My name is Leili Hashemi, and I’m a young adult based in Los Angeles who has embraced resilience and transformation throughout both my personal and professional journey. After graduating from UC Berkeley and preparing for medical school, my life took a profound turn in 2020 when I experienced a major stroke. This life-altering event reshaped my trajectory in unexpected ways.

During my recovery, I became acutely aware of the challenges faced by the brain injury community, which motivated me to make a difference. I founded a support group for fellow stroke survivors, allowing me to positively impact others while strengthening my leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills. 

Despite the difficulties following my stroke, I remained committed to my growth by continuing my education and adapting to new challenges. My journey led me to the design industry, specifically user experience (UX) design. Inspired by the accessibility features that UX design fosters, I became passionate about creating solutions that embrace diverse abilities and promote inclusivity. I see design as a powerful tool for bringing beauty to spaces and creating innovations that serve all communities. I am excited to contribute and share my unique perspective.

In addition to my professional development, I discovered ceramics as a therapeutic practice during my recovery. What began as a recommended exercise soon grew into a true passion. Creating with my hands is not only helping me heal, but it also taught me a profound lesson: my imperfections aren't flaws but rather marks of resilience and beauty. Thus, to celebrate these unique marks, KAJ Pottery was born. (KAJ, an abbreviation of the Farsi phrase "kaj o koleh," symbolizes crookedness.)

I am confident that my resilience and adaptability will enable me to make meaningful contributions.