni’s Kitchen and First Friends NY/NJ. Reason for leaving: To focus on entrepreneurship
Various Projects | Shiraz, Iran (2005-2013)
Relocated back to my birthplace of Shiraz, Iran where I volunteered or conceptualized and implemented various philanthropic projects. I became acquainted with Shiraz University Management, Nemazi Hospital, Amir Oncology Hospital, Khodadoust Eye Hospital, Saadi Hospital, UNICEF in Tehran, UNHCR in Shiraz, Behnam Daheshpour cancer charity, Yavari charity, social entrepreneurship projects for women, and a local cancer charity Bonyad e Omid to help decorate a children’s cancer ward and build chairs that converted into beds for parents to stay with their children overnight.
Later, I realized a need for improved local cancer care and services in Shiraz. Unable to start a charity due to being bound by US Sanctions, I proposed an idea to Tehran based charity, MAHAK Charity for Children with Cancer and their families, to set up their first branch office ever in Shiraz. They agreed, and the office was named the MAHAK Shiraz Social Worker’s Office. It served as the pilot and is the model office in which other MAHAK branches in Iran are now based upon. Today, the office is still in operation and is fully funded by MAHAK. It was an honor to coordinate this project that serves hundreds of children and their families each year.
Other activities included teaching conversational English, creating, and teaching resume workshops. Participating in exhibitions and cultural events. Reason for leaving: Relocated to the US
Investigative Journalist | Dateline NBC, Washington, DC (1998-2005)
Worked my way up from a 1997 summer internship at Dateline NBC’s Washington DC Bureau in 1997 to a staff position. Worked in various roles, producer, associate producer, assistant producer, researcher, booker, logistics manager contributing to the production of 60+ segments for national television broadcast. As a result of that work, I am proud to be the recipient of several national journalism awards including an Emmy award. Reason for leaving: Relocated to Iran
Newscast Assistant | NBC News DC Affiliate -WRC (1997-1998)
Assisted morning producer and anchors with the 5 am newscast. Reason for leaving: Offered an opportunity with Dateline NBC
Marketing Assistant | USA TODAY Newspaper, Newington, VA (1995-1997)
Assisted Regional DC/VA/MD Marketing and Circulation Directors. Organized and implemented team building, community outreach, and marketing events. Reason for leaving: To pursue a career at NBC News as a Journalist
Patient and Public Relations Specialist | University Medical Center-Dimensions Breast Center, Lubbock, TX (1993-1995)
Worked with patients referred for mammograms by doctors, scheduled appointments. Provided community outreach, public relations, and helped plan special events. Reason for leaving: Relocated to DC area to explore career opportunities in media
Owner | Action Personnel Resume Services, Lubbock, TX (1988-1993)
Created and managed a successful resume service. Reason for leaving: Left for an opportunity to work in public relations
Education
American University, DC & Montgomery College, Rockville, MD (1995-1997)
Completed several courses in film, video, production & television news writing
International Business College, Lubbock, TX / 1991-1992
Computer Office Management Certificate
Lubbock Christian University, Lubbock, TX / 1985-1990
BS Business Communications, focusing on public relations and journalism
Campus Edition newspaper contributor and advertising manager
Organizations
Iranian-American Women Foundation (IAWFoundation.org)
NY Chapter Social Media Committee Member, NY Conference Committee Member
Building One America (BuildingOneAmerica.org)
Leadership Training and Community Organizing
International Association of Business Communicators (IABC.com)
National Iranian American Council (NIACouncil.org / NIACACTION.org)
Women in Film and Video
Certifications / Licenses
NJ Department of Banking and Insurance
NJ Real Estate Salesperson License. Currently pursuing Broker license.
National Association of Realtors Certifications (1) E-Pro (2) Military Relocation Specialist (3) Short Sale & Foreclosure Resource
Islamic Republic of Iran Ministry of Higher Education
Confirmation of B.S. in Business Communications degree earned in the United States
Goft-va-Shnood English Institute, Shiraz, Iran
Teaching English as a Second Language
International Business School. Lubbock, Texas
Computer office management
Specific Skills
Social Media: Content creation, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube, LinkedIn
Writing: Letters, resumes, CV’s, business communications, bios, reports, typing
Video: Basic production, planning, booking, interviewing, videotaping, transcription, editing
Web: Data mining, research, analytics, digital marketing, networking
Computer: Microsoft Office, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Google, G Suite, Apple, Mac, PC, Chrome, Safari, Explorer
Tools: Hootsuite, Buffer, Canva, Pic Monkey, iMovie
Languages
- American English, native
- Farsi or Persian, professional working proficiency
_______________________________________________________________
Maria.Afsharian@gmail.com | Montclair, NJ