Sima Ladjevardian
President, Women’s Entrepreneurship InstituteSima Ladjevardian brings over 25 years of leadership experience spanning the private, governmental, and nonprofit sectors. A lawyer, entrepreneur, and strategic advisor, she has spent her career at the intersection of business, policy, and community advancement—working to expand economic opportunity for all.
Ms. Ladjevardian came to the United States with her family after fleeing political persecution and upheaval. Her experience as an immigrant, shaped her belief in the power of opportunity and hard work inspiring a lifelong dedication to ensuring that all can access the tools they need to build secure and independent futures.
She has successfully managed her own law practice while co-owning and advising family-run businesses in manufacturing, construction and investment. Her work in the private sector is matched by deep public service, including a federal appointment as Regional Director for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, where she helped shape and implement policy across a five-state and 68 Federally recognized tribes. She also served as Chair of the National Women’s Business Council, where she championed initiatives to increase capital access and business ownership for women entrepreneurs nationwide. She is an experienced board leader and currently serves as a Trustee of Harris Health System and the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.
A skilled convener and connector, Ms. Ladjevardian is known for bridging the worlds of business, policy, and philanthropy and her ability to build cross-sector partnerships and mobilize resources for systemic change. She is the Co-Founder and President of the Women’s Entrepreneurship Institute (WEI) a national non-profit that fuels economic growth through data-driven research and resources on the power of women’s participation. She earned her B.A. in Business/Economics from UCLA and her J.D. from Hastings College of the Law, and is fluent in French, Farsi, and Spanish.