A Journey in the Arts, Activism, and Social Change

Arian Moayed is an Iranian-born, Emmy and Tony-nominated actor, and co-founder of Waterwell, an award-winning community organizing art and education company in New York City.

Through Waterwell, Arian helped create 7 Minutes, The Courtroom, The Flores Exhibits, Hamlet, Blueprint Specials, Fleet Week Follies, Goodbar, The Persians, and many more. Waterwell Education is in residence at several New York City public schools, leading world-class theater education built on the ethos of “Artist as Citizen.” Arian has been a faculty member for over 15 years, teaching courses including Artist as Citizen and Senior Capstone. 

As a writer/director, Arian has created the Emmy-nominated six-hour thriller, The Accidental Wolf,  and wrote The Courtroom which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival, after the critically acclaimed Waterwell performances inside New York City courtrooms. Current writing projects include 28 Mordad (upcoming), The Great Fire of ‘33, Grandmaster, a film adaptation of The Man in Red, and an autobiography about his family’s escape from Iran after the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Notable acting credits: Amy Herzog’s A Doll’s House (Tony nomination), Broadway's The Humans (Drama Desk Award), Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo (Tony nomination), Guards at the Taj (Obie Award), Succession (Emmy nomination), Love Life (NAACP nomination), Spiderman: No Way Home (Marvel), Inventing Anna (Netflix), Ms. Marvel, You Hurt My Feelings (A24), and House of Spoils (upcoming, Amazon).

(Photos by Derrick Leung)

Linda Powell is the current Executive Vice President of SAG-AFTRA and also serves as a trustee of the SAG-AFTRA Health and SAG Pension plans. She is a New York based actress who has appeared on Broadway and off and has been seen on screen in such shows as Dopesick, House of Cards, Chicago Fire, Madam Secretary, Law and Order SVU, and films including The Report, I Think I Love my Wife, and American Gangster. Most recently she enjoyed a long run as Neil Diamond’s therapist in the Broadway bio-musical A Beautiful Noise. Linda was a Vice Chair of the negotiating committee for SAG-AFTRA’s recently ratified TV/Theatrical contract, is Chair of the board of advisors for the Colin Powell School at the City College of New York, and a proud member of Actors Equity Association.

The Rick and Susan Goings Conversations in Leadership are marque public discussions with individuals who have taken unconventional paths to success at the highest levels of their professions. We probe deeply into the careers of those whose leadership has made a difference and who have persevered despite the odds. Through this series, we will develop an understanding of the styles and critical elements of leadership.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

The City College of New York, 160 Convent Avenue, New York, United States