Shay Safarzadeh
Business, Philanthropy & Tech Expert
Globally recognized as The Safar Twins, Shay and Shabnam are visionary entrepreneurs and cultural changemakers whose influence spans technology, education, fashion and global philanthropy. At the intersection of innovation and impact, they’ve built category-defining companies and championed systemic change across industries. As founders, they’ve pioneered A.I.-driven solutions that break barriers in healthcare education and workforce development. In 2020, they launched Advanced eClinical, which rapidly became one of the country’s fastest-growing online medical education platforms. In 2024, they co-founded Externi, an A.I.-powered SaaS platform streamlining externship placements and compliance workflows—positioning them as leaders in the future of workforce technology. Their philanthropic mission is equally bold. Through the Safar Global Foundation, which they founded to formalize and scale their impact, the Safar Twins are advancing girls’ education globally—building programs that break generational cycles and unlock new futures. As global tastemakers, they also use their visual presence to spark conversations, influence culture, and shift how power and beauty coexist in the modern world. Equally known for their work in fashion diplomacy, the twins use style as a tool for storytelling and advocacy, blending aesthetics with purpose to reshape how power and beauty coexist. Their influence has been recognized by global media, with features in Harper’s Bazaar Arabia, Cosmopolitan, Grazia Vogue and more, celebrating their visionary leadership, cultural impact, and mission-driven presence on the world stage.
