Zerbanoo Gifford, internationally respected advocate for human rights and interfaith dialogue, and Founder of the ASHA Centre (UK), was honoured as a Founding Fellow of the prestigious ‘One Humanity Lab’, at the George Washington University’s Center for Excellence in Public Leadership. The recognition coincided with the launch of her latest book, ‘A Call to Consciousness’, at a special gathering held at the GW Museum and The Textile Museum in Washington DC.

The event brought together scholars, leaders and members of the Zoroastrian community from across the United States, Canada and Britain. It marked one of the Lab’s first public engagements, positioning Zerbanoo Gifford’s work at the heart of a global conversation on leadership, ethics and human awareness.

The highlight of the evening was ‘A Call to Consciousness’, described as Gifford’s most compelling work to date. Drawing on decades of activism, interfaith engagement and personal experience, the book calls for moral clarity, courage and a deeper sense of human responsibility in an increasingly complex world. Endorsed by over forty global leaders, including His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the book reflects a rare convergence of spiritual insight and contemporary relevance.

In her address, Gifford spoke about courage as a conscious choice, shaped by her own life experiences. “Fear is a choice. Courage is also a choice. And once you have stood at the edge of everything and returned, you understand that there is nothing left worth being afraid of,” she reflected, reinforcing how true leadership begins within.

Dr. Ina Gjikondi, Founder of One Humanity Lab, highlighted Zerbanoo’s ability to combine clarity with action, describing her as a leader who brings difficult truths into focus and inspires meaningful change. Brief reflections by Maestro Zane Dalal and Dr. Natalie Houghtby-Haddon added perspective on leadership through harmony and deep listening, aligning with the broader themes of the event.

The evening concluded with Zerbanoo Gifford being felicitated by Dr. Gjikondi and Dr. Houghtby-Haddon, Executive Director, GW, with the ‘Mystic Crystal’, One Humanity Lab’s symbol of recognition for those who carry the wholeness of many traditions in one unbroken form. The presentation honored Gifford for her various achievements and for what Dr. Gjikondi called, “the wholeness you have always carried, and the consciousness you have called forth in all of us.”

Zerbanoo Gifford’s recognition as a Founding Fellow and the launch of her book mark a significant moment for the global Zoroastrian community and the wider discourse on conscious leadership. Her work continues to inspire dialogue, urging individuals and institutions alike to lead with awareness, integrity and purpose.

Available on Amazon (https://a.co/d/03FDtRwa), all proceeds from ‘A Call to Consciousness’ support the ongoing work of One Humanity Lab at GW Center, helping to sustain programs, fellowships and learning communities that cultivate leadership across the world.