Samaneh “Sami” Tahbazof

Samaneh ”Sami” Tahbazof received her B.A. in Graphic Design from Academy of Arts in 1981. Sami 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 with her husband, Siavash, to create a legacy of gifting with her family. The foundation reflects Samaneh’s deep commitment to giving back and her belief in the transformative power of education and the arts.

She was a past member on the Scholarship Committee for the Latinos Unidos, served meals to 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 8 years, Sami mentored students at A Home Away from Homelessness while also serving as a member of its board, and later as its President. Sami also served on the board for John Burton Advocates for Youth.

She currently serves on the board of Farhang Foundation, a non-profit organization established to celebrate and promote Iranian art and culture for the benefit of the community-at-large. Some of the areas of focus include poetry, literature, music, fine arts, film, history, philosophy and traditions. Today, Samaneh is not only recognized for her contributions to the arts but also for her significant philanthropic work through the Tahbazof Family Foundation.

Sami has also been involved with Moms Against Poverty (MAP) and through her dedication, she has brought immeasurable benefits to countless children and families worldwide. Her unwavering commitment to MAP’s mission for over a decade, has been instrumental in providing vital resources and support to those in need. Sami has helped fund schools, orphanages, healthcare services, and basic necessities, to the most vulnerable populations. Her compassion for MAP’s mission has made a profound impact, ensuring that the organization continues to reach and uplift children who might otherwise be forgotten.

Sami’s journey of philanthropy and community service has been further exemplified through the establishment of Leon Event Hall. This venue serves as a physical representation of her and Siavash’s shared commitment to supporting the arts and charitable organizations. Through Leon Event Hall, Sami continues to foster a space where creativity and community engagement can thrive.

Siavash “Sia” Tahbazof

Siavash “Sia” Tahbazof obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from Oklahoma State University, followed by a Master’s degree in Geotechnical Engineering. In 1984, he earned his Professional Engineering (PE) license and thereafter, founded his own engineering and design firm, SIA Consulting Inc. Over the years, his company grew, and he eventually sold SIA Consulting, Inc. and put his sole focus in his real estate development company, SST Investments. Siavash’s development projects are located primarily in San Francisco ranging from multi-unit buildings to mid-rises as well as commercial assets, including medical, industrial and office, throughout the Bay Area. Currently, Siavash’s rental portfolio consists of over 800 residential units, of which 115 are affordable housing units, also known as the Below Market Rate (BMR) units. In line with his intent to always give back to his community, Siavash built 1830 Alemany Boulevard, a 116-unit residential housing complex where he voluntarily gifted 58 of the units as Below Market Rate units.  This project was the first time that a developer voluntarily restricted its own development to permanently provide half of the units as affordable housing, while also being completely self-funded.

Beyond his professional success and finding ways to give back through his development, Siavash has always been deeply committed to philanthropy. Since 2003, Siavash has supported many charities from those that help homeless and foster youth with food, education, shelter and scholarships, to programs that support autistic children, and advancing research in different health initiatives. In order to create a legacy of gifting through generations, Siavash and his wife decide to start a private foundation. In 2014, Siavash and Samaneh founded the The Tahbazof Family Foundation, dedicated to creating a legacy of giving that will continue for generations. The Foundation has primarily focused on helping vulnerable youth with housing, healthcare and basic needs. In 2014, Siavash pledged, and fulfilled over 4 years, $2,000,000 in donations to Stanford in support of the construction and maintenance of the new Biomedical Innovation Building on the Stanford campus and to also support the research of new faculty members in the Stanford Initiative to Cure Hearing Loss. His dedication continues today, with the most recent large effort being the establishment of the Tahbazof Family Endowed Fund for the Stanford Children’s Health Teen Van, a mobile clinic offering free health services to uninsured and underinsured youth, ages 12 to 25, in the San Francisco Bay Area.

The establishment of Leon Event Hall is a continuation of Siavash’s journey to find meaningful ways to give back to the community. Through this venue, he hopes to support artists, charitable organizations ando ther community-driven events.