If you have the chance to speak with Mariam Ispahani, it will be well worth your time. Her storied background includes an education in both psychology and education, as well as work experience spanning non-profit organizations, website development, semiconductors, telecommunications, digital signage, and solar systems. It is here that she began creating solutions that benefit the greater good.
Never one to stand by when a problem presents itself, the pervasive impact of plastic pollution led Mariam to explore plant-based products, which in turn led her to create Sonali Bioplastics, producing biobased and compostable alternatives to petroleum-based plastic products.
Sonali’s environmentally friendly products are available in both rigid and flexible options to meet the packaging needs of various industries. Wherever plastic is used, Sonali offers a natural replacement. This is made possible through the manufacture of compostable flexible packaging film, biocomposites for plastic molding and 3D printing, as well as biocomposites for toys and household goods, and even gel for cosmetics. True to Mariam’s mission to improve the world we live in, Sonali knows that farmers are vital to its core mission and invests in and works with farmers to promote eco-friendly agriculture.
Mariam’s work gained further momentum when Sonali was selected as a finalist to join the MassChallenge Switzerland 2024 accelerator program. From nearly 1,400 applicants, Mariam headed to Switzerland for a four-month entrepreneurship journey that provided her with world-class mentoring, networking opportunities, and tailored programming to support Sonali’s mission.
This European program also highlighted the extensive grant money available in countries across Europe to tackle climate change. Mariam is hopeful that through her additional efforts as a public speaker and creating awareness campaigns, she can educate people on both the impact bioplastics can have and encourage investment in such solutions.
In addition to this extensive and impressive work, Mariam is also an active volunteer for Women in Cleantech and Sustainability, dedicating time to support the WCS Marketing Committee.
Mariam shares this advice to WCS: “Be resilient. If you fall, you have not fallen apart; you can stand up again.”
We value both Mariam’s insights and impact. Thank you for all you do!
