Sahar Azizian
Washington,D.C.
Summary
Dynamic professional with a proven track record at Meridian International Center, excelling in qualitative research and Salesforce management. Adept at enhancing donor engagement and orchestrating high-profile events, I leverage data analysis and strong communication skills to drive impactful outcomes. Committed to fostering collaboration and achieving strategic goals in fast-paced environments.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
Work History
Head Bartender
Barrel House Cafe & Bar
Washington, D.C.
09.2025 - Current
- Streamlined bartender onboarding and training programs to enhance staff readiness.
- Led bar operations for a high-volume venue, exceeding revenue and profit targets.
- Curated signature cocktails and seasonal menus based on guest feedback and trends.
- Coordinated special events to boost customer engagement and increase profits.
External Affairs & Institutional Advancement Fellow
Meridian International Center
Washington, D.C.
06.2024 - 01.2025
- Developed over 20 research briefings to assist executive leadership in high-level decision-making.
- Coordinated logistics for annual Meridian Ball, managing 30 embassy-hosted dinners with over 600 attendees.
- Facilitated engagement between top-level operatives across various sectors.
- Oversaw administration and logistics for more than 15 events with foreign diplomats and U.S. officials.
- Utilized Salesforce database to enhance donor engagement and streamline event management.
- Drafted and copyedited external communications and internal materials to support donor engagement efforts.
Communications Associate
Crossroads Campaigns
Washington, D.C.
06.2021 - 07.2022
- Drafted and distributed daily press releases on immigration policy to legal and media stakeholders.
- Supervised nine student interns, managing projects such as social media postings and canvassing campaigns.
- Coordinated communications strategy for AILA's national conference, enhancing donor engagement and visibility.
- Scheduled and prepared Board Members and clients for over 50 congressional meetings.
Deputy Communications Director
Caroline Simmons for Mayor
Stamford, C.T.
01.2021 - 04.2021
- Engaged 10,000 Stamford constituents by developing and editing post content with strategic hashtags.
- Analyzed performance metrics for over 40 social media posts and presented findings in meetings.
- Coordinated outreach initiatives such as #SmallBusinessTuesdays to support community leaders.
- Monitored digital engagement to reinforce campaign messaging and assisted with local media outreach.
Canvasser
Care in Action
Washington, D.C.
04.2020 - 11.2020
- Led team of 14 volunteers to develop calling schedules and draft volunteer scripts.
- Educated and persuaded disenfranchised WOC/BIPOC voters on importance of voter participation.
- Assisted voters with registration and polling location identification, achieving 6% increase in turnout.
- Coordinated Get Out the Vote campaign for November 2020 local, state, and federal elections.
- Created internal demographic databases utilizing NGP Van, Open VPB, and Hub dialer.
- Tracked engagement metrics and voter contact data to enhance GOTV strategy and reporting.
- Refined GOTV strategies based on analysis of engagement metrics and voter contact data.
Education
B.A. - Political Science
American University
Washington, D.C.12.2020
Skills
- Qualitative and quantitative research
- Salesforce management
- Data analysis
- Policy writing
- Fluent in Farsi (Dari)
- Policy analysis
Websites
Languages
- English, Fluency
- Dari, Native Speaker
Timeline
Head Bartender
Barrel House Cafe & Bar
09.2025 - Current
External Affairs & Institutional Advancement Fellow
Meridian International Center
06.2024 - 01.2025
Communications Associate
Crossroads Campaigns
06.2021 - 07.2022
Deputy Communications Director
Caroline Simmons for Mayor
01.2021 - 04.2021
Canvasser
Care in Action
04.2020 - 11.2020
B.A. - Political Science
American University