Shoka Marefat, MBA

Shoka Marefat, MBA is the Division Analyst for the Center for Vulnerable Populations and the Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative. Shoka earned her MBA from the University of San Francisco in 2019. Along with her MBA curriculum, which emphasized in Corporate Social Responsibility and Social Impact, she completed a 6-month internship for the Strategic Development & Partnerships team at Kiva. Shoka’s work at Kiva allowed her to contribute to Kiva’s mission in alleviating poverty through Microfinance. In addition, she took part in an Academic Global Immersion Program in Rome, Italy to study Refugee Service Management and Humanitarian Emergency. Shoka rounded out her time as an MBA as USF’s chapter Co-President of Challenge for Charity, a non-profit organization that supports the Special Olympics, SF + Marin Food Bank, and other local charities. Post-graduation Shoka joined the academic support team of the Department of Pediatric Surgery at UCSF. Through this position she assisted Dr. Doruk Ozgediz in building the newly established Center for Health Equity in Surgery & Anesthesia. Her participation in the center’s mission during a global pandemic where health disparities are at their highest, galvanized her passion for making an impact and implementing social change through her work. She is committed to do work that advocates, promotes, and includes those who are marginalized.