Describe what your upbringing was like- e.g. the environment you grew up in, whether or not you have a religious background, were you taught certain morals, etc.
I was born in war-time Iran in 1982, the son of an Iranian mother and a Norwegian father. Raised in a household of UN Diplomats, I was exposed at an early age to the harsh realities of war and poverty. At the same time my parents ensured I saw the incredible resilience and strength of the human spirit, from the Afghan refugees taking shelter on the Iran-Iraq border, to the incredible generosity and openness of Albanian refugees struggling to make a living in modern Greece, still proud, still at peace.
I grew up in a mixed-religion, mixed-culture environment. My father was an extremely spiritual man, devoted to his faith yet unattached to the institution that had grown around it. My mother had come from a religious household, yet shared my father’s disinterest in traditional institutions. I was fortunate to be allowed therefore to choose my own path, guided and not forced to find my own beliefs and faith. Along the way both parents made the effort to instill what they saw as the basic tenants of morality and human rights, unsurprising considering their line of work.
Having been brought up around the world, along the way picking up an American accent, a French name, a Fijian disposition and a love of all languages, not to mention a European appreciation of food, my mom and I eventually settled in Australia after the untimely passing of my dad.
In spite of having spent the majority of my academic career in French-language schools, I eventually established himself at Canberra Boys Grammar, diving into all the options presented to me and taking advantage of every opportunity to expand my understanding of and appreciation for other cultures.
I then attended the University of Canberra, studying both Law and Journalism, where in 2003 was named the President of the Isaacs Law Society. In 2005, I received a scholarship to attend the University of Georgia, USA, where I was the 1st undergraduate student admitted into the prestigious UGA School of Law. My concentration was international civil, criminal and human rights law, presenting a paper on the scope, function and jurisdiction of international law on sovereign states.
On completion of my semester at UGA, I was accepted into the Cornell University International Comparative Law Program at Universite Paris-I Sorbonne in Paris, France.
On return to Australia, I completed my Journalism degree, and began full-time employment as the Legislation Officer for the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing in Canberra, while continuing my legal studies.
In 2007, I was accepted as an Australian Youth Ambassador for Development, and spent the next year working with Habitat for Humanity International, Bangladesh. From creating a marketing and fundraising platform to Program Evaluation to the development of Habitat Bangladesh’s first disaster rehabilitation program, I immersed himself in Bangladeshi language and culture, and successfully helped revamp the Resource Development Department of the organisation, ensuring the future sustainability of the program.
Having been brought up around the world, along the way picking up an American accent, a French name, a Fijian disposition and a love of all languages, not to mention a European appreciation of food, my mom and I eventually settled in Australia after the untimely passing of my dad.
In spite of having spent the majority of my academic career in French-language schools, I eventually established himself at Canberra Boys Grammar, diving into all the options presented to me and taking advantage of every opportunity to expand my understanding of and appreciation for other cultures.
I then attended the University of Canberra, studying both Law and Journalism, where in 2003 was named the President of the Isaacs Law Society. In 2005, I received a scholarship to attend the University of Georgia, USA, where I was the 1st undergraduate student admitted into the prestigious UGA School of Law. My concentration was international civil, criminal and human rights law, presenting a paper on the scope, function and jurisdiction of international law on sovereign states.
On completion of my semester at UGA, I was accepted into the Cornell University International Comparative Law Program at Universite Paris-I Sorbonne in Paris, France.
On return to Australia, I completed my Journalism degree, and began full-time employment as the Legislation Officer for the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing in Canberra, while continuing my legal studies.
In 2007, I was accepted as an Australian Youth Ambassador for Development, and spent the next year working with Habitat for Humanity International, Bangladesh. From creating a marketing and fundraising platform to Program Evaluation to the development of Habitat Bangladesh’s first disaster rehabilitation program, I immersed himself in Bangladeshi language and culture, and successfully helped revamp the Resource Development Department of the organisation, ensuring the future sustainability of the program.
Do you have any role models/influences?
I’ve always been influenced by people who are not only great thinkers and doers, but great speakers as well. There are so many wonderful people doing great work in the world, and those who can at the same time inspire others have always held a fascination for me.
My father was always a big mentor. He held a high position in a stressful job with the United Nations, often working 7 days a week, coordinating and concerned for staff and clients across South Asia, Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific, yet he was ALWAYS home for dinner, and he ALWAYS made time to discuss the day’s current events with me. From him I learned that leadership is not about telling others what to do; it’s about caring about and for others enough that you think nothing of sacrificing your time and energy to ensure they are looked after. He would speak to me like I was a grown up, ask my opinions on things and really listen to my responses. His patience and passion are what I try to use most in my leadership style.
My mother to this day mentors me on taking initiative, not accepting the status quo and working hard to ensure everyone around you stays motivated. It’s the biggest reason why we are now Partners in Johannessen Legal.
I am a passionate follower of Bill Clinton, for the work he is doing with Clinton Initiative, Jay-Z, for changing not only the music industry but also breaking down barriers no one thought possible, and expanding an empire built on pure hustle. I am awe-inspired by Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King Jnr, blow away by the Dalai Lama and constantly inspired by President Obama. The generosity and focus of Bill Gates and Warren Buffett, the sense of duty and purpose of Generals Petreus and Powell, the strength of character of Lincoln and Franklin, Roosevelt and Churchill, the overwhelming perseverance of Gandhi, Emerson and Armstrong, these are all people who inspire and motivate me on a daily basis.
Describe the work environment or culture in which you are most productive and happy
I love being challenged. I need to be questioned and tested and have my back to the wall to be at my best, so I try to surround myself with the best and the brightest so that my own skills, knowledge and dedication is constantly reviewed and renewed.
Describe your role as CEO.
My position as CEO of Big Bang Ballers involves 5 core activities:
1. Board Administration and Support -- Supports operations and administration of Board by advising and informing Board members, interfacing between Board and staff, and supporting Board's evaluation of chief executive
2. Program, Product and Service Delivery -- Oversees design, marketing, promotion, delivery and quality of programs
2. Program, Product and Service Delivery -- Oversees design, marketing, promotion, delivery and quality of programs
3. Financial, Tax, Risk and Facilities Management -- Recommends yearly budget for Board approval and prudently manages organization's resources within those budget guidelines according to current laws and regulations
4. Human Resource Management -- Effectively manages the human resources of the organization according to authorized personnel policies and procedures that fully conform to current laws and regulations
5. Community and Public Relations -- Assures the organization and its mission, programs, products and services are consistently presented in strong, positive image to relevant stakeholders and potential donors and volunteers
6. Fundraising -- Oversees fundraising planning and implementation, including identifying resource requirements, researching funding sources, establishing strategies to approach funders, submitting proposals and administrating fundraising records and documentation
4. Human Resource Management -- Effectively manages the human resources of the organization according to authorized personnel policies and procedures that fully conform to current laws and regulations
5. Community and Public Relations -- Assures the organization and its mission, programs, products and services are consistently presented in strong, positive image to relevant stakeholders and potential donors and volunteers
6. Fundraising -- Oversees fundraising planning and implementation, including identifying resource requirements, researching funding sources, establishing strategies to approach funders, submitting proposals and administrating fundraising records and documentation
Of course being part of a small, young, energetic not for profit means I’m hands-on in every aspect of the organization, including delivery of our programs as well as being the face of our programs.
Why did you want to start BBB? Are there any factors that influenced this (e.g. your upbringing, etc)?
It was while on the AYAD assignment, through the weathering of a devastating cyclone and the pressures of the position, that “The Original 4”, including myself, created the Big Bang Ballers.
From just a team to a squad to a registered NGO, the Big Bangs grew from 4 boys playing basketball to a worldwide organisation using basketball to fight youth poverty and social disadvantage.
It all began on a dusty basketball court in Bangladesh.
I’ve always felt as though I’m not doing enough, as if there is so much more to give, and so little time to do so. My friends joke that I never sleep; not so funny when it’s the truth.
I always wanted to work in International Development, since as far back as I can remember. I can still see myself sitting across from my father in his office, a giant oak desk between us, papers and files strung about, staff rushing in and out, my dad dealing with the latest refugee crisis to hit. He was the Regional Representative for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, at a time when internally displaced people around the world seemed an unfortunate norm; with major wars on every continent, it seemed an unending dilemma.
I sat across from him, in a small leather chair, my Asterix comic in one hand, in French of course, a sandwich in the other. My dad looked up from his papers, stood up, came around the desk, ruffled my hair, checked which one I was reading then went back to work.
He didn’t say a word. He didn’t need to. He never once made me doubt his dedication to his work, his family, his dedication to me.
How can you not want to follow in those footsteps?
My father passed away 11 days after my 12th birthday, and I found myself thinking more and more of him while in Bangladesh. After his passing I turned to basketball to keep my strength; I played every waking moment I could, losing myself in the game and the situations.
Now I found myself in one of the poorest countries on earth, one least able to help itself, which had just been hit by the worst cyclone in 3 decades. On visiting the worst affected areas, I found myself at times so overwhelmed by the pain and destruction, the loss and helplessness felt by ordinary people that all I could do was force myself to think of those days in Greece, when a court, a ball and a basket were all it took to get me through the hurt.
I found myself getting even less sleep, if that was possible, and working even harder to try to secure funding to rebuild homes and villages, campaigning as if my life depended on it to draw attention and support to that part of the world, debated and argued and yelled at and cursed so many different heads of mission and government officials for never implementing preventative measures so this could never happen again…
One night in Dhaka, when it all got too much, I ran into someone who told me of a basketball court… I had found a court in my 1st week in the country, thanks to another Australian, but had found no ballers, no games. I hesitantly made my way to this place, this dusty, downtrodden, cracked court with no lights, no lines, no shelter… and found my family.
I met a Bangladeshi kid who had played for the national team.
I met a Frenchman working for a telecommunications company.
Another Frenchman, working for the French Economic Mission, moved in across the hall from me.
These 3 became my team, my outlet.
After playing with locals for a couple of weeks we knew there was huge demand for a tournament; knowing the only way we could really compete was to do it ourselves, we organised “Hoops for Habitat”, a charity tournament to raise money for Habitat for Humanity. We were told we couldn’t secure a court; we ended up convincing the International School, Dhaka to lend us theirs. We were told no foreigners would come; we had 12 teams full of embassy and company staff participate. We were told no locals would come; we had 14 teams made up of locals from all parts of town, people who traditionally never mingled. We were told no females would come, not in that culture; 4 teams solely of girls showed up, ready to play.
Our success that day fuelled our every activity thereafter; we coached teams, created tournaments, sponsored other teams and groups who wanted to run tournaments. We helped the Bangladesh Basketball Federation promote a tournament, we ran camps and clinics at schools and orphanages, all while increasing our volunteer base across the board, from school-kids, both foreign and local, to adults from all walks of life, all different types of communities and cultures… we brought food and clothing and basketballs and school materials to schools and orphanages around the city, along the way creating partnerships and establishing teams in every corner of Dhaka.
Today we work in Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Nepal, Philippines, Australia and Papua New Guinea, expanding our teams, our reach and our activities day by day. We have 11 Board Members, a long list of organisations and individuals wanting to partner with is, and a bright future.
From just a team to a squad to a registered NGO, the Big Bangs grew from 4 boys playing basketball to a worldwide organisation using basketball to fight youth poverty and social disadvantage.
It all began on a dusty basketball court in Bangladesh.
I’ve always felt as though I’m not doing enough, as if there is so much more to give, and so little time to do so. My friends joke that I never sleep; not so funny when it’s the truth.
I always wanted to work in International Development, since as far back as I can remember. I can still see myself sitting across from my father in his office, a giant oak desk between us, papers and files strung about, staff rushing in and out, my dad dealing with the latest refugee crisis to hit. He was the Regional Representative for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, at a time when internally displaced people around the world seemed an unfortunate norm; with major wars on every continent, it seemed an unending dilemma.
I sat across from him, in a small leather chair, my Asterix comic in one hand, in French of course, a sandwich in the other. My dad looked up from his papers, stood up, came around the desk, ruffled my hair, checked which one I was reading then went back to work.
He didn’t say a word. He didn’t need to. He never once made me doubt his dedication to his work, his family, his dedication to me.
How can you not want to follow in those footsteps?
My father passed away 11 days after my 12th birthday, and I found myself thinking more and more of him while in Bangladesh. After his passing I turned to basketball to keep my strength; I played every waking moment I could, losing myself in the game and the situations.
Now I found myself in one of the poorest countries on earth, one least able to help itself, which had just been hit by the worst cyclone in 3 decades. On visiting the worst affected areas, I found myself at times so overwhelmed by the pain and destruction, the loss and helplessness felt by ordinary people that all I could do was force myself to think of those days in Greece, when a court, a ball and a basket were all it took to get me through the hurt.
I found myself getting even less sleep, if that was possible, and working even harder to try to secure funding to rebuild homes and villages, campaigning as if my life depended on it to draw attention and support to that part of the world, debated and argued and yelled at and cursed so many different heads of mission and government officials for never implementing preventative measures so this could never happen again…
One night in Dhaka, when it all got too much, I ran into someone who told me of a basketball court… I had found a court in my 1st week in the country, thanks to another Australian, but had found no ballers, no games. I hesitantly made my way to this place, this dusty, downtrodden, cracked court with no lights, no lines, no shelter… and found my family.
I met a Bangladeshi kid who had played for the national team.
I met a Frenchman working for a telecommunications company.
Another Frenchman, working for the French Economic Mission, moved in across the hall from me.
These 3 became my team, my outlet.
After playing with locals for a couple of weeks we knew there was huge demand for a tournament; knowing the only way we could really compete was to do it ourselves, we organised “Hoops for Habitat”, a charity tournament to raise money for Habitat for Humanity. We were told we couldn’t secure a court; we ended up convincing the International School, Dhaka to lend us theirs. We were told no foreigners would come; we had 12 teams full of embassy and company staff participate. We were told no locals would come; we had 14 teams made up of locals from all parts of town, people who traditionally never mingled. We were told no females would come, not in that culture; 4 teams solely of girls showed up, ready to play.
Our success that day fuelled our every activity thereafter; we coached teams, created tournaments, sponsored other teams and groups who wanted to run tournaments. We helped the Bangladesh Basketball Federation promote a tournament, we ran camps and clinics at schools and orphanages, all while increasing our volunteer base across the board, from school-kids, both foreign and local, to adults from all walks of life, all different types of communities and cultures… we brought food and clothing and basketballs and school materials to schools and orphanages around the city, along the way creating partnerships and establishing teams in every corner of Dhaka.
Today we work in Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Nepal, Philippines, Australia and Papua New Guinea, expanding our teams, our reach and our activities day by day. We have 11 Board Members, a long list of organisations and individuals wanting to partner with is, and a bright future.
Have there been any obstacles you’ve had to overcome to get BBB where it is today? If so, what, and how did you overcome them?
Starting the Big Bang Ballers has been difficult, wrought with barriers not only in terms of setting up the organization, but also in the development and implementation of our programs. We’ve faced corrupt officials, gangs unwilling to relinquish hold over an area, our kids becoming very sick, programs not working well, if at all, even safety concerns over our volunteers and staff.
We’ve always gotten through the difficult times by relying on each other, by using each other’s expertise and most importantly not allowing the difficulties or frustrations to stop our progress. Our mentality has always been that we can’t change what has happened, so there’s not much benefit to anyone to dwell on what has occurred, nor does it make sense to allow the problem, barrier or difficulty to overwhelm what we’re trying to achieve. The only way to move forward is to take another step, so even though that may be difficult and at times hard to contemplate, the simple fact is that it has to be taken, and no one but us can take that step.
What factor(s) kept you motivated in these situations?
I’m constantly motivated by the end goal. It’s easy to become demotivated and lose sight of what you were trying to achieve, but I’ve found that making the conscious effort to visualize my goal is often the best way to reinvigorate my passion and motivation to get something done. Reading about the people who inspire me, knowing what they have been through and how they deal with difficulties has been a great way to learn how to deal with my own obstacles.
What factor(s) motivate you now?
I have very clear goals, and trying to achieve them keeps me motivated. I’ve found that if we don’t take the time and put in the effort to be honest with ourselves about what we really want, we are then unable to be clear about what are goals are, and as a result the motivation just doesn’t happen. I try to be clear about what I want to achieve, which allows me much more freedom to find the motivation I need to keep going. To be honest, seeing the success of others is also a great motivating factor!
What goals, including career goals, have you set for your life?
Such a huge question! For the Big Bang Ballers, to change the way development is seen in the world, that is to say to shift the focus to the people who need help the most, not on the things that they need. The reach of people is limitless; their capacity for good, their strength of character, their ability to overcome all obstacles are all traits to be developed, to be encouraged. I don’t think we do enough of that in the development industry, so my goal for the Big Bangs is to be both operating in every country on Earth, as well as be leading the change towards self-sufficient, self-reliant international development.
At the end of your work life, what must have been present for you to feel as if you had a successful career?
Simple; healthy, happy kids, all over the world.
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