Bita Neyestani is a graduate of Pepperdine's School of Public Policy where she specialized in international relations and regional and local policy. She received a B.A. in history and Middle East and North African studies from UCLA. She has served as a deputy intern for the City of Calabasas, researched for the non-profit and multi-partisan organization, Common Sense California, and engaged in various freelance writing opportunities. Her interests include promoting citizen engagement and democracy.