HIAS Leadership

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As Community Engagement Specialist, Elana oversees HIAS’ Refugee Resettlement Co-Sponsorship initiative, and works in partnership with congregations, organizations and volunteers to support and welcome refugees. As an immigrant originally from South Africa, Elana is passionate about helping newer immigrants make better lives for themselves and enhancing the movement of Jewish welcoming. Elana previously worked as HIAS Outreach & Education Specialist, facilitating citizenship preparation programs and educational presentations for the immigrant community. Elana holds a J.D. from Georgetown Law and went back to school a few years ago to earn her Master’s in Jewish Professional Studies from Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning & Leadership. 

Nonna has been working with HIAS Immigration & Citizenship for more than 17 years. Originally from Latvia, Nonna holds a Bachelor Degree in Children Education and Music from Daugavpils Pedagogical University and spent 11 years working at a music school. She arrived to Chicago in 1996, assisted by HIAS Immigration & Citizenship . Her first job in the United States was as Office Manager at EZRA Medical Transportation Comp, a welfare medical transportation program. Nonna is proud to be a part of a program that still assists people to resettle and start a new life in the United States.

In her role as Refugee Housing Specialist, Gwenn finds safe and affordable housing for refugee families as they begin their lives in the United States. To do so, she interfaces with community leaders, Alderpeople’s realtors, owners, and builders groups in the community. Prior to joining JCFS and the HIAS program, Gwenn worked extensively in housing and community development, including with the city of Fort Wayne’s Housing Authority.  She holds certification in Housing and Urban Development, a federal program administered by HUD.

Jamshid has more than ten years of experience working for production, social services, and government agencies. Prior to joining HIAS Immigration & Citizenship as Case Manager, he worked for Skyline Design, the Afghan Ministry of Interior Affairs, the Independent Election Commission, The Louis Berger Group, Afghan Technical Consultant, and Sabz-Sang Elementary School. Jamshid is pursuing a master’s degree in political science at Northeastern Illinois University and received a BA in journalism from Dawat University. He is fluent in Pashto, Dari-Farsi, Persian, Urdu-Hindi, and English. Jamshid immigrated to the United States from Afghanistan five years age, and his experience as an immigrant inspired him to work for the immigrant community. 

Jenn began working with JCFS Chicago as a financial assistance case manager and now manages HIAS’ Integrated Service Delivery Program, which provides digital and financial literacy education to the refugee community. Jenn has also returned to school to earn her Masters in Social Work from Aurora University and is interning as a therapist at the Jesse Brown Veterans Affairs hospital in addition to her work at HIAS. Jenn is passionate about helping immigrants acclimate to a new life in the United States and is honored to be part of a program that helps so many to achieve their goals. 

As the Program Manager for Immigration Legal Services, Rachael provides support for HIAS’ Immigration Case Workers, along with coordinating and providing direct services for Ukrainian Humanitarian Parolees, Afghan Parolees, recent refugees, among others. Prior to joining JCFS HIAS, Rachael was a paralegal for Immigration Law, and worked with clients who were seeking asylum or deportation/removal defense. Immigration is a personal subject that is very near to Rachael’s heart, who has put to use her prior experience and love of languages for the advocacy and support of this community. Rachael attended Washington College in Chestertown, MD, where she graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor’s in International Studies and Spanish, with concentrations in European Studies and French. In addition to legal services, Rachael also provides service as a translator and interpreter for the Spanish and French language. 

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Margarita Sandler is a Department of Justice Accredited Representative, working with HIAS Immigration & Citizenship since 1996. She specializes in immigration legal services and in helping Holocaust Survivors apply for reparations. During the height of HIAS Immigration & Citizenship’s refugee resettlement program, Margarita played a significant role in supporting refugees prior to arrival in the US. Born in Moscow, Margarita came to the United States in 1995. She holds a degree in Education.

Jessica has over a decade of experience working with immigrants and refugees. Before joining HIAS Immigration & Citizenship as Director in 2015, Jessica worked with the Ethiopian Community Association of Chicago and Heartland Alliance’s International Children’s Center. She also spent time abroad supporting refugee and migrant youth on the Thai-Burmese border. Originally from Montreal, Jessica holds a Bachelor of Arts from McGill University and a Masters of Social Work from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She comes to this work inspired by the history of family members who were refugees resettled to Canada after the Holocaust.

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As the Uniting for Ukraine Program Manager, Evelina oversees services for Ukrainian parolees and other recent arrivals feeling the war with Russia at JCFS Chicago. She has over six years of experience working in nonprofit and public service organizations, including The Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab and Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies. Most recently, Evelina spent three months as a volunteer in Przemyśl, Poland, providing emergency support to refugees at the Ukrainian border.

Alla Spector has more than twenty-five years of experience serving the Russian-speaking community in Chicago, including at JCFS Chicago and HIAS, and CJE SeniorLife. Alla earned a Master of Music degree in the Former Soviet Union, where she was employed as a Musicologist, Educator and Administrator. This experience enabled her to develop an understanding of the needs of immigrants from the Former Soviet Union who resettled in the United States and to deliver services that are sensitive to their cultural needs. Alla immigrated to the United States from the Former Soviet Union in 1989 with the help of HIAS and JCFS. She is proud to be part of the team continuing to serve the Russian-speaking community.

Lauren serves HIAS Immigration and Citizenship as a member of the Avodah Jewish Service Corps program. In her position as Case Aide, she assists case managers with various aspects of the resettlement process. Additionally, she coordinates and teaches classes for the Integrated Service Delivery program. Lauren is originally from the New York area, and she holds a Bachelor’s degree in History from Oberlin College. She comes to this work informed by her experience working in Jewish and interfaith environments.

Daniella Verde is a Department of Justice Accredited Representative, working with HIAS Immigration & Citizenship since 2010. Daniella is bilingual in Spanish and English and specializes in working with clients from Mexico and Central and South America. She has spent time volunteering in her church, including as a member of its Board of Directors, and served as a parent liaison for School District 62 in Des Plaines.