ORIS’s multi-lingual staff deploy into the ethnic communities they both live in and serve. ORIS focuses on recruiting staff at all levels that represent the New American Communities in the cities we serve.
Today, ORIS’s staff represent 8 different nationalities and speak a combined 16 languages. ORIS’s 7 member Board of Directors is entirely composed of refugees, immigrants, and first-generation Americans. ORIS is an ethnic community-based organization, with 90% of the staff and board reflecting the ethnicities of the communities that we serve.
Mukhtar has led ORIS since its inception in 2005. In this role he harnesses the needs, skills, and dreams of the clients, board, staff, and partner agencies that make up ORIS, to guide the organization along a path true to the community it serves. A native of Somalia, Mr. Idhow attended secondary school in Kenya and worked as the Farm Training Coordinator for the non-profit organization GT2, where he trained refugee camp residents on basic crop production. In the U.S., Mr. Idhow worked as an interpreter for the Manchester Community Health Center and for Southern New Hampshire Services before founding the Somali Bantu Community Association.
Emily Filiano joined ORIS in 2022 as Program Design Manager. Emily is responsible for guiding ORIS’s programs through the design life-cycle. She collaborates with staff to plan new programs, establish systems for effective operation, and ensure that programs align with ORIS’s mission, and uphold the integrity of its service model. Emily has a strong background of work with immigrant and refugee communities, and is a qualified medical interpreter. Emily earned a Masters Degree in Social Work at Boston College, where she specialized in Macro Practice, received a certificate in Policy and Community Organizing, and was a member of the Latinx Leadership Initiative. Emily is passionate about racial and cultural equity, and dedicated to promoting human dignity through sustainable systems change.
Ryan Fitzgibbons brings extensive experience and commitment to his role as the Central Massachusetts Regional Director for the Organization for Refugee and Immigrant Success. His career transitioned from being a professional soccer player with a passion for philanthropy to various leadership roles in the nonprofit sector. Ryan recently served as the CEO/Executive Director of HFHS, a homeless services organization that offers shelter, housing, and programs for homeless individuals and families. His other leadership positions include President/COO of the Hanover Area YMCA, Executive Director at the Greater Wichita YMCA, and Chief Operating Officer at HumanKind Wichita. His background, merging executive nonprofit leadership with grassroots volunteerism in diverse international settings, equips him with the insight and empathy needed to advance our mission. Ryan’s passion for supporting and empowering communities, evidenced by his work with charities in Ireland, Mexico, and Haiti, aligns with the core values of our organization. As a former professional athlete who transitioned into a champion for social causes, Ryan embodies resilience and teamwork, driving our vision for a thriving, inclusive future for refugees and immigrants in Central Massachusetts.
Ryan holds dual citizenship in the US and Ireland and has two sons, John and Colin, with his wife Ania, a native of Poland who immigrated to the United States in 2006.
Alaq was born and raised in Baghdad where she studied English Language and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in 2008. Following that, Alaq worked for various international non-profit organizations and diplomatic missions for about 12 years. Her focus was supporting Internally Displaced Persons, returnees, and other vulnerable communities through economic opportunities and different social, educational reintegration projects. Alaq joined ORIS as Bilingual Case Manager in 2022.
Rita Al Suhairi became a part of ORIS in January 2024, taking on the role of Extended Services Program Manager in the Worcester area. A 2022 graduate of Assumption University, she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, complemented by a double minor in Sociology and Criminology. Rita’s career trajectory has seen her excel in various roles, starting as a behavioral technician , advancing to a mental health technician, then progressing to case manager, and finally to program coordinator. Her extensive background in the mental health field has equipped her with valuable knowledge and experience. Outside of her professional life, Rita enjoys painting, reading, hiking, and cooking. Her commitment to ORIS stems from a deep-seated desire to effect positive change and support her colleagues in providing the best care to our ever-growing community.
Touria graduated from Moulay Ismail University in Morocco. In 2001, and after working for the American Peace Corps Organization, Touria moved to the United States where she started a new career as an advocate for survivors of domestic violence and their children at the International Women’s House in Georgia. In 2008, she moved with her family to New Hampshire where she started working at the YWCA, as a culturally specific advocate until 2018. At ORIS, Touria continues to serve refugee and immigrant communities as Case Manager, Advocate, and in her new position as Healthy Families Program Manager.
Peter Bosire joined ORIS in October 2023 as a paralegal for the Resettlement and Legal Services Program (RLS). A practicing lawyer with a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Law (LLB), he earned his degree from Maharshi Dayanand University in India. He also holds a Post-Graduate Diploma in Law from the Kenya School of Law in Nairobi, and additional legal education from the Massachusetts School of Law in Andover. Prior to joining ORIS, Peter practiced law in Kenya and moved to the United States in 2011. He is currently associated with Horace Mann Educational Services, a human service organization, as well as the law firm of Attorneys Edward McIntyre and Edward Sheridan. Peter is delighted to be part of the ORIS team.
Catie Cohen is the Farm Share and Wholesale Manager at Fresh Start Farms Food Hub. She works to ensure that the day-to-day operation of the Food Hub, CSA program, and wholesale partnerships are efficiently distributing farm products. Catie transitioned from a career in engineering to food service 6 years ago and has always found roles that enabled her to learn more about cultural, local, and nutritious food. She recently moved from Denton, Texas where she ran a whole grain-focused bakery that specializes in sourdough bread. When not at the Food Hub, Catie enjoys baking bread for her family and friends, hiking, reading, and playing ping pong.
Zach plays an essential role at the Fresh Start Food Hub and is responsible for receiving and packaging produce, packing FarmShare and food access boxes, delivering products to customers, and managing inventory and Food Hub logistics. Zach brings a great deal of experience in grocery/retail, merchandising, and customer service to the team.
Yazan Haimur is from the Middle East, specifically Jordan. He joined ORIS in 2023 as the Finance and Human Resources Coordinator and is responsible for carrying out critical finance and human resources functions. He conducts research and develops creative solutions to maintain effective and efficient operations across all programs and staff. Yazan has a background in business management and holds a master’s degree in Business Management (MBA) from Southern New Hampshire University, with a specialization in finance. In the United States, Mr. Haimur previously worked as a procurement assistant at Southern New Hampshire University and as a community health worker (CHW) for the Manchester Health Department before joining ORIS.
Azizi’s great passion is to support those who have gone through traumatic/difficult experiences and face barriers carrying out daily activities. Hamayuon Azizi is a Bilingual Case Manager for ORIS in Worcester. At ORIS, he helps his clients, including adults and families, find solutions to their obstacles, and empowers them to live their lives self-sufficiently. Azizi spent 7 years working with the Afghan government and accomplished many projects successfully. He has a bachelor’s degree in business administration. Azizi also helps Afghans socialize with their new community in the US.
Savitri joined ORIS in February 2023 as the Food Access Manager. She manages the Fresh Start Mobile Market, Healthy Corners program, and the Community Ambassador program. Savitri earned her Master of Social Work from the University of Connecticut with a focus in community organizing, and is passionate about immigrant rights, climate justice, racial justice, and health equity. From 2018-2021, she served as the Diversity Awareness Committee Chair for NASW NH and in 2020, she co-founded the BIPOC Social Workers of Northern New England affinity group. In her free time, Savitri enjoys creative writing and her first published short story can be read here.
Wyatt joined ORIS in 2023 as Training and Technical Assistance Manager for the New American Sustainable Agriculture Program (NASAP). Wyatt is responsible for providing educational opportunities for farmers on mixed vegetable and fruit production, sales, business and financial management, and food safety techniques with a focus on climate smart practices. Wyatt graduated from Johnson & Wales with a Bachelors in Food and Beverage Entrepreneurship and is passionate about having a positive impact on his community and promoting NH food systems. He hopes to expand his knowledge of sustainable agriculture through experience with the immigrant and refugee farmers. In his free time, Wyatt enjoys cooking, being outside, and hanging out with his cat Mushu.
Lauren L’Amour joined the Organization for Refugee and Immigrant Success (ORIS) as the Resettlement Program Manager in November 2023.She holds a degree in Sociology and Public Health, demonstrating her strong academic background in social sciences and public health. Before joining ORIS, Lauren gained extensive experience in social adjustment services, where she excelled as a Program Manager. An avid enthusiast of an active lifestyle, she enjoys yoga, pilates, and tennis, showcasing her dedication to well-being outside of her professional life. An accomplished linguist, Lauren is proficient in five Ghanaian dialects: Ga, Twi, Fante, Ewe, and Akan. This linguistic ability not only enriches her personal identity but also enhances her professional capacity to connect with and support a diverse community.
Miranda LeBlanc became part of the ORIS team in April 2024, taking on the role of Youth Development Manager. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Texas Christian University in 2021, with a specialization in International Relations and a minor in Sociology. Prior to her position at ORIS, Miranda dedicated her efforts to developing youth and educational programs for schools, international nonprofits, and mental health organizations. Outside of work, she delights in reading, gardening, and quality time with her family.
Fakherah joined ORIS in Feb 2023 as a bilingual case manager specializing in Afghan case management and empowerment program in Worcester. She is from Afghanistan. Fakherah earned her master’s degree in law from Necmettin Erbakan University in Konya, Turkey. Fakherah worked as a defense lawyer in the German International Organization. Fakherah is the founder of an organization in Afghanistan named Afghan sisters’ Legal Organization which focuses on providing legal resources for the Afghan community.
Jean N. Mugabo has been fulfilling the role of Program and Outreach Coordinator with the New American Sustainable Agriculture Program (NASAP) within ORIS since July 2023. His journey in assisting refugees began in 2021 when he diligently guided clients through various resettlement processes. Jean is an adept and versatile professional communicator, bringing a decade of experience in online, radio, and print media to his role.
Originally a civil engineer in Afghanistan, Zarif later transitioned into a role as an assembler before joining the team at ORIS in Worcester. Beyond his professional life, Zarif is passionate about a range of hobbies. He enjoys immersing himself in books, staying active through workouts, hiking, and swimming. Camping allows him to connect with nature and unwind from the demands of everyday life. He is proficient in three languages: English, Dari (Farsi), and Pashto. Zarif looks forward to this new chapter of his career.
Manhthuong Pham is a bilingual Matching Grant Case Manager with 15 years of experience in the healthcare industry. She graduated in 2022 with a Master’s in Healthcare Administration degree from Southern New Hampshire University. Manhthuong’s positive attitude and tireless energy inspire others to work hard and succeed. Her philosophy is, “You can do anything in life if you set your mind to it. With dedication, passion, hard work, and determination, dreams will come true. You are the master of your own destiny, and the only one who can stop you is yourself.” In her free time, Manhthuong enjoys camping, hiking, reading, cooking, and spending time with friends and family. She looks forward to this new journey with the team.
Beth joined ORIS in 2023; she previously worked as a learning and development coach for new employees at a Fortune 500 company. She earned a bachelor’s degree in communications at Colorado State University, where she volunteered over 300 hours and was a recipient of an Americorps Award in education. Her hobbies include reading, pet sitting, and traveling. In addition to exploring New England, and her former home state of Florida, with its tropical climate and unique wildlife, she has traveled to 7 countries across North America, Europe, and Asia. She is excited to transition to the nonprofit sector and to help new Americans flourish and become self-sufficient.
Peg Prolman joined ORIS in the fall of 2021. After working in education for over 25 years, she was hired as the Farm to School Coordinator to bring together all of the Manchester and Nashua partners to deliver tailored curriculum and Farm Fresh Friday pizzas to select elementary and middle schools in each district. She has a Bachelors in Political Science and a Masters in Early Childhood Education. Peg also works as a Fresh Start Farms store clerk and food packer.
Emma joined ORIS in 2022 as the Market Development Manager, Emma collaborates with farmers to expand farmers’ direct-to-consumer sales opportunities. She can be found on-farm working on different infrastructure projects and supporting farmers with hands-on crop maintenance. Emma is passionate about creating regenerative food systems through strengthening local networks of farmer collaboration. When not on the farm, Emma enjoys exploring the white mountains, rock climbing, and wheel throwing at the pottery studio!
Minata Toure joined ORIS in 2015 as Marketing Coordinator to support Fresh Start Farms NH, an immigrant and refugee farmer collective. A native of Banfora (Burkina Faso), Minata attended high school and college in Ouagadougou. She is responsible for market coordination and community engagement for Fresh Start Farms NH. She provides on-site technical support to farmer entrepreneurs and fulfillment of high-quality and timely orders of produce, including CSA post-harvest handling.
Sarah is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Food Hub and is your contact for all things FarmShare. Sarah brings experience in food justice work and sustainable farming to the team, as well as a passion for building food systems where everyone has access to fresh, healthy, affordable food.
Our board of thought leaders, movers, and shakers who form the backbone of the ORIS mission.
MR. MUKHTAR IDHOW
ORIS Executive Director
MR. CRISPIN MILELE
Board Chair
Medical Interpreter at Manchester Community Health Clinic
MS. VICTORIA ADEWUMI
Vice Chair
Community Liaison/Public Health Specialist at City of Manchester Health Department
MR. ALI SEKOU
Treasurer
Hannaford Supermarkets
MR. GARETH ORSMOND
Board Member
Partner, Pierce Atwood
MS. LINA SHAYO
Board Member
Immigration Lawyer at Mesa Law
MR. FAMOH TOURE
Board Member
Program Manager at Pinpoint Translations/ International Institute of New England
MS. LEA TUYISABE
Board Member
Accounting Technician, City of Manchester
MS. MIRANDA REMILLARD
Board Member
Director of Recruitment, Northwestern Mutual
