Ms. Ameri has long had an interest in education and women’s issues. She served as a trustee of the Catlin Gabel School, as a member of the Oregon Steering Committee on the Campaign for Undergraduate Education for Stanford University, and as a member of the advisory committee for the Babson College Executive MBA program in Oregon. She also taught Junior Achievement classes in Oregon, in addition to having served as a member of the Advisory Board of the National Education for Women’s Leadership at the Hatfield School of Government at Portland State University.

Prior to her government service Ms. Ameri had extensive business and corporate experience. She was a small business owner, founding eTinium, a consulting and market research firm specializing in the telecom industry, and as a Director at US Leasing.

Ms. Ameri was born in Tehran, Iran, and completed her Bachelor of Arts in Communications and French Literature and her Master's degree in Communications at Stanford University. She also studied at the Sorbonne in Paris, France. She is fluent in French and Persian and is conversant in Spanish. She is the recipient of the Award for the 100 Most Powerful Women in Oregon and the Award of Excellence by Persian Heritage Magazine. In May 2008, the National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations presented her with the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, which is awarded to U.S. citizens who exemplify American ideals and leadership while preserving the distinct values and rich heritage of their ancestors.