Masoud Mostajabi is the Director of Civic Engagement and Democracy (DCED) at the Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian Americans (PAAIA), where he leads initiatives through the Civic Leadership Program (CLP) to empower Iranian Americans in public service, advocacy, and civic engagement. In this role, he develops programs to foster leadership among the next generation, strengthens community participation in democratic processes, and advocates for policies that reflect the interests of Iranian Americans at the national level.

Prior to joining PAAIA, Masoud served as Deputy Director of the Iraq Initiative and the Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative at the Atlantic Council’s Middle East Programs, overseeing a broad portfolio of regional security issues, policy research, and business development with a focus on Iraq, Iran, and the Persian Gulf. In this capacity, he managed high-level convenings with policymakers, led research initiatives and Track II Dialogues, and contributed to shaping U.S. policy discussions on the Middle East. Before that, he was Assistant Director of the South Asia Center, supporting the Council’s work on geopolitics, economic development, and security across the region.
Masoud began his career as a research assistant at an international chamber of commerce, where he focused on trade policy, investment trends, and economic diplomacy. His broader research interests include diplomacy, human rights, climate change, and international development, with an emphasis on their intersections with governance and policy.

Masoud has been recognized by the Istituto per gli Studi di Politica Internazionale as a Future Global Leader, by the Middle East Policy Council as a 40 Under 40 Awardee, and a Foreign Policy for America NextGen Leader. His analysis and commentary have been published in outlets such as The National Interest and Newsweek, and he has provided expert insights on platforms including NPR, Deutsche Welle, and CNA Asia.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and History from Arizona State University and a master’s in International Studies from American University’s School of International Service.