Arsh Vahora is a Seattle native with a strong academic and professional background. He graduated from the University of Washington, Seattle, Foster School of Business with Honors magna cum laude, earning his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and minors in Real Estate and South Asian Languages & Cultures. As an undergraduate, he founded Muslims in Business, the newest Foster-affiliated RSO dedicated to creating an inclusive environment for Muslim students and uplifting the Muslim business community at the University. Under his leadership, the organization won the award for “Best Professional Development Event” in its first full year as a RSO—competing against 32 other RSOs. During his time at Foster, he received many offers to become a research assistant, teaching assistant, and was even recruited by large firms like PwC. These opportunities didn’t interest him however, as his focus and dream remained on his family’s business.
Professionally, Arsh has four years of experience as Executive Vice President and Principal of an investment and development firm in the Seattle area. His father, Soyam Vahora, founded this firm 20 years ago despite having no prior background in real estate. Through his determination and work ethic, Soyam built it into a thriving and successful practice. Inspired by his father’s dedication and achievement, Arsh hopes to one day take over the firm and grow it into a large and well-recognized business.
Outside of all of this, he is also a volunteer with Helping Hand for Relief and development (HHRD) and various mosques in the greater Seattle area, including the Islamic House at the UW and Muslim Association of Puget Sound.
Arsh, along with the rest of his peers, is very excited for this master’s program and to be a part of the 2025–2026 MSRE cohort.