Narimon Safavi, a Chicago-based Iranian-American entrepreneur and a commentator-analyst for the radio program “Worldview” on WBEZ (Chicago Public Media, an NPR affiliate), was born in Tehran to an Azari-Iranian family. He studied chemistry and philosophy at Illinois State University and is fluent in Persian and English and proficient in Turkish and Spanish.
Nari’s experience includes creating ethical diamond mining projects/business models in several West African countries; one was financed by Tiffany & Co. He co-founded Pasfarda Art and Cultural Exchange, which builds cultural bridges and fosters dialogue between U.S. & Iran. His current project, Zaryab Art Labs, will incubate cultural entrepreneurship and institution-building with a focus on contemporary arts to create closer global linkages (launch expected in 2026).
His current volunteer activities include the Human Rights Watch-Chicago Committee and National Iranian-American Council (NIAC) ambassador. Past service on numerous boards and councils includes the Gene Siskel Film Center, Latino Cultural Center of Chicago, University of Chicago’s Harris School of Public Policy, and the DC-based Citizens for Global Solutions. .
Narimon Safavi