Our Story
We are a team shaped by our diverse immigrant backgrounds, personal experiences of displacement, and the relentless desire to create an education system that serves every child, especially those from marginalized backgrounds.
Our mission to revolutionize literacy is driven by a deep understanding of students' struggles and the power of education to transform lives. Each of us brings a unique perspective, grounded in our lived experiences, making our commitment to equity and personalized learning a true calling for each of us.
Our Team
Amin Sharifi, Founding Director
Amin founded Enya after observing brilliant immigrant students in Vancouver struggling with the traditional education system. As an educator, he witnessed firsthand how students who spoke multiple languages were often labelled as "behind" simply because they couldn't immediately master English. Enya is his response to this problem. A way to ensure that no student, especially those from immigrant backgrounds, is ever left behind again.
[email protected]
Anita Nasimi, Lead Developer & Product Strategist
Anita drives the development of Enya's innovative learning model. Having grown up facing the challenges of navigating a new language and culture, she intimately understands the shortcomings of traditional education systems for students like herself. Now, she is leveraging her expertise in tech-driven educational initiatives to bridge that gap.
[email protected]
Sepehr Fazeli, Backend Developer
Sepehr's prior experience with government data systems has influenced his approach to building secure, scalable infrastructure for Enya. He prioritizes the protection of students' data through the AI running our platform, fully aware of our responsibility to safeguard our users' privacy.
[email protected]
Andrew Li, Frontend Developer
Andrew brings Enya's algorithms to life with interactive, game-like interfaces. His goal is to make learning enjoyable and playful, alleviating the pressure often associated with traditional education. By prioritizing user experience, Andrew ensures that students remain engaged and motivated throughout their learning journey.
[email protected]
Akinloluwa Adedijo, Design Engineer
Akin designs interfaces that prioritize simplicity and tranquillity. His design background focuses on creating a sense of ease for children who may feel overwhelmed by technology. He ensures that every interaction with Enya is empowering rather than stressful.
[email protected]
Nikita Shutkov, Learning Research & Curriculum Lead
Nikita Shutkov comes from a background in cognitive science, and serves as the Learning Research & Curriculum Lead at Enya Learning. In this role, Nikita bridges research and practice by translating cognitive science into inclusive, trauma-informed curriculum design for diverse learners. He leads user research efforts, mentors curriculum contributors, and collaborates across teams to embed neurodiversity awareness, formative assessment, and adaptive learning strategies into Enya's Personalized Adaptive Model.
[email protected]
Shahriar Kabir, Full Stack Software Engineer
Kabir is a full-stack software engineer passionate about building systems that serve people, especially learners navigating complex educational journeys. At Enya, he helps engineer the platforms and tools behind our Personalized Adaptive Model, designed to support immigrant and refugee youth through culturally responsive, AI-powered learning experiences
[email protected]
Advisory Board
Roman Nurpeissov, Partnerships and Legal Affairs Advisor
Roman brings over two decades of legal expertise and a strong commitment to education and community building to Enya Learning. A licensed attorney in New York and BC, he holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Michigan and an LL.M. from Vanderbilt University. Passionate about public education, Roman has been actively involved in West Vancouver’s school system and Parent Advisory Councils. His global background and dedication to equitable access to education make him a valuable guide in shaping Enya’s legal strategies and institutional partnerships.
[email protected]
Ayda Niknami, Creative Director | Arts Program
Art was Ayda's first language after her displacement. As a lecturer at Alexander College, she has witnessed how storytelling can transform lives. She incorporates this powerful tool into Enya's curriculum, designing frameworks that help students discover their voice through writing. Her work has impacted students in seven Vancouver schools, where her cross-cultural storytelling methods have become a core part of our approach.
[email protected]
Saba Niakhalili, Director | Health & Wellness Program
Saba's background in fitness and nutrition informs her work at Enya, where she focuses on the holistic needs of our students. Her programs provide not just physical energy but the mental clarity needed for literacy development. Saba believes that hungry kids can't learn, which is why she's built meal kits and mindfulness breaks into our system to ensure students are fueled for success.
[email protected]
Join Our Team
At Enya, we're always looking for passionate, mission-driven individuals who are committed to transforming education. If you're interested in being part of our team, please fill out the form below. We'd love to hear from you.