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

suboor.hakimi@refugeeandimmigrant.org
Suboor Hakimi
Director of Finance and Administration

frances@refugeeandimmigrant.org
Frances Bisceglia
Director of Development

zeeshan@refugeeandimmigrant.org
Zeeshan James
Director of Care Management

richard@refugeeandimmigrant.org
Richard Whitson
Director of Education

anna@refugeeandimmigrant.org
Anna Zoodsma
Director of Agriculture

leah@refugeeandimmigrant.org
Leah Ifraimova
Director of Resettlement

mmuse@refugeeandimmigrant.org
Mohamed Muse
Director, Buffalo Office

sergeilambo@refugeeandimmigrant.org
Serge Ilambo
Employment & Case Management Director
Board Members

Thomas Nimineh
Board Chair
El Hadji Fall
Board Treasurer
Katarina Kostic
Board Secretary
Nan Fechtner
Board Member
Derek Galloway
Board Member
Mazaher Kaila, ESQ
Board Member
Faith Nimineh
Board Member
Nancy Smith
Board Member
Philip Thayaparan
Board Member
Photos By: Solon Quinn Studios