Finding Joy in Giving Back

Daria Askari 05 PH and his husband, Ryan Hart, act on their core beliefs

The educational experience that Daria Askari 05 PH enjoyed as a RISD student still resonates in a powerful way. “The freedom to experiment and explore different concepts with the guidance and support of respected faculty was incredibly valuable to how I approached work,” he recalls. “I especially enjoyed the critiques and the push to always do better. The input of my peers—and the exposure to different pedagogy, perspectives and processes—helped to shape my worldview and deepen my appreciation for the fine arts.”

Askari’s connection to RISD has remained strong long after graduation. He does portfolio reviews and chairs the RISD Alumni Association’s Alumni Awards Committee. “I feel like I’m a part of something exciting when I’m involved with RISD. Volunteering reminds me of my time as a student, and I am proud to be part of this amazing, creative community,” he explains.

“I review professional artists’ portfolios and provide feedback to those seeking gainful employment in the arts as part of my day-to-day work. It is really gratifying to volunteer by helping prospective students with their art school portfolios as they start their creative careers and work to gain admission to RISD,” he says.

The couple enjoys giving back. “We are happy knowing our contributions make an impact in the RISD community,” says Askari. “We both come from modest backgrounds. I was born in Iran and grew up in the Hudson Valley. Ryan grew up in rural Kansas, and had his own transformational education at Vassar that was heavily subsidized by generous donors who came before him. Our appreciation and love for makers, educators and artists know no bounds, and our involvement with RISD is an extension of that,” he says.

“Supporting higher education and the arts through our philanthropy is at the core of our beliefs and values. Ryan is executive director of gift planning at Columbia University. Putting RISD in our estate plans is as joyful for us as it is for the donors with whom he has the privilege to work,” he explains. “We designated our gift to scholarships because it will support future generations of RISD students.”

“We encourage other alumni to contribute in any capacity that feels right for them. Participating in local alumni club events and meetings is a great way to stay in touch. We will continue being involved with this community that we love and respect and look forward to seeing great things we can do together,” says Askari.