Meet the Team

The Faces of Our Organization

Since our founding in 2004, Refugee and Immigrant Self-Empowerment has developed and grown in a positive direction. We’re very proud of the diversity of our staff, and their abilities to contribute their own lived experience and skills to our success. Find out more about some of our team members below.

haji@refugeeandimmigrant.org

Haji Adan

Executive Director

ebfasama@refugeeandimmigrant.org

Euphemia Fasama

Associate Executive Director

bcolebrook@refugeeandimmigrant.org

Brandy Colebrook

Director of Programs

fhradil@refugeeandimmigrant.org

Frances B. Hradil

Director of Development

richard@refugeeandimmigrant.org

Richard Whitson

Director of Education

leah@refugeeandimmigrant.org

Leah Ifraimova

Director of Resettlement

lucy@refugeeandimmigrant.org

Lucy Spence

Director of Agriculture Programs (SYRap)

mmuse@refugeeandimmigrant.org

Mohamed Muse

Case Management Supervisor, Buffalo Office

oliviersekarore@refugeeandimmigrant.org

Olivier Sekarore

Individual Development Account Program Coordinator

sergeilambo@refugeeandimmigrant.org

Serge Ilambo

Employment & Case Management Director

suboor.hakimi@refugeeandimmigrant.org

Suboor Hakimi

Director of Finance and Administration

zeeshan@refugeeandimmigrant.org

Zeeshan James

Director of Care Management

Board Members

Thomas Nimineh

Board Chair

Nan Fechtner

Board Treasurer

Kelechi Ibe-Lamberts

Board Secretary

Derek Galloway

Board Member

El Hadji Fall

Board Member

Faith Nimineh

Board Member

Katarina Kostic

Board Member

Nancy Smith

Board Member

Philip Thayaparan

Board Member

Shabnam E Yazdanyar

Board Member