Abdul Basir Noorani, PIR Caseworker & Youth Mentoring Program Lead

Noorani has been working with the International Rescue Committee (IRC) in Turlock since 2022, supporting refugee families through cultural orientation, education, youth mentoring, and resettlement services. Noorani began as a Cultural Orientation and Education Caseworker and later served as one of the two Cultural Orientation Leaders supporting IRC RAI offices nationwide for one year. In 2025, Noorani led the Afghan Youth Mentoring (AYM) Program. Currently, Noorani serves as a PIR Caseworker and leads the Youth Mentoring (YM) Program at the IRC Turlock office, supporting refugee families and youth toward successful integration and self-sufficiency 

Amina Sheik Mohamed, Unit Director, RIH-CCH

Amina Sheik Mohamed, MPH, is the Founding Director of the Refugee and Immigrant Health (RIH) Unit at the UC San Diego Center for Community Health (CCH), where she leads programs and systems change efforts to improve health and well-being for refugee and immigrant communities. She is co-founder of the San Diego Refugee Communities Coalition (SDRCC) and directs the Refugee Statewide Impact (RSI) Program. The RSI Program is a statewide initiative that brings together school districts, regional leads, and service providers to advance youth engagement, family support, and connection to basic needs for refugee communities across California. Her work focuses on building partnerships, strengthening community capacity, and advancing culturally responsive health programs. Amina has been recognized for her leadership with awards, including the James Irvine Foundation Leadership Award (2024) and the Prebys Foundation Leaders in Belonging Award (2024).

Arzo Akbari, Victim Advocate, Lao Family Community Development

Arzo Akbari is a Victim Advocate at Lao Family Community Development and is originally from Afghanistan. She has experience working with Afghan refugee and newcomer families through Resettlement & Placement (R&P) services, supporting individuals and families as they navigate community resources, healthcare access, social services, and cultural adjustment in the United States. Through her advocacy and community engagement work, Arzo is passionate about empowering underserved communities, supporting family well-being, and amplifying the voices of immigrant and refugee populations. Her lived experience and professional background provide valuable insight into the social and cultural factors that impact family engagement and community health.

Blanca Meléndrez, Executive Director, CCH

Blanca Meléndrez, MA, serves as Executive Director of the UC San Diego Center for Community Health

 (CCH), bringing two decades of leadership and personal experience as a Mexican immigrant to champion health equity for communities of color. She has secured over $80 million to fund innovative initiatives, from the SNAP-Education/5-a-Day pilot and the flagship Southern California ¡Más Fresco! Nutrition Incentive Program, to workplace, faith-based, and school wellness projects. Under her direction, CCH also launched and coordinates multiple community-based coalitions, including the statewide Refugee School Impact (RSI) Program, the San Diego Refugee Communities Coalition (SDRCC), Advancing Health Literacy, Healthy4You, the Youth Advisory Council, and the County Childhood Obesity Initiative, all grounded in a social-justice vision that treats health as a fundamental right.

Carolina Sheinfeld, Office of Equity, CDSS

Carolina Sheinfeld is the Chief of the first-ever Office of Immigrant Youth at the California Department of Social Services (CDSS). The Office of Immigrant Youth within CDSS' Office of Equity was established in 2022 to meet the integration needs of immigrant youth, including highly vulnerable populations like unaccompanied children. In her capacity, Carolina leads policy and program development across multiple systems of care, including immigration, education, child welfare, healthcare, and community care licensing. Carolina has a passion for humanitarian assistance and social justice, and for the past two decades has built strong connections and strategic partnerships across the immigrant and refugee rights ecosystem. Carolina grew up in Spain and Venezuela and later moved to Los Angeles, where she led the Immigrant Relations Office at the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) (2019-2022) and coordinated the Torture Survivors Project for the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles (2003-2018) while supporting the Refugee Forum of Los Angeles (2015-2018). In addition to improving the lives of immigrants and refugees, Carolina is also driven by a desire to influence public diplomacy and to cultivate intercultural relations.

 

Debbie de Sagun, MPH, CHES Program Manager, Center for Immigrant and Refugee Health (CIRH), Public Health Institute (PHI)

Dr. Cio Hernández – Psychotherapist and CEO

Dr. Rocío Elisa "Cio" Hernández is a licensed psychotherapist, CEO, and global resilience strategist whose work focuses on building individual and collective resilience and leadership from wherever people are. With over 25 years of experience, she has conducted thousands of immigration psychological evaluations, testified in immigration court, and trained clinicians nationwide on ethical, unbiased assessment practices. Her work integrates clinical expertise, neuroscience, and systems thinking to support accurate evaluation, sustainable leadership, and human-centered decision-making across contexts.

Faisa Mohamud, Director of Finance – Contracts & Grants Administration, Somali Bantu Association of America (SBAoA)

Faisa Mohamud serves as the Director of Finance – Contracts & Grants Administration at the Somali Bantu Association of America (SBAOA), where she oversees grant management, financial compliance, contracts administration, and community program operations. Her work focuses on supporting refugee and immigrant communities through sustainable programming, strategic partnerships, and culturally responsive services. Faisa is passionate about advancing opportunities for youth, families, and underserved populations across San Diego through education, health, and community empowerment initiatives.

Hashim Wahdatyar, Program Lead, RIH-CCH

Hashim Wahdatyar (he/him) is a Program Lead at RIH-CCH supporting the Refugee School Impact (RSI) and Youth Mentoring (YM) programs, bringing over 20 years of experience across international organizations. His previous roles include managing the United Nations' Regional Program for Afghanistan and Neighboring Countries, managing programs for the Middle East and South Asia at the Center for Civilians in Conflict, and serving as Program Director at the Institute of Current World Affairs in Washington, DC. He holds two master’s degrees: one in International Cooperation and another in Political Science from George Mason University, Virginia, USA. Hashim is currently a PhD candidate in Politics and International Relations at the University of Leicester, UK.

Homa Habibullah, Afghan Social Adjustment Case Manager, Bay Area Resource For Newcomers – BRFN

Homa Habibullah (she/her) joined BRFN in March 2023 as a Social Integration Case Manager. Homa also provides on-site support to Afghan students within Hayward Unified School District (HUSD), where she provides school enrollment assistance, tutoring, parent support, community events, and educator workshops. She views her role as a dream come true, where she can directly work with newcomers and support them to integrate into their communities. Homa was born in Afghanistan and came to the U.S. in 2021. She has worked with non-profit organizations for the past 13 years in various roles, including as a program analyst at the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), where she managed a project in 26 provinces of Afghanistan focusing on combating violence against women and girls. Homa has always believed that everyone should have equal opportunities, regardless of their social background. She finds her work to be very rewarding and is grateful for the opportunity to have a positive impact on the lives of newcomers. Homa holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Italy.

Iddo Gelle, Director of Programs at Horn of Africa Community

Kajal Shahali, Associate Director of Youth Programs at Refugee & Immigrant Transitions (RIT)

Kajal Shahali is the Associate Director of Youth Programs at Refugee & Immigrant Transitions (RIT), where she oversees youth programming across the East Bay and leads the regional implementation of the Refugee School Impact / Youth Mentoring (RSI/YM) initiative. She also serves as the lead facilitator of the CalNEW Statewide Youth Council, supporting newcomer youth leaders across California to elevate their voices and shape programs and policy. An immigrant from Iran and fluent in Farsi, Kajal has worked in refugee resettlement and newcomer education through roles with the International Rescue Committee (IRC) and as a consultant supporting refugee youth in the United Kingdom and the United States. She holds a B.A. from UC Berkeley and a Master’s degree in International Child Studies from King’s College London, with a focus on refugee children’s right to education.

Kathy Yang, Office of Equity, CDSS

Keith Drury, Co-Director, Soccer Without Borders Bay Area

Keith Drury is Co-Director of Soccer Without Borders. He is passionate about using sports as a tool for youth development and has nine years of experience mentoring refugee, immigrant, and newcomer youth and young adults. Keith holds a BA in History from Colorado College. Keith advances Soccer Without Borders’ mission of creating spaces where all youth—especially newcomer and underserved youth—feel a sense of belonging by leading programs that build youth leadership, confidence, community connection, and overall well-being through sport.

Krystsina Shchelkunova – Founder & Director, Slavic Refugee and Immigrant Services Organization

Krystsina Shchelkunova is the Founder and Director of the Slavic Refugee and Immigrant Service Organization (SRISO), a San Diego-based nonprofit supporting Ukrainian refugees and immigrant families. With a background in accounting, management, and economics, she brings over a decade of experience in finance, operations, and nonprofit leadership. Following the war in Ukraine, Krystsina co-founded SRISO to help displaced families rebuild their lives in San Diego. Under her leadership, the organization has supported hundreds of families through programs focused on health, education, and wellness. She is recognized for her compassionate leadership, strong community partnerships, and commitment to serving vulnerable communities. 

Marissa Jones, Director of Programs, Sacramento Youth Center (SYC)

Marissa Jone is the Director of Programs at the Sacramento Youth Center. She has a variety of experience working with at-risk youth from diverse backgrounds, including Child Welfare, Unhoused Services, and immigrant populations. She deeply believes in the power of mentorship and investing in young people. Through SYC’s mentoring and youth development programs, Marissa helps create safe and welcoming spaces where youth can build self-awareness, communication skills, confidence, and life skills while receiving trauma-informed peer support and workforce development opportunities through hands-on job training experiences.

Masoud Saqib, Preferred Communities Manager, Opening Doors

M. Masoud Saqib is the Preferred Communities (PC) Project Manager at Opening Doors Inc., leading culturally responsive programs that support refugee and immigrant communities through case management, mental health advocacy, community outreach, and capacity-building initiatives. With more than two decades of experience in program management, humanitarian services, training, and community development across Afghanistan, Sudan, and the United States, he has worked extensively with displaced and vulnerable populations. Masoud is a graduate of the Faculty of Law and Political Science at Balkh University in Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan, and is also a Certified Peer Support Specialist and certified Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Instructor dedicated to promoting mental wellness, trauma-informed care, social equity, and community empowerment.

Qoodseya Afredi, Associate Youth Programs Manager, CAIR-LA

Qoodseya Afredi is the Associate Youth Programs Manager at CAIR-LA, where she leads initiatives focused on youth development, civic engagement, and supporting underserved communities across Southern California. Since 2018, she has worked in youth and community development, creating programs that empower young people through leadership, advocacy, and community building. Qoodseya oversees large-scale youth initiatives, including the CAIR-CA Muslim Youth Leadership Program (MYLP), and collaborates closely with students, educators, and community partners to create meaningful and supportive spaces for growth. Passionate about fostering the next generation of leaders, her work centers on building community, creating impactful youth experiences, and ensuring programs are rooted in both care and accountability. Qoodseya also supports regional refugee-serving initiatives through coalition building, program coordination, and data-informed community engagement efforts.

Rafiullah Sadiq, Center for Immigrant and Refugee Health (CIRH) at Public Health Institute (PHI)

Dr. Rafiullah Sadiq is a medical doctor with expertise in refugee and immigrant health, public health programming, and community engagement. He holds a Master's degree in International Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid and is currently pursuing a Master of Public Health. His work focuses on culturally and linguistically responsive services, health education, advocacy, and capacity building for refugee and immigrant communities.

He has served in roles including SBC and Advocacy Project Coordinator, M&E Master Trainer, Refugee Resettlement Case Manager with Opening Doors, and Refugee School Impact Program Coordinator with the Center for Immigrant and Refugee Health (CIRH) at Public Health Institute (PHI). His experience includes health promotion, training coordination, community outreach, crisis intervention, and collaboration with frontline service providers. He is committed to advancing community-led approaches that strengthen health equity and improve access to services for refugee children, youth, and families.

Reba Meigs, Program Director, RIH-CCH

Reba Meigs brings nearly 20 years of public health experience across state, county, academic, and nonprofit settings, with deep expertise in strategic planning, program implementation, evaluation, and community collaboration. She has led large-scale, community-based initiatives and supported evidence-based policy and systems to change efforts throughout California. Her work spans organizations including the California Department of Public Health, the Public Health Institute, county health departments, and UC San Diego’s Center for Community Health. Reba has presented at major conferences, contributed to published research, and holds degrees in Psychology and Public Administration from San Diego State University. She lives in Santa Rosa with her family and enjoys outdoor and wellness activities.

Torpekai Mohmand is the Regional Executive Director of Lifting Humanity in Ontario.  She came to the United States as a Refugee from Afghanistan during the Soviet invasion.  Ms. Mohmand has a B.S. in Sociology and an MS in Marriage and Family Therapy from CSU Fullerton.  She has spent the last 25 years working in the Foster Care System, overseeing various foster care, adoption, group home, STRTP, and mental health programs.  Since 2021, she has worked closely with Afghan Refugees and Unaccompanied Children and Youth.  In 2022, she opened Lifting Humanity’s California office, with its first contract being the Reception and Placement Services (Refugee Resettlement) Affiliate for Islamic Relief USA.   Today, Lifting Humanity has contracts with the State and Federal Government for mental health, employment, refugee health, and refugee school impact.  

 

Wali Abdul Hanifzai, Executive Director, Qazizada Multicultural Therapy Clinic (QMTC)

Mr. Wali Abdul Hanifzai is the Executive Director of Qazizada Multicultural Therapy Clinic (QMTC), specializing in clinical counseling for trauma, PTSD, depression, anxiety, grief, and relationship challenges. With over a decade of experience, he has provided culturally and linguistically responsive mental health services to Afghan refugees and broader South Asian and Middle Eastern communities in California, particularly following the 2021 migration. He leads monthly community workshops focused on reducing mental health stigma and addressing topics such as parenting, stress, addiction, anger management, and family dynamics. He is fluent in English, Pashto, Dari, and Urdu/Hindi. Mr. Hanifzai holds a B.A. in Criminology from CSU Northridge and an MSW from USC and is currently a Ph.D. candidate at Pepperdine University in Global Leadership and Change. He also serves as Board President of Afghan American Muslim Outreach (AAMO) and a Board Member of the Placentia Library Friends Foundation. 

 

Yelitza Peña, Coordinator, Student & Parent Support Programs, Hayward Unified School District

Yelitza Peña serves as the Coordinator of Student and Parent Support Programs for the Hayward Unified School District (HUSD), where she leads the district’s family engagement and newcomer service initiatives. With over 14 years of experience in youth development and community engagement, Yelitza specializes in creating equitable opportunities for parent voice and leadership, creating spaces for authentic relationships & partnerships, and providing comprehensive support for newcomer families, including critical connections to basic needs and local services. A first-generation and former migrant student from California’s Central Valley, Yelitza’s career is rooted in her personal lived experience. This perspective fuels her commitment to building authentic partnerships between schools and families. She holds a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of San Francisco and has been a driving force in HUSD’s recent efforts to support Afghan refugee families. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, playing soccer, and spending time with her loved ones.