Aziz Dehkan grew up in New York City and earned a Biological Sciences degree from Rutgers University in 1976. He built a passive-solar house, started one of New Jersey’s early organic farms, and later worked in hazardous waste disposal. Aziz also served on his local planning board and two nonprofit boards focused on poverty reduction.
As an executive manager, he has brought a non-hierarchical management style to various many social and environmental organizations, including such as the Humane Society of the U.S., NYC Coalition for the Homeless, STRIVE, The Fortune Society, Mother Jones, Peace Action Network of NY State, the NYC Community Garden Coalition, and the CT Roundtable on Climate and Jobs. In his role as a community organizer, he was instrumental on the steering committees for the People’s Climate Movement rallies in New York City, Washington, D.C., and #Sandy5. Aziz continues to be dedicated to advancing progressive solutions that foster justice, equality, diversity, and inclusiveness.
Aziz is a committed pacifist who paradoxically enjoys boxing for its challenging workout. He is passionate about cooking, American roots music — especially the Grateful Dead — live theater, and the Yankees. He dreams of a free Iran and appreciates the positive effects of ocean air.
Barbara Stanley Moss has a diverse background in writing, editing, design, and research. Renowned as a gifted wordsmith, she has also garnered a wide reputation (not of her own creation) as “cosmic librarian” — for unearthing critical pieces of information.
Her career began in film production where she managed auditions and reviewed scripts for the team that had just produced ‘Pumping Iron.’ From there, Barbara entered the sphere of marketing and branding, where she immersed herself in naming programs, annual reports, bios, print collateral, web content, technical guides, and more. Among her affiliations were Lippincott & Margulies, FutureBrand, and Verse Group.
Over time, Barbara gradually redirected her attention to artists, performers, and nonprofits, where she felt her communications could make a more rewarding difference, and where she is delighted to be focused today. She balances these activities with nonfiction-writing, poetry, artmaking, and gardening.