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The Switchboard team brings over 150 years of combined experience in refugee resettlement.

The team includes resettlement professionals, social workers, educators, and individuals who have lived the refugee experience firsthand. We strive to produce learning resources that are informed by real-world expertise and a deep understanding of the unique strengths and challenges of displaced people. 

WELCOME TO SWITCHBOARD

MEET THE TEAM

MEG

Director, Switchboard

MEG GIBBON

"I'm honored to support the resettlement community through Switchboard's work."
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TIGEST

Deputy Director, Switchboard

TIGEST COLEMAN

"I love the opportunity to leverage my background in resettlement and direct client experience to create applicable resources for service providers.”
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LEYLA

Senior Program Officer, Partnerships

LEYLA DURSUNOVA

"I enjoy finding ways to make our work be more impactful for those serving refugees directly, how our partners can contribute to that, and how we can show that impact through data."
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KIM

Senior Program Officer, Digital Communications

KIMBERLY INEZ MAYS

"I am passionate about aiding refugee service providers through communication and technology at Switchboard."
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LIZ

Senior Program Officer, Strategy & Operations

LIZ TOMPKINS

"Collaborating with others to ensure we develop high-quality resources that address evolving training needs in the resettlement network keeps me engaged and invested in the work."
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FARAH

Program Officer, Monitoring & Evaluation

FARAH EL HASSAN

“I am passionate about using data to help us do what we do better because producing meaningful results is at the heart of why we design data-informed programs.”
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KATIE

Senior Researcher

KATIE ZENONI

“Learning and sharing knowledge to co-create evidence-based programming to welcome and support newcomers is my North Star as a scholar-practitioner.”
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ELIJAH

Administrative Manager

ELIJAH DAVIS

"I enjoy providing operational and logistical support to the entire Switchboard team in order to better serve resettlement agencies and newcomers."
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SONALI

Program Officer, Partnerships

SONALI JAGDHANE WHITE

"I'm passionate about connecting with local organizations who have the expertise to expand our reach in various fields for our service providers, thus providing top-quality training and technical assistance."
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MEGAN

Training Officer, Mental Health & Wellness

MEGAN RAFFERTY

"I'm passionate about destigmatizing mental health, and ensuring opportunities for health and healing are accessible to refugees, newcomers, and those who serve them."
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SELINA

Program Manager, Digital Content

SELINA MATE

"I enjoy ensuring that our digital content is up to date and accessible to those who need it most!"
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RALUCA

Program Manager, Communications

RALUCA ALBU

"I enjoy distilling information and gathering resources to make the research process slightly less burdensome for already-busy resettlement providers."
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ROSALIE

Senior Program Officer, Instructional Design

ROSALIE ARNDT

I’m passionate about designing transformative learning experiences for refugee service providers and creating a learning culture in the sector.”
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DAVID

Program Officer, Web Development

DAVID PAX BUATSHIA

"I cherish the opportunity to collaborate with diverse teams, translating ideas into reality while embracing the constant dance between code, design, and user experience."
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EMILY

Editorial Manager

EMILY SMITH

"I enjoy improving the quality and clarity of Switchboard’s resources to maximize their impact on service providers and the newcomers they support."
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SARAH

Program Officer, Research

SARAH DINER

"I am passionate about making evidence-based practices easily accessible for all practitioners."
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JULIE

Program Officer, Compliance

JULIE MARKOVITZ

“I enjoy collaborating with our partners and our internal staff in order to maintain the integrity of our program.”
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JENNA

SENIOR TRAINING OFFICER

JENNA CHRISTIE-TABRON

“I cherish the privilege to collaborate with colleagues in the creation and sharing of knowledge; it’s a genuine form of service to others.”
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ROB

Training Officer, Community Integration

ROB CALLUS

"Welcoming newcomers is something we all can and should be doing, and I love empowering others to be part of this work."
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JASON

Senior Director, Learning

JASON CRISLIP

“I enjoy working with such a diverse, talented, and passionate team who are dedicated to service providers across the country and the populations they serve.”
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KINDA

Program Officer, Digital Design

KINDA HIBRAWI

"I love creating visually engaging design that also communicates the information clearly, for a positive user experience to be enjoyed by all."
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Maya

Training Officer, Client Centered Services

MAYA WAHRMAN

"I am passionate about learning and strive to ensure Switchboard is a trusted, high-quality resource for refugee service providers."
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CAMPEON

PROGRAM COORDINATOR, EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES

CAMPEON RAMIREZ

“My passion lies in providing people from marginalized communities access to emerging technology and the opportunities that arise from it.”
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KRYSTI

Training Officer, EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES

KRYSTI NELLERMOE

“I find joy in applying design thinking through technology to effectively address ongoing and emerging barriers to newcomers’ self-sufficiency and inclusion in a digital world.”
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DANICA

Training Officer, Employment

DANICA KUSHNER

"I am passionate about supporting refugees as they work towards achieving self-sufficiency through early employment and economic mobility."
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PATRICIA

PROGRAM MANAGER, VIRTUAL EVENTS

PATRICIA PINEDA

“I am passionate about empowering refugee service providers to best utilize Switchboard’s resources so they can better support those most in need.”
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JUJA

Budget Officer

DUJKA (JUJA) KOVACEVIC

"I enjoy providing finance support to the Switchboard team to further our work of supporting refugee service providers."
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MIKE

Program Officer, Instructional Design

MICHEAL BRINN

"I am passionate about creating accessible, engaging, and user-centered learning for service providers in order to support the entire resettlement community."
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ALLISON

Program Manager, Monitoring & Evaluation

ALLISON BOSTROM

“I believe strongly that humanity as a collective owes refugees, asylum seekers, and other migrants the best possible treatment.”
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CLAIRE

TRAINING OFFICER, CHILD & FAMILY SERVICEs

CLAIRE HOPKINS

“I am passionate about offering culturally diverse, inclusive, and accessible resources for service providers to help create welcoming communities and pathways for newcomers to thrive.”
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MAX

EDITORIAL MANAGER

MAX GUMBEL

“I love helping others communicate their expertise in clear, concise, and accessible language.”
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KATHLEEN

PROGRAM COORDINATOR, MONITORING & EVALUATION

KATHLEEN HOFFKINS

“I am passionate about working with communities and finding data-driven solutions to address systemic issues.”
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Alisa

PROGRAM OFFICER, PLANNING

ALISA JIMÉNEZ

“I am passionate about using my project management skillset to help bring important newcomer-centered resources from idea to reality.”
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GRAEME

SENIOR RESEARCHER

GRAEME RODGERS

“I am passionate about leveraging data and research to challenge the humanitarian sector to do better.”
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JULIE

PROGRAM MANAGER, DIGITAL INCLUSION

JULIE HELLER

“What greater joy is there than sharing knowledge about technology with those who haven’t had the privilege of accessing computers or the Internet?”
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BIZ

RESEARCHER, SWITCHBOARD

BIZ HERMAN

“I strive for my research to serve as a tool for resettlement practitioners, offering data-driven insights that can facilitate and deepen their work.”
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MIRIAM

Researcher

MIRIAM POTOCKY

"I am passionate about paying it forward."
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MEG GIBBON

Director, Switchboard

Meg Gibbon is an experienced program manager whose career has focused on instructional design, training and technical assistance, grant management, and monitoring and evaluation. Before joining Switchboard, she worked at the IRC managing the Monitoring and Evaluation Technical Assistance (META) Project and serving as a Program Manager for Resource Acquisition. Meg is passionate about learning and strives to ensure Switchboard is a trusted, high-quality resource for refugee service providers. She holds an MA in French from Middlebury College, specializing in francophone societies, and a BA in Religion from Barnard College, specializing in Islam.  

Tigest
Coleman

DEPUTY DIRECTOR, SWITCHBOARD

Tigest Coleman is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 20 years of experience working with refugees, immigrants, and other forcibly displaced populations in direct service, supervisory, and management positions. Prior to joining Switchboard, Tigest spent most of her career working in ORR’s Unaccompanied Refugee Minors Program, delivering intensive cross-cultural case management, clinical consultations, and resources for clients, staff, and various community agencies. Her many years of on-the-job experience have given her a well-rounded skillset to provide trauma-informed, client-centered, and culturally tailored services. Tigest holds a Master of Social Work from the University of Washington and a Bachelor of Science in Community Health. She is fluent in Amharic.

Leyla Dursunova

Sr. Program Officer, Measurement and partnerships

Leyla Dursunova is a social worker with nearly 20 years of experience in refugee resettlement, nonprofit development, and training and technical assistance. She began working with refugees in 2000 in Uzbekistan, where she coordinated a health training program for Afghan women. After moving to the United States, Leyla worked for Nationalities Service Center (NSC) in Philadelphia in the Reception and Placement, Matching Grant, and Ethnic Community Self-Help programs and later directed NSC’s development and communications efforts. She returned to NSC in 2021 to support resettlement and co-sponsorship efforts for Afghan evacuees. Leyla has also worked at the IRC as the Program Officer of the project for Strengthening Organizations Assisting Refugees (SOAR), providing training and technical assistance to ethnic community-based organizations. Leyla holds an MSW in Social Administration and International Social Welfare from Columbia University through a fellowship from the Open Society Institute. She is an alumna of International House NYC and is a licensed MSW in New York.

Kim Mays

sr. Program Officer, Learner engagement

Kimberly Mays is a digital technology enthusiast with over 15 years of experience in marketing, training, and web development. She leads the Switchboard Learner Engagement team in setting up systems and tools to facilitate trainings, events, and content delivery. Prior to joining Switchboard, she was the Senior Program Officer for Digital Initiatives at the IRC, where she trained staff on digital platforms and developed systems for digital program delivery. Her experience also includes working for marketing corporations as a business analyst, project manager, and developer. Outside of the IRC, Kimberly is a consultant who provides training to service-based businesses on using marketing automation. She holds an MBA from the Zicklin School of Business (CUNY Baruch) and a BS in Computer Information Systems from Fordham University. Kimberly is also a Certified Project Management Professional (PMP).

Liz Tompkins

SR. Program officer, strategy and operations

Liz Tompkins is a macro-level social worker with more than a decade of domestic and international experience. Learning about people and the systems that impact them led Liz to advocate for change in policies that affect refugee and immigrant families. Prior to joining Switchboard, Liz worked for over six years at Bethany Christian Services, most recently as the National Capacity Director for Refugee and Immigrant Programs funded by ORR. There she developed referral and placement systems that resulted in over 3,000 unaccompanied children being welcomed into short-term foster care before ultimately reuniting with their families. Liz is also an experienced facilitator, having presented at organizations and conferences on topics ranging from humanitarian concerns at the Southern Border to ethics in administration. Liz is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of Michigan and received both an MSW and MPA from Grand Valley State University. She is also a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer (RPCV), having served in Peru from 2012 to 2016.

Farah El Hassan

Program officer, Monitoring and Evaluation

Farah El Hassan began her career in the nonprofit sector working on an economic development program in the Middle East region. In her role, Farah oversaw the implementation of skills-building activities to increase employment opportunities among low-income populations. Prior to joining Switchboard, Farah developed and expanded programs that served immigrant and refugee youth and women at a nonprofit in Houston, TX. These programs focused on overcoming language barriers, establishing social connections, and increasing food security. Farah holds an MA in International Affairs from the Lebanese American University and an MSc in Social Policy (Research) from the London School of Economics and Political Science. She speaks Arabic and English.

Katie Zanoni

SENIOR RESEARCHER

Katie Zanoni is an educator and scholar-practitioner who aims to advance evidence-based practice to support newcomers. As the Senior Learning and Evidence Officer with the IRC, she applies her experience in program design, monitoring, and evaluation (DM&E) alongside more than 10 years in higher education. In collaboration with the Switchboard Research team, Katie supports the development of research evidence to strengthen programming. Previously, Katie co-designed and managed a diverse portfolio of programs serving women and youth at various organizations, including the IRC in San Diego. Working with international teams in Thailand (as a Peace Corps Volunteer), Kenya, and Myanmar, she brings her academic training as a researcher, curriculum designer, and facilitator into her praxis. Katie holds an EdD in International and Multicultural Education and an MA in Peace and Justice Studies.

Elijah Davis

Administrative manager

Elijah Davis is a business administrative professional with experience providing administrative support in the nonprofit and health care sectors. Over the years, he has developed strong skills in logistical planning, procurement, contracting vendors, compliance, and reporting. Elijah is passionate about using his skills at Switchboard to leverage resources for refugee service providers across the United States. Prior to joining Switchboard, Elijah served as an administrative assistant within the Johns Hopkins Medical System. He previously worked as an office manager at a nonprofit domestic violence and sexual assault center in Central Maryland. Elijah is currently studying Business Administration at the University of Maryland Global Campus.   

Sonali Jagdhane White

Program Officer, partnerships

Sonali Jagdhane White is an experienced program officer in partnership compliance and monitoring with an MA in Human Rights. Sonali’s interest in partnership work derives from her value of bringing communities together to address human rights issues. She comes to Switchboard from U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI), where she served as a Program Officer for three years, providing partnership oversight to service providers in the Trafficking Victim Assistance Program (TVAP) network. Sonali brings a varied background in anti-trafficking work: she has raised awareness at churches, volunteered on her college campus and at a survivor shelter, and worked at Polaris connecting clients to services. She is excited to transition from partnership building in the anti-trafficking sector to the refugee resettlement field.

Megan Rafferty

Training officer, Mental health and wellness

Megan Rafferty has worked in mental health settings providing culturally responsive, strengths-based, trauma-informed services to refugee and immigrant populations for over a decade. She has provided case management, individual therapy, and psychosocial group interventions to individuals experiencing a wide range of mental health concerns including depression, anxiety, trauma, substance use, and adjustment difficulties. She has also led program development, evaluation, and clinical supervision. Megan currently holds dual licensure in Colorado as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC). She received her master’s degree in International Disaster Psychology: Trauma and Global Mental Health from the University of Denver.

Selina Máté

Program manager, Digital Content

Selina Máté is a digital content manager with experience in refugee resettlement. Prior to joining Switchboard, she developed and managed a refugee youth mentorship program with World Relief in Durham, NC. In addition to her nonprofit background, she has experience in journalism, social media management, and WordPress development. Selina holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Huntington University.

raluca albu

Program manager, Communications

Raluca Albu is a former refugee sponsored by the IRC who was born in Romania and raised in the Bronx. She comes to Switchboard with a decade of communications experience at various NGOs and nonprofit organizations. Raluca most recently worked as the interim deputy editor for Doctors Without Borders and has held editorial positions at Guernica and BOMB magazines. Prior to her work in communications, she was a history teacher in the New York City public school system and an assistant professor of writing at NYU. Her own writing has been published in The Guardian, The Village Voice, Three Percent, and elsewhere. As an editor, educator, and writer, Raluca is passionate about sharing information in ways that help streamline and advance the professional development of resettlement service providers. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing and an MA in Social Studies Education from Columbia University.

Rosalie Arndt

Senior Program officer, Instructional design

Rosalie Arndt is an educator with 14 years of experience working with migrant and multilingual learners. Prior to joining Switchboard, she served for five years as the IRC Resettlement, Asylum, and Integration (RAI) Youth Education Coordinator in New York City. There she led programming for NYC’s refugee and asylee K–12 youth and assumed capacity-building roles across the RAI network, including Youth Education Community of Practice Leader. Rosalie began her career in Denver, CO, where she taught 1st grade for seven years and later served as an Instructional Coach and Assistant Principal, winning the Best Agent for Change Award and the Best School Leadership Award. Her experience also includes advising on culturally responsive education with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and publishing with Education Week magazine. Rosalie holds an MA in Education Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Colorado, Denver, and a BA in Sociology from the University of Colorado, Boulder.

David Pax K. Buatshia

Program officer, Web Development

David Pax K. Buatshia brings over a decade of experience in instructional design, web and software development, training, and project management. Prior to joining Switchboard, he worked as an instructional designer and web developer in higher education in the United States. He also served as a Microsoft Student Ambassador in Africa, providing technology training in university and corporate settings. In addition, David Pax is a Global Shaper at the World Economic Forum, where he discusses development issues with heads of state. He is a recipient of the Open Society Foundations (OSF) highly competitive Civil Society Leadership Awards (CSLA), which he received for designing an economic development plan for Congolese entrepreneurs and building a family planning app. David Pax holds a Master in Instructional Design, Development and Evaluation from Syracuse University and a BSc in Mathematics and Computer Science from Université Pédagogique Nationale (DR Congo). He is fluent in French, English, and Lingala.

Emily Smith

Editorial Manager

Emily Smith is an experienced copy editor who is committed to helping refugees, immigrants, and English language learners. Prior to joining Switchboard, she worked as a legal editor for the American Association for Justice and later as an academic copy editor for non-native English speakers. In addition to editing, Emily has volunteered extensively with nonprofit organizations that support newcomers. She brings four years of experience volunteering for the Blacksburg Refugee Partnership, where she served as the health care coordinator for a newly resettled Syrian family. She also taught English to immigrants and refugees for six years, first as an ESOL tutor in Virginia and then as an assistant ESOL instructor with JVS Boston. In her previous career as a lawyer, Emily successfully represented two minors in their applications for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status. She holds a BA in Anthropology from Brandeis University and a JD from Cornell Law School.

Sarah Diner

Program Officer, Research

Sarah Diner is a social scientist who comes to Switchboard from the direct service side of refugee resettlement. Prior to joining Switchboard, she worked for the Iowa Bureau of Refugee Services and a local USCRI affiliate managing caseworkers and providing direct service for the Matching Grant, Reception and Placement, and Afghan Humanitarian Parole programs. While pursuing her MA in Public Anthropology, Sarah served in the Peace Corps as a Community Services Specialist in Morocco, where she researched barriers to healthcare access in rural areas. She is passionate about using her research and writing skills to create resources that help providers deliver the best services possible to their newest neighbors. Sarah holds an MA in Public Anthropology from American University in Washington, D.C., and a MPH in Community and Behavioral Health from the University of Iowa.

Julie Markovitz

Program officer, Compliance

Julie Markovitz comes to Switchboard with 15 years of experience providing direct service to refugees and other newcomers at the IRC resettlement office in Dallas, TX. She started as the Office Coordinator, where she provided operations and finance support. She later became the Program Coordinator for the Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) program, an ORR-funded early employment program that helps people meet their most basic needs. Julie also worked with individuals in the Dallas area to complete Affidavits of Relationship (AORs) and Iranian Lautenberg (HIAS) family reunification applications to allow overseas relatives to reunite with their family in the U.S. Julie holds an MA in International Relations from Salve Regina University and a BFA in Art History with a minor in Business Law from the University of North Texas. 

Jenna Christie-Tabron

SENIOR PROGRAM OFFICER

Jenna Christie-Tabron is a licensed social worker in Arizona who has nearly a decade of experience in treating adults and adolescents facing various individual and family challenges. Jenna has worked as a trauma-focused clinician, advocate, educator, and consultant in the psychiatric, health care, judicial, and education systems. Originally from The Bahamas, she returned to her homeland in 2016 to serve adolescents in the Ministry of Social Services and help launch a mental health initiative for survivors who were displaced after a natural disaster. In 2022, she returned to the U.S. to begin her work with the IRC as the Intensive Case Management Supervisor for the Phoenix office. Jenna holds a BA in Psychology from East Carolina University, a master’s in Family Therapy from Drexel University, and a Master of Social Work from the University of Central Florida. She is a candidate for a Doctor of Education degree with a specialization in Organizational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University.

Rob Callus

Training officer, Community integration

Rob Callus is a lifelong educator with extensive experience working in instructional design, global health, and refugee resettlement. Prior to joining Switchboard, he was a program manager for World Relief in Durham, NC, where he supported school and community integration for refugee and immigrant families. Rob previously worked for Curamericas Global, where he designed and implemented maternal and neonatal child health training for community health workers in rural Kenya. He also taught English writing and served as a guidance counselor for two years at a high school in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, after graduating from the University of Notre Dame. Rob speaks Swahili and Spanish, and he is ESL-certified for both adults and youth. He is based in Durham, NC.

JASON CRISLIP

SR. Director, LEARNING

Jason Crislip is an experienced educator, trainer, and program manager who has worked in the field of refugee resettlement since 2003. He oversees Switchboard, the Cultural Orientation Resource Exchange (CORE), and other learning initiatives within IRC’s Resettlement, Asylum, and Integration (RAI) programs. Prior to CORE, Jason worked abroad for 15 years at the Resettlement Support Center for East Asia, the Overseas Processing Entity in West Africa, and as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Ghana. He holds a degree in Education from the University of Akron, Ohio

kinda hibrawi

Program Officer, Web design

Kinda Hibrawi is an acclaimed artist and creative director with over a decade of experience in digital design, nonprofit development, and refugee advocacy. While working at Karam Foundation, she co-founded and led seven education and creative therapy programs that served over 4,000 Syrian refugee children and youth on the Syrian-Turkish border from 2013 to 2015. After returning to the U.S., Kinda launched Suppers with Love, a volunteer-led program that connected American families to recently arrived Syrian refugees in Southern California. She later co-founded Mint + Laurel, a social impact business that advocates for internally displaced artisans in Syria and sells their handmade products online in the U.S. Kinda has also exhibited her own paintings in galleries across the U.S. and internationally for the last 20 years. In 2016, she was invited to the Eid Dinner at the White House by President Obama in recognition of her creative work as a Muslim-American artist. Based in Southern California, Kinda was born in Saudi Arabia and grew up between Bahrain, Lebanon, and Syria. She received her BFA from California State University of Fullerton, and she speaks fluent Arabic and English.  

Maya Wahrman

Training Officer, Client-centered Services

Maya Wahrman is a social worker licensed in New Jersey with a lifelong commitment to working with refugees and immigrants. She brings to Switchboard seven years of experience in resettlement and immigrant services, including direct case management, mental health counseling, school and education support, program management, and state government policy and administration. Maya previously served as the Refugee Health and Wellness Specialist in the New Jersey Office of New Americans. Before that, she was the Director of Case Management and the Refugee School Impact Coordinator at Interfaith-RISE, a local refugee resettlement agency. Maya holds a Master of Social Work from Rutgers University and a Bachelor of Arts in History with certificates in Near Eastern Studies and Creative Writing from Princeton University. She speaks English, Hebrew, and Spanish fluently, has basic proficiency in Arabic, and is currently learning Kannada. Maya grew up mostly between Israel and Indiana and now lives in New Jersey.

Campeon Ramirez

PROGRAM COORDINATOR, EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES

Campeon Ramirez brings experience in digital prototyping and product design, building curriculum, and teaching. Prior to joining Switchboard, he spent one year as a Virtual Reality Digital Inclusion Intern at IRC Salt Lake City, where he facilitated the use of virtual reality (VR) with newcomers attending cultural orientation. Now, as Program Coordinator for Emerging Technologies, Campeon develops VR content for IRC clients and trains IRC staff on its implementation. Content includes 360 degree videos that allow newcomers to experience simulations of navigating schools, transportation, health care, recreation, and shopping in the United States. Campeon’s passion lies in providing folks from marginalized communities access to emerging technology and the opportunities that arise from it. Campeon holds a Bachelor of Science Design in Multidisciplinary Design from the University of Utah.

Krysti Nellermoe

training officer, emerging technologies

Krysti Nellermoe is an experienced facilitator with nearly nine years in resettlement services. She comes to Switchboard from the IRC Salt Lake City office, where she first served as a caseworker and later worked in direct service, supervisory, and management positions designing and implementing youth and adult education programming for newcomers. At Switchboard, Krysti will lead the new Emerging Technologies and Digital Inclusion initiative, which will build service providers’ capacity to facilitate newcomers’ learning engagement, community navigation, and exposure to technology. Krysti is a former Digital Inclusion Fellow with NTEN, a technology-focused nonprofit. She holds certifications in Peace-Building and Conflict Transformation, TESOL, and Human Centered Design. Krysti completed an MA in International Studies in Shanghai, China, while teaching English to K–12 students.

DANICA KUSHNER

TRAINING OFFICER, EMPLOYMENT

Danica Kushner is a dedicated community advocate with a decade of specialized experience in workforce development and employment integration for refugees. Prior to joining Switchboard, she played pivotal roles at World Relief, LIRS, and Emily Griffith Technical College, where she designed and implemented refugee employment programs. Danica also worked in Lebanon, Jordan, and Iraq, where she enriched her understanding of global migration by supporting refugee projects delivering essential services such as food, shelter, and medical care. Danica holds a Master of Arts in Migration Studies from the University of Sussex and a Bachelor of Arts in Intercultural Studies from Biola University. She is proficient in Arabic.

Patricia Pineda

PROGRAM MANAGER, VIRTUAL EVENTS

Patricia Pineda is an operations and training professional with over 20 years of experience. Prior to joining Switchboard, she served for 13 years as Manager of Special Events Technology at the March of Dimes, where she managed the software technology, training, and equipment logistics for a $20 million special events portfolio. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Patricia managed a shift from running in-person events to producing virtual ones, empowering staff to navigate virtual meeting platforms. For her efforts, she received the President's Leadership Award for Outstanding Work on the “Healthy Moms, Strong Babies” Facebook Live events. Patricia has a passion for helping others and enjoys working in a team environment. She was born in the Dominican Republic and immigrated to the U.S. at age seven. She is fluent in Spanish.

dujka (juja) kovacevic

BUDGET OFFICER

Juja Kovacevic is an experienced finance professional who has worked at the IRC for the past 24 years. She was resettled in 1999 by the IRC as a refugee from Bosnia and soon began working at IRC San Diego as the Office Coordinator. Juja moved to the office’s Finance Department in 2008, where she grew into many roles. As Finance Manager, she supported the finance team and resettlement program staff and assisted in the deployment of new financial software. Juja also worked as a Regional Budget Manager for the five IRC field offices in the Pacific Mountain Region. She is now excited to join Switchboard as Budget Officer, supporting budget-versus-actual tracking, projections, re-forecasting, and budgeting for proposal development. Juja holds a bachelor’s degree in German Language and Literature from the University of Sarajevo and an MA in Accountancy from National University.  

Michael Brinn

Program officer, Instructional Design

Michael Brinn is an instructional designer and educator with 15 years of experience working with learners of all ages, including newcomer students and families. Prior to joining Switchboard, he worked as a Learning Designer at 2U, helping expand access to higher education by developing pedagogical philosophy for effective online learning and collaborating with professors to design graduate-level courses for a virtual setting. Prior to that, Michael worked for 11 years in schools with significant newcomer populations in Denver, CO. He served as both a middle school language arts teacher and elementary school administrator, supporting teachers and the school community in instructional design, equity and inclusion, community engagement, and school culture. Michael holds a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Denver and a Bachelor of Arts in Art History and Comparative Literature from Rutgers University.

Allison Bostrom

PROGRAM MANAGER, MONITORING & EVALUATION

Allison Bostrom is a researcher who is interested in how to best use data to improve programming for refugees and other newcomers. Before joining Switchboard, Allison worked as an intern on the Research, Analysis, and Learning team at the International Rescue Committee, where she developed evidence summaries based on literature reviews. In addition to her position at Switchboard, Allison volunteers and works as a Program Manager at the Immigrant and Refugee Outreach Center (IROC), where she supports newcomers to Washington, DC. She also writes for the blog Migrant Matters, focusing on U.S. and international response toward migrants. Allison maintains her connection to research by publishing on diverse topics including tech-based inequalities, the rule of law, and displacement. She holds an MSc in International Development from the University of Edinburgh and wrote her thesis on the relationship between imperialism and migration.

Claire Hopkins

TRAINING OFFICER, CHILD & FAMILY SERVICES

Claire Hopkins is an experienced advocate for refugees and immigrants, domestic and sexual violence survivors, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community. She has modeled a client-centered and trauma-informed approach through her work in training, case management, community engagement, and program development. Prior to joining Switchboard, Claire worked for nearly four years in refugee resettlement with unaccompanied refugee minors (URMs) and unaccompanied children (UCs) at Bethany Christian Services. In her role, she identified subject matter experts for staff professional development while recruiting and training foster parents who reflected the diverse cultures and identities of URMs and UCs welcomed into West Michigan. Before that, Claire built a volunteer program, facilitated community education, and provided short-term crisis counseling for survivors of domestic and sexual violence at Relief After Violent Encounter. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Grand Valley State University.

MAX GUMBEL

EDITORIAL MANAGER

Max Gumbel is an editor and consultant who has spent over a decade working on issues of displacement, migration, and resettlement. He started his career at Fenton, a political communications firm, where he drafted op-eds, speeches, and policy talking points for progressive government leaders and activists. Prior to joining Switchboard, Max served as a freelance writer and editor for academics, policymakers, and NGO directors. As an editorial and communications consultant, Max has helped Amnesty International USA, RAICES, and other organizations advocate for the improvement of U.S. migration policy. As a volunteer, he has supported asylee and refugee families both in his hometown of Los Angeles and abroad in Amman, Jordan. Max holds a BA in Anthropology and Middle East Studies from Columbia University.

KATHLEEN HOFFKINS

PROGRAM COORDINATOR, MONITORING & EVALUATION

Kathleen Hoffkins is passionate about finding data-driven solutions to systemic issues. Prior to joining Switchboard, she worked at Kids in Need of Defense (KIND), an organization providing legal services to unaccompanied children. Kathleen supported their Pro Bono Partnerships team, using data to improve client experience and provide pro bono attorneys with the necessary resources to succeed in their cases. In the past, she worked with international organizations to develop innovative public health programing and draft reports on human rights issues. Kathleen also conducted participatory research on food insecurity and menstrual inequality in partnership with community organizations in Washington, DC. She received a BA in Political Science and a certificate in Community-Based Research from American University. Kathleen is currently pursuing an MSW at Boston College.

Alisa Jimenez

PROGRAM OFFICER, PLANNING

Alisa Jimenez is a project manager with a background in justice sector legislation and reform. She has managed large team projects conducting analysis and recommending changes in justice systems and in United Nations policy. Prior to joining Switchboard, Alisa was a Project Manager for the Center for Policing Equity, an organization that finds alternatives to harmful policing practices in the U.S. She previously served on the Pathfinders’ justice team at the NYU Center on International Cooperation, where she worked alongside government representatives to produce research and analysis advocating for people-centered justice both within the UN and in domestic justice systems. During her graduate studies, she completed fellowships in program development and research at the IRC Airbel Impact Lab and the UN Development Programme in Kosovo. Alisa holds a master’s degree from the New School Graduate Program in International Affairs and a dual bachelor’s degree in International Relations and Anthropology from the University of Rochester.

Graeme Rodgers

SENIOR RESEARCHER

Graeme Rodgers is an anthropologist with more than 25 years of research experience. He studies the social, economic, and cultural effects of displacement among refugees, internally displaced persons, and persons displaced by large-scale development infrastructure. Graeme’s work examines the relationship between the effectiveness of humanitarian and development interventions and their social, economic, and political consequences. At Switchboard, he leads a study that explores the importance of compassion in service delivery for refugees resettled to the United States in a context of rapid social and technological change. He previously worked with organizations including Church World Service, the Refugee Studies Centre at Oxford University, and UNHCR in South Africa. Graeme holds a PhD in Social Anthropology from the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Julie Heller

PROGRAM MANAGER, DIGITAL INCLUSION

Julie Heller has three decades of professional experience in the education, digital, and nonprofit sectors. Prior to joining Switchboard, she coordinated the IRC Salt Lake City Digital Inclusion team, which provided laptops, broadband, and computer instruction to newcomers. Before that, Julie taught intercultural communication and ESL at small colleges in the Midwest and on the East Coast for over 10 years. She also worked in public radio and television for NPR and PBS, serving as a producer, audio editor, and host. Julie is currently an NTEN Fellow, working on a Tech Squad program that pairs volunteers with newcomer clients to bridge the digital divide. She also has experience as a videographer—producing an award-winning documentary on the Dine-Navajo during her graduate studies—and is a commercial drone pilot licensed with the Federal Aviation Administration. Julie holds an MA in Intercultural Communication from the University of Illinois and a BS in Meteorology from Western Illinois University.

Biz Herman

RESEARCHER

Biz Herman is an applied social scientist and multimedia storyteller serving as the Principal Investigator on the Annual Survey of Refugee Practitioners. Biz has more than a decade of experience in multi-method research, statistical analysis, data visualization, programming, and storytelling. Her research and reporting have focused on a range of topics: mental health and migration, ethical research practices, gender and politics, the politics of history, and more. Biz's primary academic research examines how psychological trauma impacts social cohesion and political participation in populations affected by forced displacement. Her work has been published in various national and international publications; in 2019, she reported on and photographed portraits of the women of the 116th Congress for The New York Times. Prior to joining Switchboard, she served as a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Pennsylvania’s Perry World House as part of the Borders and Boundaries Project. She received her PhD in Political Science from the University of California–Berkeley, and her BA in Economics and Political Science from Tufts University.

Miriam Potocky

RESEARCHER

A former child refugee from Czechoslovakia, Miriam Potocky is an internationally recognized researcher on U.S. refugee resettlement. She has authored nearly 100 publications, including the groundbreaking book Best Practices for Social Work with Refugees and Immigrants. Miriam’s research focuses on the implementation and dissemination of evidence-based practice in resettlement. Prior to joining Switchboard, Miriam was a tenured professor of social work for over 25 years. She holds an MSW and a PhD in social welfare from the University of Kansas. She is fluent in Czech and is a dual citizen of the U.S. and E.U.