Meet Our Team
Meet the members of our board, a group of passionate individuals dedicated to providing compassionate care.
With a wide range of backgrounds and specialisations, from psychology to special education, they bring diverse perspectives and a shared dedication to supporting and guiding our work with empathy, professionalism and purpose.
Payam Azimi
Co-founder & Operations Manager
Payam is a disability advocate passionate about social justice and supporting disadvantaged communities. Growing up with his twin sister, who was born deaf, he was involved from a young age in training sessions that helped her. This early experience gave him valuable insight into the challenges faced by people with disabilities and their families.
With a background in Social Sciences and Psychology, Payam combines academic knowledge with lived experience to make a meaningful difference. Coming from a refugee background, he understands firsthand the difficulties of resettling in a new country. He recognizes the challenges people face when trying to access NDIS services—especially those dealing with cultural or language barriers. His goal is to help bridge these gaps and ensure fair access to support for all, including Aboriginal communities, women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and refugees.
Payam believes that small acts can lead to big changes, and this belief drives his commitment to creating meaningful impact and helping people live their best lives.
Shari Javadiyan
Co-founder & Managing Director
Shari brings both academic expertise and a deep passion for social justice to her role. After immigrating to Australia in 2007, she pursued a Master’s and PhD in Biotechnology and Genetics, followed by several years of dedicated research work. Together with two like-minded friends who shared her vision for equality and inclusion, Shari co-founded Rira Care to create a service that truly prioritizes people with disabilities, individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, Aboriginal and refugee communities, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
At Rira Care, the team fosters a collaborative environment where decisions are made collectively, and all team members and participants feel valued, respected, and empowered. Making even the smallest difference in people’s lives is what drives Shari in her work.
Behrang Geravand
Co-founder & Service Coordinator
Behrang holds a Master of Social Science and brings over a decade of research experience addressing social issues such as homelessness, women’s rights, drug addiction, natural disaster recovery, and sustainable development in rural areas. His work and activism have always been driven by a belief in collective action, equality, and the need to challenge systems that perpetuate exploitation and inequality.
He stands firmly against profit-driven approaches that prioritize wealth over human dignity. His passion lies in building an equal and democratic society where resources are shared fairly, and everyone can live with dignity. Currently, he is applying his experience in the disability sector, working to support one of the most vulnerable and overlooked groups in the community, and advocating for systemic change to create a truly just society.
Farhad Noori
Client Engagement Manager & Team Leader
Farhad left his career path in event management and film and media production to care for his mother after a major car accident. This lived experience started a new pathway in applying his unique skill set and experience in Disability Support Services. He is a Rira Care founding team member since its inception.
As the Client Engagement Manager and Team Leader, Farhad ensures effective communication with clients and their families to understand and address their needs and preferences. He actively engages with clients and their families to build strong, positive relationships and ensures their concerns and feedback are addressed. Farhad is highly effective in this area and is recognized for his excellent interpersonal skills and dedication to client satisfaction. He also oversees the day-to-day operations of his assigned team, ensuring compliance with company policies and procedures. Farhad manages to align his personal and moral inclusive ethics in working with Rira Care philosophy.
Ana Obradovic
Client Engagement Officer
Ana is deeply passionate about social justice, working with young people and, in her spare time, film. With nearly a decade of experience in schools, she is thrilled to bring this expertise into the disability sector.
Ana is driven by the belief that creating an accessible and inclusive world is a shared responsibility. She strives for everyone can fully engage with the richness of life. Through work in caring roles, she has gained invaluable insights and considers it a privilege to foster meaningful relationships with those she serves.
Ana is inspired by Simone de Beauvoir’s words: “One’s life has value so long as one attributes value to the life of others, by means of love, friendship, indignation, compassion.”
Razieh Abbasi
Social Media Specialist
Razieh is a sports lover, passionate cook, and animal enthusiast with eight years of teaching experience. She is now embarking on an exciting new career in social media, working closely with clients to create authentic and meaningful content that resonates.
Driven by a passion for connecting with people, staying active, and continuously learning, Razieh brings energy and empathy to everything she does. She believes deeply in the power of human connection, guided by the philosophy that “everyone is you, and you are everyone.”
Maryam Majidi
Administration Officer
Maryam Majidi believes that true well-being comes from nurturing both the body and the mind. She understands the deep connection between physical health and emotional balance, and she brings this holistic perspective into her work to support overall wellness.
A professional dancer and dedicated healthcare provider, Maryam is passionate about making a positive impact in the community. With five years of nursing experience, she combines clinical expertise with genuine compassion in her approach to care. She also believes in the transformative power of art to enhance quality of life and foster peace within the community.
Following two years of experience as a support carer, Maryam is now stepping into her new role as an Administration Officer. She is excited to apply her diverse background to improve client welfare and contribute meaningfully to the quality of services provided.
Mehrdad Gooya
Exercise Physiologist and Disability Support Worker
Exercise enthusiast, dedicated professional, and wellness advocate, Mehrdad has over 7 years of experience in exercise physiology. He is committed to helping clients achieve their best through personalised workout plans tailored to their unique needs. Each session is thoughtfully designed to support both physical and mental health.
Mehrdad believes true health starts with a personalised approach. Everyone deserves a fitness plan that fits their individual needs and goals. In support services, physical health is essential — it has a powerful impact on mental well-being and overall quality of life. Passionate about making a difference, Mehrdad takes a holistic view of wellness to help clients feel stronger, healthier, and more empowered in their daily lives.
