Refugee Advocacy Lab Team

The Refugee Advocacy Lab is an initiative hosted at Refugees International and co-founded with the International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP) and Refugee Congress. We partner closely with Church World Service, the Center for Victims of Torture, World Relief and Vibrant Ohio to have an impact on the ground in key states.

 

Kate Brick (she/her)

Executive Director

Kate Brick is the Executive Director of the Refugee Advocacy Lab and Senior Advisor to Refugees International’s Strategic Outreach team. Kate brings 15 years of experience working on immigration and refugee policy and advocacy internationally and in the United States most recently as Deputy Executive Director at the Mayors Migration Council (MMC). Prior to the MMC, Kate was the Director of State & Local Initiatives at New American Economy (now merged with the American Immigration Council). Kate holds an MA in International Affairs from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs and a BA in Latin American Studies from the George Washington University.

Balqees Mihirig (she/her)

Senior Policy Advisor

Balqees Mihirig is the Senior Policy Advisor at the Lab and Senior Policy Counsel at the International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP). Prior to joining IRAP, Balqees was Senior Legislative Counsel to the Committee on Civil and Human Rights and the Committee on Consumer Affairs & Business Licensing at the New York City Council. Balqees obtained her law degree from the University of Alberta Faculty of Law and her LL.M. from Columbia Law School. She has a B.A. in history and communications from Simon Fraser University. Balqees is a member of the New York bar.

Ali Aljundi (he/him)

Leadership Development Manager

Ali Aljundi is the Leadership Development Manager for the Refugee Advocacy Lab and Membership Engagement and Leadership Development Manager for Refugee Congress. Ali is a refugee and immigrant advocate since his arrival to the United States in 2012. Ali was a development professional and civic activist in Syria after a long career in the private sector and brings more than a decade of experience in policy advocacy, and career development. Ali holds a master’s degree in sustainable international development from Brandeis University in Massachusetts and a bachelor’s degree in economics from Damascus University in Syria.

Sarah Sheffer (she/her)

Communications Lead

Sarah Sheffer is the Communications Lead for the Refugee Advocacy Lab and the Vice President for Strategic Outreach at Refugees International. Sarah has nearly a decade of experience in strategic communications, having previously worked with the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Burson Marsteller, Thomson Reuters, and the PBS NewsHour. She holds a Bachelor’s in international affairs and Middle East studies from Northeastern University.

Tobin C. Williamson (he/him)

Senior Partnerships & Policy Manager

Tobin C. Williamson is the Senior Partnerships & Policy Manager at the Refugee Advocacy Lab, housed at Refugees International. Prior to joining the Lab, Tobin was the Manager of Advocacy & Policy with the Maine Immigrants’ Rights Coalition and brings years of experience from working in U.S. Congressional Offices and Consulates General. Tobin earned a Master’s Degree in Political Science from the University of North Carolina, and a B.S. in Geography and a B.A. in International Studies from the University of Central Arkansas.

Sheridan Block (she/her)

Communications Manager

Sheridan Block is the Communications Manager for the Refugee Advocacy Lab and Refugee Congress. Sheridan brings more than 6 years of experience working with nonprofits around the world, supporting communications, fundraising, and outreach efforts. Holding a bachelor’s degree in communications and journalism, Sheridan is adept at crafting compelling stories. Her writing has earned her recognition and awards, including from the Colorado Press Association. Sheridan is deeply committed to uplifting the voices and experiences of refugees, and creating spaces for impactful storytelling.

Megan Smith (she/they)

Outreach Officer

Megan Smith is the Outreach Officer for the Refugee Advocacy Lab and Refugees International. Previously, she worked in outreach, programs, and communications at several non-profit organizations including the World Affairs Councils of America, Christel House International, and the Lumina Foundation. Megan holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies from the University of Evansville and a Master of Arts in International Studies from Indiana University.

Darlene Lynch (she/her)

Georgia State Lead

Darlene Lynch is the Georgia State Lead. She is a long-time human rights advocate and experienced lawyer and serves as the Head of External Relations for The Center for Victims of Torture (CVT) in Georgia. She began her career as a civil litigation attorney and criminal prosecutor in Massachusetts. She holds a JD with honors from the University of Chicago Law School and a BA from Georgetown University.

Alison Beckman (she/her)

Minnesota State Lead

Alison Beckman is the Minnesota State Lead for the Lab and the Senior Clinician for External Relations for The Center for Victims of Torture (CVT) in Minnesota. She has worked at CVT for 24 years in a variety of capacities from providing psychological evaluations and treatment services to survivors or torture to now focusing on public policy and advocacy. She holds a Master of Social Work from the University of Minnesota, is licensed by the Minnesota Board of Social Work as a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker.

Amber Díaz Pearson (she/her)

North Carolina State Lead

Amber Díaz Pearson is the North Carolina State Lead for the Lab and the Community Engagement Manager for World Relief Durham. She supports advocacy, community and church partnerships, and mobilization to support newcomer families. She holds a Ph.D. and a A.M. in political science from Duke University, with a B.A. in Spanish and a B.S. in political science from Arizona State University.

Guadalupe A. Velasquez (ella/she/her)

Ohio State Lead

Guadalupe A. Velasquez is the Ohio State Lead for the Lab, the Managing Director of Welcoming City, and a founding member and President of Vibrant Ohio. For more than twenty years, she has been a source for community members in aiding and accessing city, county, and state resources. Her mission, fueled by a deep devotion and commitment to serving and uplifting others, is to cultivate and bring recognition to Ohio as a welcoming state for all refugees and other newcomers.

Nacia Castañeda (she/her)

Oregon State Lead

Nacia Castañeda is the Oregon State Lead for the Lab and the Community Organizer at Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon and Church World Service. She works with immigrant communities to reunite families and connect them to resources. She also advocates for immigrant rights and immigration legal services for low-income individuals. Born in Mexico and has lived in Oregon since elementary school, she gets great satisfaction from helping fellow Oregonians and connecting them to the right people.

Rwamucyo Karekezi (he/him)

Pennsylvania State Lead

Rwamucyo Karekezi is the Pennsylvania State Lead for the Lab and the Refugee and Immigrant Community Organizer with CWS based in Lancaster, PA. He was a refugee in Rwanda for two decades before he resettled in the U.S. in 2018. He is actively involved in the lives of Congolese refugees in Lancaster and enjoys learning how to balance his integration experience by learning more about the American culture while maintaining his own culture.

Rodrigue Makelele (he/him)

Virginia State Lead

Rodrigue Makelele is the Virginia State Lead for the Lab and the Refugee Community Organizer at Church World Services. He works with Church World Service’s policy and advocacy team to develop and implement strategies to increase support for refugee resettlements with policymakers in the state of Virginia. He holds a master’s degree in Conflict Transformation from Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, VA, and a B.S. in Information Technology from Institut Superieur d’Informatique et de Gestion in Goma, DRC.

 

Our Partners Make This Work Possible

The Lab is powered by a wide range of partners and we always welcome more. Are you interested in becoming a Refugee Advocacy Lab Partner? Click here to meet our partners and learn more.

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