Empower
a new generation
Students can learn from mentors from top employers
Who We Are
We’re a passionate group of former international students and professionals that know how hard it is to be successful in the U.S.
Our Leadership
Sara O. Ahmed
Executive Director
Sara is an experienced educator, entrepreneur, and academic researcher. She is currently the Executive Director of the Parachute Project. She is also a Ph.D. candidate in the Anthropology and Education program at Teachers College, Columbia University. She earned an Ed.M. in International Education Policy from Harvard Graduate School of Education and a B.Sc. in Computer Science from the American University in Cairo. Prior to coming to the US, she co-founded Elm International School in Egypt. She is a seasoned educator, facilitator, and presenter at educational conferences and workshops.
Ali Ramezanzadeh
Legal Counsel
Ali is a highly-skilled lawyer currently serving as pro bono Counsel at The Parachute Project, and Chief Compliance Officer at Ellis Technologies, a premier, tech-enabled immigration law firm. With a deep background in immigration law, Ali brings a specialized perspective to his responsibilities, having previously served in the immigration and global mobility legal tech space, helping guide two successful corporate acquisitions. Prior to that, Ali worked as a Senior Attorney at Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, the world’s largest immigration law firm. Earlier in his legal career, Ali served as a Congressional Aide and Counsel to Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren, specializing in immigration policy and casework.