Sarvenaz Madi, JD ’05, Dies at 39

The text of the program from Sarvenaz Madi’s memorial service appears below.

Sarvenaz Madi, JD ’05, a beloved daughter, wife, mother, sister, niece, cousin, friend, and lawyer passed away on Friday, February 22, 2019. After 33 months of relentlessly battling cancer, she passed away peacefully surrounded by her family.

Sarvenaz moved to the states from Tehran, Iran, at the age of 15 and graduated from University High School in Irvine, California, in 1997. Subsequently, she attended the University of California in Berkeley, where she majored in political economy. She was talented and well rounded and in 1999 spent a year abroad in Madrid, Spain, where she immersed herself in her love of the Spanish culture, became fluent in the language, and grew fond of salsa dancing.

While an undergraduate at UC Berkeley, she was also a champion of her heritage, taking a leadership role in a student organization celebrating Iranian culture. Sarvenaz graduated from UC Berkeley with a BA in May 2001. Academics were a breeze to her and she excelled effortlessly. After UC Berkeley, she pursued her passion for law and was admitted to Harvard, Stanford, and NY law schools. She chose Stanford Law School so she could stay close to her husband-to-be, Mike Fung. She graduated with a JD from Stanford in 2005 and passed the California bar exam on her first try.

As a corporate lawyer for five years at a top tier law firm, Davis Polk & Wardwell, she acted as a de facto in-house counsel of public companies. She worked closely with the management of various companies as well as boards of directors. While a corporate lawyer, she was deeply involved in pro bono work, taking on difficult cases and fighting for the underprivileged. Her passion and belief in doing what is right fueled her spirit.

From 2010 for the next six years and through her battle with cancer, Sarvenaz served as senior director, legal counsel at eBay. She led a team in eBay’s legal department advising North America marketing and global growth, served as legal liaison to eBay’s various verticals, and was an integral part of the compliance team. Her natural inclination to go beyond herself shined through even while battling cancer.

During that tough battle, she continued her pro bono legal work for those in need; specifically, she assisted on immigration and refugee applications to protect those facing prosecution and deportation.

Sarvi partook in the study of Buddhism and meditation at Spirit Rock to elevate herself and had planned to become a meditation teacher and life coach.

In her personal life, Sarvi met Mike in 2001. Soon after they were an item. They got married in 2009. When they met, Mike had a daughter, Tienshung, from a previous relationship. Sarvi became a mother overnight to Tienshung and nurtured her as her own, stepping in to support Mike and showering Tienshung with love. In March 2012, Sarvi gave birth to an adorable daughter, Kiara, who brought her a deep sense of joy and purpose. Sarvenaz had a compassionate and tender approach to being a mother; it came so naturally to her.

Even though her star will continue to shine, this is most certainly a tragic loss for us all.

Sarvi leaves behind her husband, her 6-year-old daughter Kiara, and many, many family members. There is a 529 college fund set up for Kiara in case anyone is interested in contributing.