You might know Aliza Vellani from the screen, but her presence off-camera speaks even louder - steady, thoughtful, and quietly powerful.

Most people know Aliza as a celebrated actor, best known for her role as Rani Singh in the award-winning Netflix series Sweet Tooth. But if that’s all you know, you’re only seeing one side of the story. Because behind the scenes, Aliza is also an Executive Director, union board member, investor, producer, and storyteller with a relentless drive to build something deeper than a résumé.

I got to know Aliza through her husband, Jamshed, an early member of The Last Drop and a close friend. Over time, Aliza became involved in our cycling community too. But it was her curiosity and desire to create something meaningful that brought us together on a project called Super Domestique, a podcast series that she directed and co-produced with me over two seasons. The show featured some of the most influential voices in cycling, from brand partners to elite athletes. And while Jamshed hosted, Aliza brought the industry-level vision and creative structure that gave the show its polish.

Watching her work changed the way I understood professionalism in creative spaces. Aliza doesn’t just perform, she elevates. And that’s exactly what makes her one of the most quietly powerful people I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with.

The Spark That Lit the Path

Aliza’s creative life started young.

“Acting started when I was nine. At first it was pure passion, until someone told me it could actually be a career.”

As her career in the entertainment world took shape, she also realized something most artists avoid thinking about: sustainability. Not just emotional, but financial.

“My passion for investing started when I realized I needed to build wealth to sustain my creative life. I’m just as much an investor as I am an artist.”

Aliza’s ability to balance storytelling with strategy is what gives her a quiet edge. She approaches her work with clarity and intention, shaping her creative and professional choices around the life she wants to lead.

Discipline, Not Ego

Aliza’s drive is never flashy. She doesn't talk about her investments much. She doesn't use her resume as a calling card. Instead, she leads with energy, presence, and service.

“My financial independence is something I built through discipline. I asked myself, every time I made a big spend:
‘Is this an investment? Or does it bring value to my life?’”

That same discipline extended into her fitness journey, where she pushed herself through injury recovery and, later, trained all the way through her pregnancy with intention and care.

“If you had told me five years ago that I’d be lifting weights at 8 months pregnant, I wouldn’t have believed you.”

Her Most Important Project Yet

Right now, her main focus isn’t on a script or boardroom. It’s on being a new mom.

“It’s isolating. But I know it’s going to be my most rewarding journey yet.”

Even in this season, her mindset hasn’t changed - keep showing up, stay intentional, and focus on progress that sticks.

“Progress is incremental. And sometimes, that’s the best way to create lasting change.”

The Plain Pillars

Impact First

“The irony is, when you give back, you always receive more than you expect.
Being on the UBCP board taught me how much people just want to feel seen and heard in a sea of voices.”

Identity is Earned

“It’s not about the big break. It’s about knowing you’re great—even if no one sees it yet.
That’s usually when people start to notice.”

Small Bets, Big Ideas

“Fitness started with an injury. But it taught me mindset changes everything.
Now it’s a huge part of my life.”

Final Word

If she could whisper something to someone just starting?

“Do it for you. The second it becomes for someone else, walk away.
There’s something better ahead. It’s your story, not theirs.”

That’s Aliza in a sentence: purposeful, grounded, quietly powerful.
A creative force who makes space for others while carving her own path.

One story at a time.

Follow Aliza: @alizavellani

Photo Credit: @kristincofskyphotography
Know someone building something quietly? Nominate them here →