Shahrzad Rafati / RHEI

Shahrzad Rafati is the Founder and Chairperson of RHEI (formerly BroadbandTV or BBTV), a pioneering media-tech company that has been redefining the creator economy for decades. With over 20 years of experience at the intersection of technology and entertainment, she is widely recognized as one of the most influential figures in digital media. Visionary Leadership & Innovation: Shahrzad’s journey began with a disruptive idea: instead of fighting piracy, media companies should embrace fan-uploaded content. This vision led to the development of proprietary technology that allowed major studios (like Sony Pictures and Warner Music Group) to claim and monetize fan-uploaded videos rather than issuing takedown notices. Under her leadership, the company evolved into a massive ecosystem encompassing: Rights Management: Protecting and monetizing intellectual property globally. Content Services: Providing distribution and growth strategies for top-tier creators. Next-Gen AI SaaS: Leading the transition to the Made platform, a creator’s "Creative OS” designed to support every aspect of a creator's process with AI agents and elevate their creativity. Impact and Recognition: Shahrzad has scaled RHEI into one of the largest media properties in the world, at one point surpassing billions of monthly views. Her ability to navigate the shift from traditional revenue-share models to sophisticated SaaS solutions highlights her adaptability in an ever-changing tech landscape. Her accolades are extensive, including: Named one of Fast Company’s Most Creative People in Business. Included in The Hollywood Reporter’s Most Powerful Women in Entertainment. Recognized as a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader. Advocacy and Global Influence: Beyond business, Shahrzad is a dedicated advocate for gender equality and digital empowerment. She was appointed by the Prime Minister of Canada to represent the country on the G20 Business Women’s Leaders task force and serves on several high-profile boards, including Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) and Invest in Canada. As RHEI blazes into 2026, Shahrzad remains focused on the "Made" era - empowering the next generation of creators and media companies through AI-augmented tools that preserve the human element of creativity while maximizing commercial potential.