Please join the Assyrian American Cultural Organization of Arizona for a special luncheon at the Arrowhead Country Club honoring some inspiring women in our community.

We are pleased to have with us the following guests:

Mrs. Mona K. Oshana is an author, activist and the president of the Phoenix-based non-profit “Power of Three” which provides Youth Mentoring, Christian ministry as well as humanitarian programs. Born in Iraq, Mona came to the United States at the age of 9, settling in Chicago, Illinois. Through her books and her weekly radio show on 1280 AM The Trumpet, she brought greater attention to the most important yet forgotten component of the current crisis in the Middle East, its people. She found her calling and slowly become recognized as a humanitarian whose eagerness to help others led her to serve alongside many resettlement agencies such as the International Rescue Committee (IRC), Lutheran charities, Catholic Charities. As a volunteer she assists as a translator, educator, mediator as well as an advocate for all migrant needs.

Ms. Romina Khananisho is currently a public affairs associate for Honeywell. She also has worked as a member of the Majority Staff of the Arizona State Senate, where she was directly involved in virtually every aspect of administering the legislative process. She was responsible for issues ranging from the state budget to the management of state agencies. Romina is a graduate of Arizona State University with undergraduate degrees in both political science and sociology, and an MBA in global management.

Dr. Ramina Jajoo, MD is currently a partner-physician at Arizona Arthritis and Rheumatology Associates, LLC and the Arizona Arthritis and Rheumatology Research, LLC as well as the Director of St. Peter’s Assyrian Academy at St. Peter's Assyrian Church of the East in Glendale, Arizona. Born in Tehran, Iran, Dr. Jajoo moved to Sydney, Australia in 1984 where she completed her high school education and obtained her Bachelor's of Medical Sciences, Bachelors of Medicine and Bachelor's of Surgery (MD equivalent) with honors from the University of New South Wales. At St. Peter's Assyrian Academy she is responsible for its day-to-day operations and played an important role in composing the school's comprehensive Assyrian language curriculum.

Dr. Nancy Bello, DO is currently a neurology resident at the University of Arizona's College of Medicine. Dr. Bello completed her Bacheror's Degree in Neuroscience from Emory University in 2006 and graduated from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2012. Dr. Bello will start a fellowship in Neuromuscular Diseases at UC San Diego in July 2016.

Mrs. Laura Kiorkis-Rondeau is the owner and operator of Gemini of Chicago Hair Salon in Peoria, Arizona. She became an entrepreneur at the age of 22 and has successfully been running the business with her twin sister and partner, Lisa Kiorkis, for over 10 years. She attended Pivot Point International and continued her education through the London Mayfair Academy, as well as on-going education locally. She has been an educator for Aquage Hair Care and continues to grow and educate her staff through an intensive “Associate Program”. She has established her salon as a pillar of the community by thriving in a sensitive economy, and supporting local organizations and charities, such as Toys for Tots, annually. In 2012 Laura and her sister Lisa produced and designed a fashion show charity event by the name of Modele Ruse for Young Arts Az that brought together five local fashion designers, local artists and entrepreneurs, and a featured artist from Pratt Institute in NYC to raise awareness and funding for art programs for Arizona’s youth. Over 200 people were in attendance and contributed to the charity. Laura actively continues to be a model citizen in her community through her business and with the support of her partner Lisa Kiorkis.