About Us
Powered by IIE, RISEUS has launched the first of a series of grant programs for Iranian students studying in the United States experiencing financial stress. This initial tranche is targeted for completion by June 2026 and will provide awardees with up to $5,000 of emergency assistance. We will announce future grant series as the needs arise. We believe that by supporting these exceptional students, we are helping to build a brighter future for the global Iranian community.
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Our Founder
Laya Khadjavi is a seasoned finance executive with over 40 years of experience leading global businesses at institutions including Morgan Stanley and Canyon Partners. She continues to serve at the board level while focusing her time on philanthropic initiatives supporting women and youth, particularly those connected to her native Iran.​
She is a 2025 Fellow of Harvard University’s Advanced Leadership Initiative, where she focuses on social impact. Laya serves on the Board of Trustees of the Institute of International Education (IIE), the Board of Directors of the Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian Americans (PAAIA), and advisory boards at Harvard Kennedy School’s Carr-Ryan Center for Human Rights and the Iranian American Women Foundation (IAWF). She is also a member of Brown University’s President’s Leadership Council and the Center for Middle East Studies Advisory Council.
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She holds a BS in Applied Mathematics-Economics from Brown University and an MBA from Columbia University.​
In 2008, Laya received The Ellis Island Medal of Honor Award.
Laya's Story
Laya Khadjavi came to the United States from Iran in 1978 as a high school student, intending to complete her education and return home. The 1979 revolution changed that path permanently. Forced into political exile, she never returned.
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She rebuilt her life in the United States, supported by family, education, and opportunity. That experience shaped her conviction: Access to education, networks, and opportunity determines outcomes.
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For decades, she has watched a different reality unfold for many Iranian youth, both inside Iran and in the diaspora, where talent is abundant, but access is not.
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Her work today is driven by a clear mission: Expand access and create pathways - personal, financial, and professional - for the next generation to realize their potential.
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RISEUS Nomination Committee
RISEUS Nomination Committee will review all grant applications and recommend nominees to the Institute of International Education (IIE) for final selection.
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