Meet our team

Fatima Saidi’s extensive experience in fundraising, grantmaking, and development, coupled with her role as National Campaign Director for We Are All America (WAAA), highlights her strong organizational leadership and advocacy background. At WAAA, she leads collaborative efforts with similar organizations, enhances organizers’ skills, manages communications and operations, and raises funds to support the campaign’s mission. Fatima’s primary aim is to uphold and augment the United States’ commitment to providing a secure haven for individuals seeking refuge, safety, and freedom, fostering inclusive communities by bringing together people from diverse cultural and religious backgrounds.

Born in a small village in Ghazni, Afghanistan, Fatima’s early life was marked by displacement due to the Taliban’s presence, leading her family to seek refuge in Quetta, Pakistan. Her journey continued in September 2013 when she arrived as an international student at Bates College in Lewiston, Maine. Throughout her academic years, she gained valuable experience through internships with various reputable organizations, including the International Institute of St. Louis in Missouri, the United Nations, the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission in Kabul, Afghanistan, and the World Hazara Council in Vienna, Austria.

In 2017, Fatima graduated from Bates College with a double major in Political Science and Religious Studies. She then excelled as a Development Coordinator and Grant Writer at the Mayor’s Office of Financial Empowerment in Boston for two years. In December 2020, she advanced to the role of Development and Relations Manager at the Maine Immigrants’ Rights Coalition (MIRC), where she made significant contributions. Notably, she worked very closely with Ethnic Community-Based Organizations (ECBOs) and secured funding for grassroots community operations during COVID-19 while Maine was experiencing a substantial influx of newly arrived asylum seekers. Her dedication and passion for advocacy led her to join We Are All America in the summer of 2023.

Nejra Sumic’s journey from a refugee fleeing Bosnia and Herzegovina to becoming a prominent advocate in the United States is a testament to her resilience and dedication. After enduring a long and perilous journey, Nejra and her family were granted asylum in the United States, where they overcame significant adversity, adapted to a new culture, and built new lives.

This challenging experience instilled in Nejra a profound sense of purpose and fueled her passion for advocacy. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Arizona State University and a Master’s in Public Administration from Western International University. Nejra is fluent in English, Spanish, Bosnian, and several other dialects, enabling her to connect with a diverse range of communities.

As a seasoned refugee advocate, Nejra has worked with various human rights organizations over the years. In her current role as the National Field Manager for the We Are All America Campaign, she plays a crucial role in organizing and empowering refugee leaders across the country. Nerja is deeply passionate about advocating for refugees and recognizing their vital contributions to our nation’s history of inclusion, cultural diversity, and community enrichment.

Nejra Sumic’s commitment to refugee advocacy is a driving force in fostering a more inclusive and compassionate society. Her work not only highlights the importance of supporting refugees but also underscores the invaluable contributions they make to our communities and nation.

Isabel López joined the We Are All America campaign as the Digital Organizer, bringing with her a wealth of experience and a deep passion for advocacy. A Venezuelan immigrant, Isabel has over five years of experience in organizing and communications, and she is dedicated to cultivating relationships and building power among displaced communities to promote equity and inclusivity. She is excited to continue this important work with We Are All America.

Since relocating to the United States in 2017, Isabel has been actively involved in human rights and immigration activism. She played a pivotal role in building a movement of human rights defenders as the president of her university’s Amnesty International chapter. Additionally, she worked closely with immigrant and asylum-seeking communities through Planned Parenthood’s Latinx-serving programs Raíz and Promotoras. Most recently, Isabel served as the Policy and Communications intern for the International Refugee Assistance Project, where she further honed her skills and deepened her commitment to advocacy.

Isabel graduated from Rhodes College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and International Studies. Beyond her professional achievements, she enjoys spending time in nature, exploring creative makeup, and dancing to live music. Isabel’s multifaceted interests and experiences enrich her work and bring a unique perspective to her role as a Digital Organizer.

Isabel López’s dedication to human rights and her dynamic approach to organizing make her an invaluable asset to the We Are All America campaign. Her work is instrumental in advancing the campaign’s mission of fostering a more inclusive and equitable society for all.

Ally was born in Democratic Republic of Congo. He arrived in the United States in 2013 due to conflicts and civil wars in his home country.

Ally is the delegate for the Refugee Congress. The Refugee Congress is a national nonpartisan advocacy organization built and led by former refugees. Ally is also passionate about helping and working with immigrants and refugees in Indianapolis and the United States .He worked as an Employment Specialist and Case Manager for the last six years at Exodus Refugee Immigration Services, a nonprofit organization-based in Indianapolis.

Ally has more than ten years’ experience working with nonprofits and youth organizations, especially in the areas of human rights, peace initiatives, and conflict resolution. While in Africa, he was co-founder of many youth organizations and networks in the eastern part of Congo. He served as the Executive Director of Ligue des Jeunes Grands Lacs (Great Lakes Youth League), a position that allowed him to work closely with youth in Burundi, DRC, Rwanda, and Uganda.In the DRC Ally also worked as a journalist with local newspapers and was active in radio and television broadcasting.

He has a bachelor’s degree in Economics and Management. He is currently pursuing an MBA in Non-Profit Organization and Entrepreneurship at City Vision University. He is also an active member of Congo Community and Co-founder of Congo American Bridge, a non-profit organization based in Indiana.

Ruben Luna Torres joined the Maine Immigrants’ Rights Coalition in October of 2022 as the Communication and Policy Advocate Lead. With a quick-on-the-feet and eager mindset, he works with government officials and community partners around Maine in advancing MIRC’s policy priorities in Augusta and city halls throughout the state his advocacy work also includes promoting the organization through both traditional media and social media.

Previously Torres worked in the finance sector after graduating from The University of Maine Orono with a Masters in Global Policy and a Bachelors in International Affairs minoring in Legal Studies. During this time, he traveled through Europe while studying International Fiance at Carlos III University in Madrid.

Originally from California, Torres has grown up with a strong passion for local and international community outreach. In his free time, he loves cooking with local products, finding new things to explore, and watching football!

Anahita Panahi is the Deputy Director of Refugee Affairs at the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), where she manages campaigns advocating for the wellbeing of refugees and newcomers in California. Serving as a safeguard for human rights, Panahi has been inspired from her direct experience as an immigrant. Being the product of refugees from Iran, she is privy to the unique problems new Americans face, and important qualities they bring to their adopted countries.

After studying at San Diego State University, her advocacy work has led her to Turkey, Iran, and Spain. In 2019, she started her role as a Refugee Organizer with We Are All America, where she built grassroots support, convened various stakeholders,, and fostered welcoming practices for refugees’ rights and needs in California. An impassioned organizer and activist with lived experience, she is also the Vice Chair of the Refugee Forum of Los Angeles (RFLA). Panahi, who speaks English, Farsi, and Spanish, received her bachelor’s degree in International Security and Conflict Resolution at San Diego State University and an M.A. in Political Science at the Autonomous University of Barcelona.

Jacky is a versatile professional with more than 15 years of experience. From Corporate to Not for profit organizations, Jacky has over 10 years of experience in managerial, and leadership positions.

She is a result driven professional where her past is marked with proven and remarkable achievements of building institutions and systems. She is a Certified Professional Banker (CPB) with a Bachelors’ Degree in Law. Jacky is an adept of women and girls financial empowerment drowned from her personal life experience. She is also a proud mother of 4, 2 girls and 2 boys.

Kawser Amine was born and raised in Kabul, Afghanistan. She earned a bachelor’s degree in general management and specialization in international relations at the Indian School of Business Management in New Delhi, India. She has worked with different parts of society as a Young Women Leader and Peace Activist in leadership positions to improve the participation of women in the leadership, governance, politics, and peace process, sport, of Afghanistan. Her uses her position and experience as a former Athlete in Afghanistan national soccer team, for 9 years, women’s rights activist, and education gives her passion to bring light to specific issues concerning women’s rights.

Kawser funded the women leadership club/Women’s soccer club in American University of Afghanistan (AUAF). She has worked as a leadership program assistant office of the national security council in Afghanistan, as well as a political analyst for the secretary council of Afghanistan in the presidential office ARG gender program, and adviser in the ministry of women affairs.

Kosar was born and raised in Nashville, TN, to Somali refugees. He graduated from New York University with a Bachelor of Arts in Politics and Middle Eastern & Islamic Studies.

Kosar serves as the Multicultural Organizer at the Tennessee Immigrant & Refugee Rights Coalition (TIRRC), leading community education and outreach efforts on statewide campaigns and services to ensure that immigrant and refugee communities have accurate and timely information about TIRRC’s campaigns and services. He leads TIRRC’s Black Immigrant Caucus, a group dedicated to creating space for Black immigrant community members and leaders across the state to connect and ensure Black immigrants can shape TIRRC’s campaign priorities and goals.

Lastly, in conjunction with his work at TIRRC, Kosar is an organizer with We Are All America (WAAA) and a co-chair of WAAA’s Refugee Leadership Table.

Pierre was born and raised in Rwanda and went to college in Kenya, where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and a Master’s in Finance. Upon completing his studies, Pierre played a significant role in rebuilding his Rwanda country after being torn apart by genocide, which happened in 1994. During his service in Rwanda, he started as a Program Expert in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning; he later moved to Rwanda Investment and Export Promotion Agency as Deputy Managing Director in charge of Export Promotion.

After successful service, he was promoted to Kigali City Manager. As he kept on growing in his professional life, Pierre realized that his passion for seeing the most vulnerable lifted out of misery was not being recognized as he wanted to, so he decided to move to a service in a non-profit organization. He joined World Relief Rwanda, where he served to empower the local church to do the most vulnerable in the capacity of Program Director.

Ray Sookchain is the Marketing and Social Media Coordinator at Isuroon. Isuroon is a women-led, community-driven organization motivated by the belief that Somali women and girls deserve to be healthy and have a strong voice. 

Ray holds a Bachelor of Science in International Business and Marketing with a minor in German. He has 7.5+ years of work experience and is passionate about marketing.

Sara Louis-Ayo is the Policy/Advocacy Organizer and Legal Assistant with the Louisiana Organization for Refugees and Immigrants. She is a South Sudanese American pursuing her Master’s in Public Health. She specializes in community health among refugee and immigrant populations in Louisiana.