International business publication Forbes has featured Zaria Parvez, the global social media manager of Pittsburgh-based edtech company Duolingo Inc., among its prestigious 30 Under 30 series of lists.
More specifically, the 24-year-old Parvez has been placed among Forbes' 30 Under 30 — Social Media (2023) list, which includes the "people, forces and companies shaping the creator economy," the publication said.
"Parvez may be one of the most influential voices in corporate social media," Forbes said in its write-up of Parvez's placement. "Under her direction, Duolingo has become known for its irreverent, snarky presence on TikTok - commenting on content even if it has nothing to do with learning new languages."
Parvez first joined Duolingo in Pittsburgh as a social media coordinator in 2020 right after graduating from the University of Oregon.
Less than 18 months later, she had drastically transformed the strategy and content Duolingo published on its TikTok account, ushering in tens of millions of new followers and hundreds of millions of views, not to mention a countless amount of new customers for the company's language learning platform. Duolingo’s account is now one of the most popular on the entire video platform, and Parvez has since been promoted to her current role as Duolingo’s global social media manager.
"Honored to be included in the Forbes 30 under 30 list for Social Media. Heck ya," Parvez shared in a LinkedIn post from her personal account. "But, here’s the kicker: I’m not special. I just happened to be in a position where these qualities I brought forward were not only sought out, but empowered. Opportunity was given to me because of the access I had."
She went on to acknowledge a "loving support system" throughout her career and her acceptance into a competitive advertising program in college. Subsequent internships at reputable agencies also went a long way, she said, as did her U.S. citizenship.
"That in itself provides opportunities far beyond most of the world," Parvez, a devout immigration advocate, said of her American citizenship. "What matters more to me now is how I continue to elevate others who didn’t always have the same access in life. And, now, what I can do moving forward with the doors this recognition will unlock. Rather than being an end goal, 30 under 30 is a first step. Let's do this thing."
Since Parvez took the reigns of Duolingo's TikTok account, the East Liberty-based company has gone on to receive two accolades from Ad Age; one this past April when Ad Age named Duolingo "Social Marketer of the Year" and another in July when Ad Age named Duolingo to its "America's Hottest Brands 2022" list.
