Zerbanoo Gifford—renowned author, human rights advocate, and founder of the ASHA Centre in the United Kingdom—has been named a Founding Fellow of the One Humanity Lab at the Center for Excellence in Public Leadership at George Washington University in Washington, D.C.
This distinguished recognition honors Zerbanoo’s decades-long commitment to humanitarian work, ethical leadership, and global dialogue. Through her life’s work, she has consistently championed the values of compassion, justice, and human dignity—building bridges across cultures and inspiring generations of changemakers.
A Call to Consciousness: Public Conversation in Washington, D.C.
As part of this recognition, Zerbanoo will headline a public event titled “A Call to Consciousness: A Conversation with Zerbanoo Gifford,” taking place on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM EDT at the George Washington University Museum and The Textile Museum in Washington, D.C.
Hosted by the One Humanity Lab in partnership with the museum, the event will explore themes of consciousness, leadership, and ethical action in a rapidly changing world. The conversation is inspired by Zerbanoo’s recent work, A Call to Consciousness, which reflects her lived experiences and her engagement with the Lab’s broader inquiry into awakened leadership.
The program will feature opening remarks by Zerbanoo, followed by a panel discussion with conductor and cultural thinker Zane Dalal and scholar Dr. Natalie Houghtby-Haddon, moderated by Dr. Ina Gjikondi, Founder and Director of One Humanity Lab. The dialogue will explore intersections of leadership, human rights, spirituality, systems thinking, and culture, offering diverse perspectives on how individuals and communities can respond meaningfully to global challenges.
The afternoon will also include an audience Q&A session, as well as a book signing and networking reception. All registered attendees will receive a complimentary copy of A Call to Consciousness.
Set within the George Washington University Museum and The Textile Museum—a space dedicated to cultural memory and civic imagination—the gathering invites participants to reflect on deeper questions: What does it mean to live, lead, and act from awakened awareness? And how can different wisdom traditions inform ethical action in a fractured world?
A New Chapter: One Humanity Lab at GWU
As a Founding Fellow of the One Humanity Lab, Zerbanoo joins a global cohort of leaders, educators, artists, and changemakers exploring new paradigms of leadership—ones that emphasize inner development, interconnectedness, and systemic transformation.
In this role, she will serve as a guide, advisor, and collaborator, contributing her decades of experience to conversations around leadership, consciousness, and global coherence. The Lab itself is dedicated to cultivating “whole-person, whole-system” leadership—bringing together diverse disciplines to address the complex challenges of our time.
Reflecting on her work, Zerbanoo has often emphasized the urgent need for integrity, long-term thinking, and a deeper sense of shared humanity in leadership—values that resonate strongly in today’s fractured global landscape.
Global Impact: ASHA Centre, ZASHA, and WZYLF
At the heart of Zerbanoo’s work is the ASHA Centre in Gloucestershire, England—an internationally recognized residential training and retreat center dedicated to peacebuilding, youth leadership, and intercultural dialogue. For over three decades, the ASHA Centre has welcomed young leaders from around the world, creating a space where diverse voices come together to explore conflict resolution, sustainability, and inner transformation.
Building on this foundation, Zerbanoo also founded ZASHA, a global initiative that supports collaborative networks, storytelling, and dialogue across communities. ZASHA seeks to amplify voices committed to social change and foster deeper cross-cultural understanding in an increasingly interconnected world.
Within the Zoroastrian community, Zerbanoo has also played a pivotal role in inspiring and nurturing the World Zoroastrian Youth Leaders Forum (WZYLF)—a transformative leadership platform for young Zoroastrians worldwide. WZYLF will welcome its third cohort of participants in May 2026, continuing its mission to cultivate a new generation of leaders grounded in service, identity, and global citizenship.
Zerbanoo’s mentorship and vision have been instrumental in shaping the program’s ethos, ensuring that it remains both rooted in tradition and responsive to the challenges of the future.
A Personal Note
To the Parsi Khabar community, Zerbanoo Gifford is more than a global leader—she is a dear friend, mentor, and guiding light. Her unwavering support, wisdom, and encouragement have touched countless lives, including many within our own community.
Her journey stands as a testament to what it means to lead with courage, compassion, and conviction—and her work continues to inspire us all to think more deeply, act more consciously, and serve more selflessly.