Samaneh “Sami” Tahbazof is the cofounder of SST Investments, LLC, one of the largest privately funded real estate companies in the Bay Area, with a focus on San Francisco. Philanthropic giving has always been one of Sami’s core values, and in 2014, she established the Tahbazof Family Foundation to create a legacy of gifting with her family. In addition to philanthropic giving, she seeks to give back through her businesses. One of SST Investments’ recent projects is 1830 Alemany Boulevard, an entirely self-funded 116-unit residential development in San Francisco. With this development, SST Investments voluntarily provided fifty-eight below-market-rate units to the City and five units to foster youth. This construction marks the first time a developer chose to give back to its community by building permanent below-market-rate units while standing 100% self-funded. It is a project Sami is very proud of, and one she hopes will have a lasting impact on the community—especially for underprivileged children.

Teaching philanthropic values to her two children, Sami also prioritized being active with her community on a personal level. Sami was a past member of the Scholarship Committee for the Latinos Unidos, served meals to the homeless through Project Homeless Connect in San Francisco, and volunteered weekly with her kids at Shelter Network in Redwood City and San Mateo. For over eight years, Sami mentored students at A Home Away from Homelessness while also serving as a board member and, later, as its President. Sami also served on the board of John Burton Advocates for Youth for over ten years until stepping down in 2021. While helping the homeless and foster youth is at the forefront of Sami’s philanthropic endeavors, her studies at the Fine Arts Faculty, University of Tehran prior to the revolution cultivated her passion for the arts and now to advocate for up-and-coming Iranian artists in various fields. Sami has a degree in Graphic Design from the Academy of Arts.