Board of Directors
Jennifer Borrell, President
Jennifer Borrell has a Master's Degree in Library and Information Science and currently works at Etsy, where she acts as a "librarian of products," working to make it easier for customers to find what they are looking for. Jenn has previously held similar positions with Grainger, Sears, and Motorola.
In 2015, she called Rep. Jan Schakowsky's office to find out how she could help in response to the Syrian refugee crisis. They referred her to RefugeeOne and she and her husband, Jay, have been supporters ever since. As an avid crafter, Jenn was especially excited to see RefugeeOne open the Sewing Studio and begin offering sewing classes as a way for refugees to learn a new skill and break into the job market in their new home.
Jenn lives in Arlington Heights with Jay and their son. They are active members of St. John United Church of Christ.
In 2015, she called Rep. Jan Schakowsky's office to find out how she could help in response to the Syrian refugee crisis. They referred her to RefugeeOne and she and her husband, Jay, have been supporters ever since. As an avid crafter, Jenn was especially excited to see RefugeeOne open the Sewing Studio and begin offering sewing classes as a way for refugees to learn a new skill and break into the job market in their new home.
Jenn lives in Arlington Heights with Jay and their son. They are active members of St. John United Church of Christ.
Douglas Meyer, Vice President
Rev. Douglas Meyer recently retired after 40 years as an ordained minister of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. For the last 25 years he served as Co-Pastor with his wife of Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit in Lincolnshire, Illinois, a congregation which actively co-sponsored the resettlement of three refugee families.
Pastor Doug earned his Bachelor degree from Augustana College in Rock Island and his Divinity degree from Luther Theological Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota. He previously served parishes on Chicago’s southside and in the southwest suburbs. Over the years he has served in a variety of community and synodical capacities including as Dean of the North Conference of the Metro Chicago Synod and Chair of the Synodical Outreach Committee. He previously served on the RefugeeOne board from 2010-2016 including years as board secretary and president.
Pastor Doug is married to the Rev. Christine Meyer and lives in Galena, Illinois. They have three grown sons.
Pastor Doug earned his Bachelor degree from Augustana College in Rock Island and his Divinity degree from Luther Theological Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota. He previously served parishes on Chicago’s southside and in the southwest suburbs. Over the years he has served in a variety of community and synodical capacities including as Dean of the North Conference of the Metro Chicago Synod and Chair of the Synodical Outreach Committee. He previously served on the RefugeeOne board from 2010-2016 including years as board secretary and president.
Pastor Doug is married to the Rev. Christine Meyer and lives in Galena, Illinois. They have three grown sons.
Tom Mitchell, Treasurer
Tom Mitchell retired in 2019 after a 33 year career at The Northern Trust Company in the Wealth Management side of the business. He graduated from Northwestern University in 1986 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science.
Tom and his family became aware of RefugeeOne through The First Congregational Church of Western Springs. Over the past few years, they have had the privilege to meet some of the wonderful families that RefugeeOne serves.
Tom and his wife, Stacia Kopplin, reside in Western Springs. They have three children.
Tom and his family became aware of RefugeeOne through The First Congregational Church of Western Springs. Over the past few years, they have had the privilege to meet some of the wonderful families that RefugeeOne serves.
Tom and his wife, Stacia Kopplin, reside in Western Springs. They have three children.
Talla Saghafi Mountjoy, Secretary
Talla Saghafi Mountjoy was born in the US to parents who left Iran in the wake of the Islamic Revolution, Talla grew up in a household invigorated by American opportunity yet steeped in the rich traditions of Iran.
The issue of refugee resettlement is personal for her. Growing up, she heard far too many stories of family and friends fleeing Iran, unable to go back to the place they called home. And witnessed how hard resettlement can be without strong institutions when she worked with refugees in New York and Egypt. She is honored to be part of RefugeeOne’s board, an organization that helps refugees from the moment they land in Chicago.
Talla leads her own consulting practice, providing strategic counsel and direction to nonprofits and mission-driven organizations. As a consultant, she brings 10+ years of experience working at Deloitte, where she built a wealth of knowledge across strategy consulting, brand management, and digital technologies. She also received her MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. She lives in Hyde Park with her husband and two children.
The issue of refugee resettlement is personal for her. Growing up, she heard far too many stories of family and friends fleeing Iran, unable to go back to the place they called home. And witnessed how hard resettlement can be without strong institutions when she worked with refugees in New York and Egypt. She is honored to be part of RefugeeOne’s board, an organization that helps refugees from the moment they land in Chicago.
Talla leads her own consulting practice, providing strategic counsel and direction to nonprofits and mission-driven organizations. As a consultant, she brings 10+ years of experience working at Deloitte, where she built a wealth of knowledge across strategy consulting, brand management, and digital technologies. She also received her MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. She lives in Hyde Park with her husband and two children.
Amynah Ali
Amynah Ali is a Senior Vice President at Northern Trust. In her current role, Amynah leads a global team and is responsible for the establishment and implementation of Northern’s third party risk management program. Prior to this role, Amynah was a Director of Procurement at BMO Harris Bank and an Assistant Vice President at MetLife.
Amynah has a passion for giving back. She engages within her community to provide education for youth, offer pro bono consulting services to not-for-profit organizations, and mentor young professionals. In her free time, Amynah studies classical music and enjoys spending time with her family.
Amynah is a member of the Ismaili Community Center and Jamatkhana who helped resettled dozens of Afghan refugees after their evacuation from Kabul in 2022. She personally got involved with RefugeeOne in 2022 to help craft our 5-year strategic plan.
Amynah received her Bachelors from University of California at Los Angeles and an MBA from Columbia Business School in New York.
Amynah has a passion for giving back. She engages within her community to provide education for youth, offer pro bono consulting services to not-for-profit organizations, and mentor young professionals. In her free time, Amynah studies classical music and enjoys spending time with her family.
Amynah is a member of the Ismaili Community Center and Jamatkhana who helped resettled dozens of Afghan refugees after their evacuation from Kabul in 2022. She personally got involved with RefugeeOne in 2022 to help craft our 5-year strategic plan.
Amynah received her Bachelors from University of California at Los Angeles and an MBA from Columbia Business School in New York.
Sonia Bobra
Dr. Sonia Bobra is a Neuroradiologist at the Edward Hines Jr. Veterans Hospital, and Assistant Professor at Loyola Stritch School of Medicine. She earned her MD from Northwestern University Medical School and MPH from the University of Minnesota.
Dr. Bobra’s interest in public and global health have spanned the last 20+ years, including internships at the World Health Organization and Physicians for Human Rights. A lifelong advocate for the underserved, she has traveled to rural India to provide medical care and to Tanzania to teach radiology at Kilimanjaro Medical College. She is part of the 2021-22 Class of the Chicago Council of Global Affairs Emerging Leaders Program.
Bobra is married to Sachin D. Shah and the mother of 3 young children. In 2021, they brought together the ‘Chitown Dreamers’, a group of friends who cosponsored a refugee family arriving from Syria through RefugeeOne. As children of immigrants, they feel a deep connection to families settling in a new country, and hope to help refugees as they build a new life and home to fulfill their dreams in Chicago.
Dr. Bobra’s interest in public and global health have spanned the last 20+ years, including internships at the World Health Organization and Physicians for Human Rights. A lifelong advocate for the underserved, she has traveled to rural India to provide medical care and to Tanzania to teach radiology at Kilimanjaro Medical College. She is part of the 2021-22 Class of the Chicago Council of Global Affairs Emerging Leaders Program.
Bobra is married to Sachin D. Shah and the mother of 3 young children. In 2021, they brought together the ‘Chitown Dreamers’, a group of friends who cosponsored a refugee family arriving from Syria through RefugeeOne. As children of immigrants, they feel a deep connection to families settling in a new country, and hope to help refugees as they build a new life and home to fulfill their dreams in Chicago.
Anne Brody
Anne Brody is committed to welcoming and assisting refugees who have worked hard to come to this country. At RefugeeOne, she has volunteered in the office, tutored adults in English, and interfaced with major donors. She was most inspired by an Afghani “woman of a certain age” who could not read in her native language but has managed to learn to read English and negotiate public transportation.
Previously, as an attorney in private practice, she spent 17 years as a transactional attorney at Mayer Brown and Platt (now Mayer Brown) and Holleb & Coff. She has advised non-profits and served on numerous non-profit boards.
Anne graduated cum laude from Occidental College and with high honors from Chicago Kent Law School where she served as Managing Editor of the Law Review.
Previously, as an attorney in private practice, she spent 17 years as a transactional attorney at Mayer Brown and Platt (now Mayer Brown) and Holleb & Coff. She has advised non-profits and served on numerous non-profit boards.
Anne graduated cum laude from Occidental College and with high honors from Chicago Kent Law School where she served as Managing Editor of the Law Review.
Rebecca Carlins
Born in Rangoon, Burma, Rebecca Carlins spent her early childhood there before immigrating to the United States in 1971 with her parents, brother and sister. Her family settled in Skokie, Illinois. She went on to graduate from Northwestern University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Sociology, and from Loyola University of Chicago School of Law. Previously, Rebecca served as a Litigation Associate for Rooks, Pitts and Poust and as an attorney at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Midwest Regional Office.
Rebecca has been a supporter of RefugeeOne for more than 10 years. She previously served on the RefugeeOne board from 2013-2019, co-chairing several annual galas. She currently serves as the chair of its capital campaign committee and chair of its building committee.
Rebecca spends her free time traveling, running, biking, doing yoga and volunteering with a variety of Chicago philanthropic organizations.
Rebecca has been a supporter of RefugeeOne for more than 10 years. She previously served on the RefugeeOne board from 2013-2019, co-chairing several annual galas. She currently serves as the chair of its capital campaign committee and chair of its building committee.
Rebecca spends her free time traveling, running, biking, doing yoga and volunteering with a variety of Chicago philanthropic organizations.
Diana Fulaza
Born in Rwanda, Diana Fulaza has called Chicago home since 2004 when she arrived as a 22-year-old refugee.
From the start, Diana was determined to take advantage of opportunities available to her. She began studying English at Truman College, and as her language skills developed, enrolled in nursing school. Her passion to help others allowed her to quickly work her way from Nursing Assistant, to BSN Nurse, to Nurse Practitioner. In 2020, she earned a Master’s Degree in Nursing, with an Advance Practice Certification as a Family Nurse Practitioner, from Chamberlain University. She has been working for Northshore University HealthSystem’s Evanston Hospital for 13 years as an Oncology Nurse with a concentration in stem cell reinfusion.
Simultaneously, Diana has been compelled to help other refugees through RefugeeOne —first as an interpreter and later by organizing colleagues to collect more than 120 coats for Syrian refugees. As a medical volunteer, she helped a refugee through a high-risk pregnancy and many others with health needs, and recently mentored a young Congolese refugee as she started nursing school.
From the start, Diana was determined to take advantage of opportunities available to her. She began studying English at Truman College, and as her language skills developed, enrolled in nursing school. Her passion to help others allowed her to quickly work her way from Nursing Assistant, to BSN Nurse, to Nurse Practitioner. In 2020, she earned a Master’s Degree in Nursing, with an Advance Practice Certification as a Family Nurse Practitioner, from Chamberlain University. She has been working for Northshore University HealthSystem’s Evanston Hospital for 13 years as an Oncology Nurse with a concentration in stem cell reinfusion.
Simultaneously, Diana has been compelled to help other refugees through RefugeeOne —first as an interpreter and later by organizing colleagues to collect more than 120 coats for Syrian refugees. As a medical volunteer, she helped a refugee through a high-risk pregnancy and many others with health needs, and recently mentored a young Congolese refugee as she started nursing school.
Julie Grafe
The Rev. Julie Grafe has served as pastor of Our Savior Evangelical Lutheran Church of Aurora and as pastoral intern at Lutheran Church of the Ascension in Northfield, Illinois.
A registered nurse, Julie earned a B.S.N. from Capital University in Columbus, Ohio. She spent many years in home health nursing before entering seminary.
Julie was introduced to RefugeeOne and refugee resettlement in 2009 by the pastor of her home congregation. Recognizing the call to love our neighbors, she jumped at the invitation to be involved, coordinating co-sponsorship efforts for refugee families and stewarding donation drive collections.
Julie and her husband live in Aurora, Illinois and are proud parents of two young adults.
A registered nurse, Julie earned a B.S.N. from Capital University in Columbus, Ohio. She spent many years in home health nursing before entering seminary.
Julie was introduced to RefugeeOne and refugee resettlement in 2009 by the pastor of her home congregation. Recognizing the call to love our neighbors, she jumped at the invitation to be involved, coordinating co-sponsorship efforts for refugee families and stewarding donation drive collections.
Julie and her husband live in Aurora, Illinois and are proud parents of two young adults.
Catherine Guthrie
Catherine Guthrie is the former President of Leo Burnett Worldwide, an advertising agency, where she spent 34 years managing large global clients. Her time working and living overseas, often traveling to developing countries, has given Catherine first hand experience with the plight of refugees. She has been tutoring English at RefugeeOne since 2016.
Catherine currently serves on the Board of Directors for NorthShore University Health Systems. She received a B.A. in communications and B.S. in Journalism from the University of Colorado.
Catherine and her husband Warren live in Winnetka and have three sons.
Catherine currently serves on the Board of Directors for NorthShore University Health Systems. She received a B.A. in communications and B.S. in Journalism from the University of Colorado.
Catherine and her husband Warren live in Winnetka and have three sons.
Gary Kaufman
Dr. Gary Kaufman serves as the medical director of the Antillas health center at Sinai Chicago, the largest refugee clinic in Illinois. He has provided medical care to refugees for 20 years. Boarded in both internal medicine and pediatrics, he has treated refugees of all ages and has assured proper treatment of patients with diagnoses as diverse as severe heart disease to leprosy. Under his direction, the clinic boasts more than 15 languages spoken in-house and welcomes all patients to its doors.
Dr. Kaufman has worked intimately with RefugeeOne and through mutual cooperation have assured that the most ill refugees have effective treatment plans in place prior to U.S. arrival. Through his role on the board, he provides RefugeeOne with guidance as to the medical needs of refugee groups.
Aside from working with refugees, Dr. Kaufman speaks American Sign Language and is the medical director for Sinai Deaf Health. He is passionate about bringing healthcare to marginalized populations.
Dr. Kaufman has worked intimately with RefugeeOne and through mutual cooperation have assured that the most ill refugees have effective treatment plans in place prior to U.S. arrival. Through his role on the board, he provides RefugeeOne with guidance as to the medical needs of refugee groups.
Aside from working with refugees, Dr. Kaufman speaks American Sign Language and is the medical director for Sinai Deaf Health. He is passionate about bringing healthcare to marginalized populations.
Evan Moilan
Evan Moilan is a Partner at GSB Fundraising, a national consulting firm for nonprofit organizations.
He brings more than 25 years of executive leadership and board service for nonprofits across the country. His commitment to refugee resettlement includes prior service as the Chair of the Board for Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, one of 9 national resettlement agencies, and as Chief Mission Officer for Upbring, where he worked closely with the office of Refugee Resettlement to provide short and long-term foster care for unaccompanied refugee minors.
Evan first connected with RefugeeOne as counsel on our capital campaign, for which donors generously contributed more than $5,000,000.
Evan and his wife Heather, live in Bastrop, Texas with their two children, enjoying the arts, music, and food of Austin.
He brings more than 25 years of executive leadership and board service for nonprofits across the country. His commitment to refugee resettlement includes prior service as the Chair of the Board for Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, one of 9 national resettlement agencies, and as Chief Mission Officer for Upbring, where he worked closely with the office of Refugee Resettlement to provide short and long-term foster care for unaccompanied refugee minors.
Evan first connected with RefugeeOne as counsel on our capital campaign, for which donors generously contributed more than $5,000,000.
Evan and his wife Heather, live in Bastrop, Texas with their two children, enjoying the arts, music, and food of Austin.
Michael Petersen
Michael Petersen graduated from Colgate University in 1977 and began a 45 year career with Petersen Aluminum Corporation, a family-owned national manufacturer of architectural metals. The company was acquired by the Carlisle Companies in 2019 and Michael retired in 2022.
During his career he served as chair of the National Association of Aluminum Distributors and later served as chair of the Metal Service Center Institute following that organization’s merger with the aluminum group. In the non-profit sector, Michael previously served as chair of A Just Harvest and currently serves on the board of Writer’s Theatre in Glencoe.
Michael first became involved with RefugeeOne in 2017 when he and a group of members of Kenilworth Union Church sponsored a family of eleven from the Congo.
Michael and his wife Laurie live in Winnetka and are parents of two adult children that live in the area.
During his career he served as chair of the National Association of Aluminum Distributors and later served as chair of the Metal Service Center Institute following that organization’s merger with the aluminum group. In the non-profit sector, Michael previously served as chair of A Just Harvest and currently serves on the board of Writer’s Theatre in Glencoe.
Michael first became involved with RefugeeOne in 2017 when he and a group of members of Kenilworth Union Church sponsored a family of eleven from the Congo.
Michael and his wife Laurie live in Winnetka and are parents of two adult children that live in the area.
Stacy French Reynolds
Stacy French Reynolds is a strategic advising consultant and partner at Anchor Advisors, LLC. She guides organizations to make tangible, lasting change to create the transformation they seek. She has advised more than 70 clients, with a focus on social service non-profits, law firms, and those with governance or advisory boards.
Stacy has been involved with RefugeeOne since 2007. Initially a consultant, Stacy quickly fell in love with the organization’s mission, and she has been a regular supporter since. Stacy particularly enjoys the annual benefit as an opportunity to celebrate the incredible successes that refugee families and staff achieve every day. She joined the board in 2020.
Stacy earned her Master of Science in Managerial Communication from Northwestern and her bachelor’s degree from Calvin University. Stacy enjoys baking, entertaining, and motorcycle riding. She resides in Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood with her husband David.
Stacy has been involved with RefugeeOne since 2007. Initially a consultant, Stacy quickly fell in love with the organization’s mission, and she has been a regular supporter since. Stacy particularly enjoys the annual benefit as an opportunity to celebrate the incredible successes that refugee families and staff achieve every day. She joined the board in 2020.
Stacy earned her Master of Science in Managerial Communication from Northwestern and her bachelor’s degree from Calvin University. Stacy enjoys baking, entertaining, and motorcycle riding. She resides in Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood with her husband David.
Bradley Schmarak
Brad Schmarak is a Partner and the Global Co-Head of the Private Equity Group at ReedSmith law firm, where he has worked for more than 30 years. ReedSmith is well known internationally for its pro bono work representing asylum-seekers, refugees and victims of torture.
Brad’s work with refugees began while interning for a Member of Parliament in London during college. He worked closely with two Russian Pentecostal families fleeing religious persecution. They were eventually offered asylum in the United States.
Brad holds an MS in Accounting from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, as well as a J.D. from Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law. He is the lead pro bono lawyer for One Goal, a member of the Board of Directors of the National Kidney Foundation of Illinois’ Middle Market Open, and a trustee of Ravinia Festival.
Brad’s work with refugees began while interning for a Member of Parliament in London during college. He worked closely with two Russian Pentecostal families fleeing religious persecution. They were eventually offered asylum in the United States.
Brad holds an MS in Accounting from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, as well as a J.D. from Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law. He is the lead pro bono lawyer for One Goal, a member of the Board of Directors of the National Kidney Foundation of Illinois’ Middle Market Open, and a trustee of Ravinia Festival.
Kruti Parikh Shah
Kruti Parikh Shah, PharmD, is an Indo-Canadian American whose life has spanned three countries. She was raised by a single mother who immigrated to Canada from India when Kruti was a teenager. As a first-generation immigrant, she understands the challenges and hardships associated with resettlement.
Due to her strong desire and commitment to be of service to others who have been displaced, she has volunteered with RefugeeOne as a cosponsor of a Syrian refugee family, at RefugeeOne’s winter clothing drive, and in a fundraising campaign to build our new headquarters. Passion for supporting immigrants runs in the family - her husband, Tejas Shah, is an immigration attorney and serves on the executive board of the Indo-American Center, a nonprofit in Rogers Park.
Dr. Shah is a Clinical Operations Pharmacist at Rush University Medical Center. As a woman of color and having a disability of hearing loss, she is actively engaged in advocacy work for Disability, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at RUSH. She is on the steering committee for the Disabilities Employee Resource Group (DERG), is a 2023 Disability Lead Institute fellow, and a RUSH Public Voice fellow with the OpEd Project.
Due to her strong desire and commitment to be of service to others who have been displaced, she has volunteered with RefugeeOne as a cosponsor of a Syrian refugee family, at RefugeeOne’s winter clothing drive, and in a fundraising campaign to build our new headquarters. Passion for supporting immigrants runs in the family - her husband, Tejas Shah, is an immigration attorney and serves on the executive board of the Indo-American Center, a nonprofit in Rogers Park.
Dr. Shah is a Clinical Operations Pharmacist at Rush University Medical Center. As a woman of color and having a disability of hearing loss, she is actively engaged in advocacy work for Disability, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at RUSH. She is on the steering committee for the Disabilities Employee Resource Group (DERG), is a 2023 Disability Lead Institute fellow, and a RUSH Public Voice fellow with the OpEd Project.
Ilya Sheyman
Ilya Sheyman's family came to the Chicago area as Jewish refugees from the former Soviet Union when he was four years old. Thirty-one years later, together with his wife, children and a group of close friends, he had the opportunity to pay the support his family had received forward by forming a co-sponsor group with RefugeeOne to welcome and help support a family of newly arriving refugees from Afghanistan.
Ilya is currently CEO at the Good Food Institute where he leads a team of scientists, entrepreneurs, lawyers, lobbyists, advocates, and other experts building a more sustainable food system. Prior to that experience Ilya spent nearly seven years as.executive director at MoveOn (a public policy advocacy group and political action committee), and worked as a strategic consultant to a variety of nonprofits, advocacy efforts, and national legislative campaigns.
Ilya lives in Evanston with his wife Sara, their children and numerous animal companions.
Ilya is currently CEO at the Good Food Institute where he leads a team of scientists, entrepreneurs, lawyers, lobbyists, advocates, and other experts building a more sustainable food system. Prior to that experience Ilya spent nearly seven years as.executive director at MoveOn (a public policy advocacy group and political action committee), and worked as a strategic consultant to a variety of nonprofits, advocacy efforts, and national legislative campaigns.
Ilya lives in Evanston with his wife Sara, their children and numerous animal companions.
Steve Varick
Steve Varick retired as a partner from Holland & Knight, LLP and McBride Baker & Coles, where he practiced commercial litigation, combined with an active pro bono practice, for 38 years. In his retirement, he continues to represent asylum seekers in Immigration Court, the Board of Immigration Appeals and the Courts of Appeals.
Steve earned a Bachelor of Arts from Knox College, and a Juris Doctor from the University of Chicago.
Steve’s path to RefugeeOne was the confluence of several sources. Steve’s wife, Susan, has volunteered with RefugeeOne for over a decade as a mentor to refugees from Iraq, Myanmar and Syria. Steve’s asylum practice helped him recognize the challenges facing refugees and those hoping to become refugees. And, as a member of Congregation Hakafa, Steve has seen how a faith community can come together to help refugees meet some of those challenges. And all of those experiences taught Steve the invaluable role played by RefugeeOne.
Steve and Susan live in Glencoe. They have three grown children and one grandchild.
Steve earned a Bachelor of Arts from Knox College, and a Juris Doctor from the University of Chicago.
Steve’s path to RefugeeOne was the confluence of several sources. Steve’s wife, Susan, has volunteered with RefugeeOne for over a decade as a mentor to refugees from Iraq, Myanmar and Syria. Steve’s asylum practice helped him recognize the challenges facing refugees and those hoping to become refugees. And, as a member of Congregation Hakafa, Steve has seen how a faith community can come together to help refugees meet some of those challenges. And all of those experiences taught Steve the invaluable role played by RefugeeOne.
Steve and Susan live in Glencoe. They have three grown children and one grandchild.
Felice Weinberg Nelson
Felice Weinberg Nelson is the president of Weinberg Hosiery Co., a family-owned company on the near South Side of Chicago founded by her father. Felice has been an integral part of her family’s business since 1986, and believes in giving back to the community that has fostered it for 69 years.
A first generation American, Felice knows firsthand the resilience and resourcefulness brought to the U.S. by its diverse refugee and immigrant communities. Working with RefugeeOne was a natural fit as she sought to support the needs of Chicago’s refugee population. Felice has previously volunteered with JUF, the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center, GirlForward, Skokie School District 28 ELL Center, Youth for Understanding, and Northbrook School District 28.
Felice and her husband Richard have 4 grown children and live in Chicago.
A first generation American, Felice knows firsthand the resilience and resourcefulness brought to the U.S. by its diverse refugee and immigrant communities. Working with RefugeeOne was a natural fit as she sought to support the needs of Chicago’s refugee population. Felice has previously volunteered with JUF, the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center, GirlForward, Skokie School District 28 ELL Center, Youth for Understanding, and Northbrook School District 28.
Felice and her husband Richard have 4 grown children and live in Chicago.
Hartwig Zakin
Hartwig Zakin has extensive experience in the non-profit sector, currently consulting for the Executive Director of Braven – New Jersey on external affairs and strategy formulation. Prior to joining Braven, Hartwig was the Alumni Director of America Needs You and the Executive Director of the Global Business Coalition against Human Trafficking. Previously, Hartwig held management positions with two social enterprises (Cleanslate Chicago and 180° Properties) under the auspices of the Cara Program, one of Chicago’s leading workforce development agencies.
Hartwig is a committed refugee resettlement advocate and a long-term supporter of RefugeeOne. He served on the RefugeeOne Board from 2009-2015, including as President from 2011-2014, before rejoining the Board in 2022.
A native of Germany, Hartwig holds a Master of Science degree in Foreign Service from Georgetown University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations and French from the University of Southern California. He is a passionate traveler, soccer fan, student of history, and triathlete. Hartwig and his wife Anne reside in Maplewood, NJ.
Hartwig Zakin has extensive experience in the non-profit sector, currently consulting for the Executive Director of Braven – New Jersey on external affairs and strategy formulation. Prior to joining Braven, Hartwig was the Alumni Director of America Needs You and the Executive Director of the Global Business Coalition against Human Trafficking. Previously, Hartwig held management positions with two social enterprises (Cleanslate Chicago and 180° Properties) under the auspices of the Cara Program, one of Chicago’s leading workforce development agencies.
Hartwig is a committed refugee resettlement advocate and a long-term supporter of RefugeeOne. He served on the RefugeeOne Board from 2009-2015, including as President from 2011-2014, before rejoining the Board in 2022.
A native of Germany, Hartwig holds a Master of Science degree in Foreign Service from Georgetown University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations and French from the University of Southern California. He is a passionate traveler, soccer fan, student of history, and triathlete. Hartwig and his wife Anne reside in Maplewood, NJ.