Meet the Team!
Sahar Shariati, Co-Founder
Sahar (she/her) leads the Rawr for Kian volunteer team and is the liaison for the Research Fund at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. She is a mom to Yara and Kian, and Mike’s partner in crime. Her inner dinosaur is a vegetarian T-Rex (RAWRRRRRRR). She started this non-profit after realizing how underfunded pediatric cancer research and treatment initiatives are. To learn more about her journey, check out this Triggered to Life Podcast episode.
Neda Pishdad, Board Member
Born and raised in Northern Virginia, Neda received her Bachelors in Psychology from George Mason University and her Master of Arts in Counseling from Marymount University. Having a special bond with Kian, she was often with him during his hospitalizations and was present when he took his last breaths. This bond motivated her to serve as a Board Member where she coordinates gift giving and outreach.
Jasmin Shariati, Board Member
Jasmin was raised in Northern Virginia and has her Bachelors in Business Management and Marketing from Penn State. She is Kian’s aunt and with pediatric cancer hitting close to home, she wanted to help in any way possible to help fund the search for better treatment options and help other families enduring such difficult times.
Kristin Maynard, Board Member
Kristin received her Bachelor of Science in Marketing and Bachelor of Art in Communications from Virginia Tech and has resided in the D.C. metro area for over ten years. Having a passion for working with local non-profits and being friends with Neda for many years, she witnessed first hand the impact Kian made on the lives of those he touched in such a short time and was moved to help spread awareness and support other families facing childhood cancers in his honor. Kristin currently serves as a Board Member where she helps coordinate fundraising and outreach. Her favorite "Rawr" dino is a T-Rex.
Michael Munoz, Co-Founder
Michael Munoz (he/him) is the co-founder of Rawr for Kian and is the creative and driving mind behind the community support programs. Mike is also Kian and Yara’s Dad (or Baba as they would say), and Sahar’s partner in crime. His inner dinosaur is a pterodactyl which suits Mike’s love of exploring! He was driven to start this non-profit after experiencing firsthand the devastating toll caretaking has on families in treatment.
Nils Swanson, Board Member
Nils holds a BA in Business Operations from Washington State University and JD from The University of Texas at Austin. Kian was the first small human that Nils really got to know, and he would like to think they were rather fond of each other.
Saman Zaribaf, Board Member
Saman has his bachelors from George Mason University and currently resides in Northern Virginia. He wants to help support research for a positive outcome for other families. All love for Kian.