Chairperson

Jennifer has been a refugee advocate for more than four years, working with IRIS, West End Welcome, and Jewish Family Services to support the resettlement of refugee families. She has served on the board of the Refugee Women’s Center for the past two years. Jennifer leads the ESL tutoring program and assists clients with visa preparation, in addition to helping refugees navigate a wide range of day-to-day needs. 

Vice-Chairperson

Michelle Walker, LMSW, is the cofounder of the Refugee Women’s Center and serves on its Board of Directors as Vice-Chair. She has devoted her professional career to advancing the rights of immigrants and refugees and is deeply committed to women’s empowerment and to creating inclusive, welcoming spaces that promote dignity, self-sufficiency, and long-term stability. Michelle holds a Master’s degree in Social Work from Columbia University, with a concentration in International Social Work with Immigrants and Refugees.

Secretary

Nagy has been supporting refugee's and immigrant's resettlement efforts for the past 10 years.  Prior to joining the Refugee Women's Center board, he was an Employment Specialist with Integrated Refugee and Immigrant Servicer (IRIS).  He was also an active member of a co-sponsorship group and assisted families with housing, education, employment, career development, and healthcare

Treasurer

At a young age, Abby embodied volunteerism. As a teen, Abby volunteered with the children’s ministry at her church then went on to tutor high schoolers in mathematics and mentor hundreds of students as they transitioned to college. Abby has served as an active alumni of various groups such as the National Academy of Finance since 2011. With her bright smile she derives pleasure in making the world a better place and wouldn’t miss an opportunity to transfer her smiles unto others. Abby has exposure and experience in the world of Finance/Insurance and Higher Education and currently devotes her time serving as treasurer on the board while pursuing her illustrious career.

Stan has 40 years experience in the non-profit sector as a housing developer, manager and advocate of affordable and supportive housing. He holds a Masters in Community Economic Development.

Emily’s work with refugee and immigrant communities began in the early 1990s, when she assisted newly arrived Russian refugees in Hartford with resume writing, interview preparation, and employer connections. In more recent years, she has deepened this commitment as a refugee advocate helping to resettle refugees from Afghanistan, Myanmar and other places, supporting them as they navigate education, employment, and community resources. 

Deborah became involved with refugees in the fall of 2021 right after retiring from CCSU. As a volunteer, she helped with resettlement effort for eight families, doing everything from collecting furniture to driving clients to doctor appointments. She was instrumental in establishing the sewing program at RWC.

Mayte Restrepo, Ph.D., is an assistant professor in the Department of Public Health Sciences at UConn. Originally from Colombia, she relocated to the United States in 2001. Throughout her career, she has dedicated herself to enhancing the well-being of women and children affected by violence and advocating for social and health equity. Her research and community engagement efforts reflect a deep commitment to creating systemic change and promoting healthier, safer communities for underserved populations. She has also worked closely with immigrant communities in Connecticut to address their unique health and social challenges. 

Gracie is a nonprofit communications professional and resident of Greater Hartford who is deeply committed to serving her community. She believes in showing up for her neighbors and is a member of First Presbyterian Church and Junior League of Hartford. She is honored to support refugee women and families through her role on the board. 

Corinna is a Senior Program/Project Manager with over 15 years of experience in engineering and program management. Her own journey as an immigrant woman, relocating from India to US over 21 years ago, gave her an intimate understanding of the barriers, uncertainties, and quiet strengths that shape a newcomer's path, and ignited a lifelong drive to make that path easier for the women who follow. Throughout her career, she has built deep expertise in complex technical programs, earning a Master's degree in Engineering Management. Driven by a profound commitment to the rights and dignity of immigrant women, she became involved with the Refugee Women's Center and quickly channeled that passion into meaningful action. As Chairperson of the Immigration Readiness Committee, she developed an accessible, inclusive toolkit designed to guide families through the immigration preparedness process, making critical resources available to those who need them most. Her professional acumen and lived experience as an immigrant inform her dedication to building stronger, more supported communities for refugee and immigrant women in Connecticut.