When did you start at Weber Shandwick?
I started in the winter of 2019 but in Los Angeles; it was a perfect 75 degree, sunny day.
What’s the best thing you’ve ever seen happen inside the Weber Shandwick offices?
The collaborative and community nature of Weber Shandwick during/after the pandemic has been pretty remarkable. Not only did we continue to conduct excellent work and bring about incredible ideas, but we came together to support one another during a difficult time. The people here are truly THE BEST!
In five words or less, how would you describe your Weber Shandwick colleagues?
Smart AF, creative, ambitious, kind
What’s the coolest (or weirdest) place a project has taken you?
Healthcare is full of weird stuff — from looking at poop and gut microbiome research to a metaverse experience around needles in your eye to treating depression with psychedelics. Science is cool, kids!
If you weren’t working in this industry, what would you want to do?
Continue my career as a science consultant for TV shows.
What’s your favorite thing about Los Angeles?
The culture, diversity, mountains, beach, museums, food, people. We have it all. #WestCoastBestCoast
What’s your favorite restaurant in Los Angeles?
There are so many great places to eat in LA! We have amazing hole-in-the wall places (Tacos Chapala or Guerrilla Tacos), sushi (Sugarfish is a must!), pasta (Pasta Sisters or Il Pastaio) and many more (Girl and the Goat, Bavel, Bestia).
Oh and also Persian food (Shamshiri) — the smell takes me straight back to Iran. Let me know if you want a dinner buddy!
What’s something surprising people might not know about you?
I used to want to be a choreographer until I realized I can’t dance.
What’s your favorite way to unwind in your free time?
Getting out in nature (especially running or backpacking) gives me the clarity I need to be grounded and creative. There’s even neuroscience studies about it!
Where would you love to travel in the world to gain inspiration?
After these last two years of the pandemic, my travel list is long! Patagonia, Mexico City, Croatia, Alaska, Shanghai, and Bali are top contenders.
“Start with the science and let the story follow. But don’t forget that at the end of it all exists a person.”
Panthea Heydari
Vice President, Scientific Communications
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