Arija joined Cloudforce in 2021 as the Executive Assistant and is now our Chief of Staff where she manages the daily motion of the office and our busy CTO. She also creates and produces Cloudforce networking events large and small and helps execute community outreach efforts and staff development activities. Prior to Cloudforce, Arija spent many years working with startups and nonprofits to help them grow and develop relationships with their communities. As Community Manager for Washington, DC-based Springboard Enterprises, Arija directed many efforts and events to help accelerate the growth of women-led businesses in technology and life sciences. As a leader of Dolphin Tank (“like Shark Tank, but friendlier”), Arija traveled across the U.S. to convene women in technology and help them present their ideas to audiences of knowledgeable industry members for valuable insights and feedback. Arija now looks to bring her well-honed networking and planning skills to advance the Cloudforce mission and its many community-wide efforts.

In her free time, Arija reads historical fiction and women’s history books. She also spends lots of time with friends and family free from her phone since her relationships are her greatest treasure!

Other fun facts about Arija:

What are three words to describe you?

• Friendly, fun, resourceful

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

• A writer

What is one quote that stands out to you?

• “Think with the heart, not with the ego.”

What are you reading at this moment?

• A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini

What is your favorite tradition or holiday?

• Friendsgiving because my birthday falls around Thanksgiving and I love food and quality time with loved ones.