Our Team

Laura Berge Jones
Associate Director

laura@reestablishrichmond.org

Living overseas for 16 years gave Laura a deep appreciation for people of diverse cultural and faith backgrounds. Since joining ReEstablish Richmond in 2016, Laura has combined this insight with her experience in teaching and nonprofit administration to address barriers, design services, and develop resources that equip newcomers with knowledge and tools to pursue their goals on their own terms. In her previous roles as Refugee Outreach Coordinator and Director of Transportation Independence, Laura created and strengthened support structures for our clients. Currently, she does the same for our growing team by guiding operations, communications, and supporting both executive and program staff.

Tessa Packer
Finance + Development Coordinator

tessa@reestablishrichmond.org

After graduating with a degree in Psychology, Tessa moved to Thailand where she taught at an International School for over three years and loved encouraging her students from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds to come together and support one another. During this time, Tessa was also befriended by a family of Burmese refugees and saw first-hand how finding shared language created a sense of community. These experiences cultivated Tessa’s passion for community building and refugee rights. As ReEstablish Richmond’s Coordinator of Finance and Development, she is excited to combine her life experience with her experience in nonprofit administration. In her spare time, Tessa likes to volunteer with animals and make pottery.

Helen Rai, MSW
Director of Client Engagement

helen@reestablishrichmond.org 

Helen was born in Nepal and raised and naturalized in the U.S. She immigrated to Richmond in 2005. When folks from Bhutan who are ethnically Nepali began resettling in Richmond as refugees, she accompanied her mom on service visits and thus started building relationships with the community. During her undergraduate degree at Virginia Commonwealth University in Social Work, Helen interned with ReEstablish Richmond in order to work more closely with the Bhutanese and the larger refugee community. Helen manages our client intake process and oversees our Health + Wellness program.

Jyoti Rimal
Coordinator of Client Engagement

jyoti@reestablishrichmond.org 

Jyoti was born in Nepal and immigrated to the U.S. with her family when she was 9 years old. This experience led her to become passionate about helping other immigrants who have resettled in Richmond and are rebuilding their lives here. A first-generation college student, Jyoti is pursuing a Sociology degree with a minor in nonprofit management. In addition to her work and school commitments, she volunteers with Soar365 and actively supports the Bhutanese community as a volunteer coordinator. In her role with ReEstablish Richmond, Jyoti ensures that our clients are connected with the programs, volunteers, and resources that will help them meet their goals.

Sheeba Adli
Coordinator of Client Engagement

sheeba@reestablishrichmond.org

Sheeba is originally from Afghanistan, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Accounting. Since coming to Richmond in 2015, she has participated in the programming of ReEstablish Richmond and earned a customer service certificate from the Career Advancement program of the International Rescue Committee. Sheeba worked as an Internal Manager with JT Spencer for more than four years, and in December 2020, she finished the ESL program at Reynolds Community College where she is currently pursuing an associate’s degree in Accounting. Sheeba is married and blessed with two handsome boys. She loves traveling and exploring new places and new cultures. Her hobbies are riding bikes, nature photography, and making tableau from wheat straw.

Avi Calhoun
Employment + Education Navigation Coordinator of Client Engagement

avi@reestablishrichmond.org

Avi Calhoun is a conflict resolution expert who uses the wisdom of peace-building in the workspace. He received his M.A. in Public Policy and International Mediation from Tel Aviv University and has over 10 years of experience managing teams and consulting in the U.S. and abroad. Having practiced Zen meditation and studied wisdom from global traditions for over 15 years, Avi finds joy in working with people to help them manage stress, resolve interpersonal conflicts, and gain deeper clarity on their goals as they relate to creating fulfilling success. As Coordinator of Client Engagement, Avi works 1:1 with clients to equip them with the tools and knowledge needed to pursue their career goals. Avi joined ReEstablish Richmond in 2024.

Naseeb Ullah Safi
Transportation Independence Coordinator of Client Engagement

naseeb@reestablishrichmond.org

Naseeb was born and raised in the mountains of Afghanistan. After 7 years of providing linguistic services in partnership with the U.S. military, he relocated to Richmond with a Special Immigrant Visa at the end of 2014. Although his family faced difficulties during this time, Naseeb was inspired to help others after experiencing the welcome and support of compassionate community members, including ReEstablish Richmond staff. While earning an associate’s degree in IT at Reynolds Community College, he worked with the New Virginia Majority, helping returned citizens register to vote. Naseeb then worked as a counselor with Richmond Residential Services until he was deployed to Fort Pickett to process newly arrived evacuees from Afghanistan in 2021. He continued using his language skills (Dari, Pashto, and Arabic) as a caseworker and immigration legal assistant with the IRC in Richmond. Working closely with so many people in urgent need of long-term resources and remembering the impact that ReEstablish Richmond had on his family, Naseeb was motivated to join our team in 2023. By ensuring that newcomers are equipped with knowledge of safe driving skills, he aids their progress toward self-sufficiency while improving the safety of Virginia roads for everyone. In his free time, Naseeb loves playing soccer and being a soccer dad.

Jo Patzig
Coordinator of Newcomer Education

jo@reestablishrichmond.org

Jo is a local artist who is passionate about the importance of accessible art education. They began working with ReEstablish Richmond as an AmeriCorps member in 2022 after graduating with a BFA from VCU in 2019. Today, as a Coordinator of Newcomer Education, Jo works with the client engagement team to provide group programming like the Heela Sewing Course. In Jo’s free time, they love to ride bikes, make zines, and learn new things.

Qadeem Halimi
Coordinator of Newcomer Education

qadeem@reestablishrichmond.org

Qadeem was born and raised in Afghanistan, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in business and management and worked as an English language teacher. For 12 years, he partnered with NATO and U.S. military forces, providing linguistic services and serving as a cultural advisor. After evacuating to Italy in 2021, he served as a cultural advisor and Italian language interpreter for a nonprofit there. In 2022, Qadeem relocated to Richmond with a Special Immigrant Visa, continuing his work as a contract interpreter with various organizations. He then completed a year of AmeriCorps service with ReEstablish Richmond and participated in My Henrico Academy. In his current role, Qadeem coordinates English classes for our Newcomer Education program. Qadeem speaks Dari, Pashto, Italian, Urdu, and Hindi, and enjoys playing soccer and volleyball in his free time.

Will Cumbia
Outreach + Volunteer Engagement Coordinator

will@reestablishrichmond.org

Will is a Virginia native with international experience. He graduated from the College of William & Mary in 2016 with a BA in marketing before moving to Vienna, Austria in 2017. What started as a gap year supporting a Baptist church’s efforts of welcome to refugees turned into nearly seven years of working with the Baptist General Association of Virginia and the European Baptist Federation around refugee and migration projects. While living abroad he also completed his Master of Divinity with a certificate in Interreligious Dialogue online with McAfee School of Theology. Will is thrilled to be back home in Virginia and to rediscover his home context through the experiences of new neighbors. As Outreach + Volunteer Engagement Coordinator, Will connects with the broader Richmond community and supports volunteers to help our clients thrive.

Sara Haroun
Economic Empowerment AmeriCorps Member

sara@reestablishrichmond.org

Sara was born in Sudan, raised in Egypt, and came to the U.S. in 2012 as a refugee. Inspired by the kindness she received, she is passionate about giving back to other newcomers. Currently pursuing an Associate’s degree in Psychology at Brightpoint Community College, Sara hopes to build a career in social services. Her experience as a student and work-study tour guide at Reynolds Community College shaped her core values as she helped prospective students navigate the application process and adjust to campus life. Sara now thrives as a substitute teacher while actively supporting the Sudanese community in Richmond. In recent years, she co-founded a club to create a safe space for Muslim teens to explore their identities as Muslims in America. This journey led her to ReEstablish Richmond, where she met a volunteer who introduced her to Heela sewing classes and the Narratio Fellowship. Now serving as an Economic Empowerment AmeriCorps member, Sara equips newcomers with tools to navigate the DMV process and become safe drivers. Sara is fluent in multiple Arabic dialects and loves listening to TED Talks and podcasts and learning about human behavior.

Meg Yoder
Capacity Building AmeriCorps Member

meg@reestablishrichmond.org

Meg relocated to Richmond from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where she earned her BA in History with a focus on human rights from Dickinson College. Inspired by a meaningful bond with a Dickinson staff member who had fled Somalia, Meg focused her studies on refugee rights, culminating in her senior thesis. Committed to fostering a safer world, Meg plans to pursue a Master's degree in Human Rights Law in the UK after completing her AmeriCorps service year and aims to work in immigration law, policy development, and advocacy for asylum seekers. As a Capacity Building AmeriCorps member with ReEstablish Richmond, Meg supports our Outreach team, including community events, volunteer engagement, and social media. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, watching films like "Lord of the Rings," dining out, cooking, and exploring the vibrant city of Richmond.

Susanna Alanko
Newcomer Education Intern

neintern1@reestablishrichmond.org

Raised in Northern Virginia, Susanna earned her BA with distinction from UVA, where she volunteered at a student-run center focused on community resources and research in anxiety and cognition. Her internships in foster care support and substance misuse prevention led her to pursue a Master of Social Work at VCU. Susanna is passionate about supporting others' well-being as a future social worker and therapist. In her free time, she loves reading, attending concerts, and exploring new cafes. With her multicultural background, Susanna is excited to support newcomers as they rebuild their lives here in Richmond.

Hadie Romero
Newcomer Education Intern

neintern2@reestablishrichmond.org

Hadie is a Virginia native who graduated from Stony Brook University, SUNY with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and Sociology. She recently moved to Richmond to begin her Master’s in Social Work at VCU with a clinical focus. Hadie is excited to work with the newcomer population as her parents are immigrants from El Salvador. She is grateful for this opportunity to join ReEstablish Richmond’s Newcomer Education team and help facilitate our in-person programming.

Patrick Braford

Patrick founded ReEstablish Richmond in 2010 after getting to know several refugee families through attending Tabernacle Baptist Church. As he became aware of the challenges faced by refugee communities, his experiences at Habitat for Humanity and Richmond Christian Leadership Institute solidified in Patrick's mind the importance that housing plays in the ability of newcomers to exercise a sense of personal integrity and establish a place of their own in the community. ReEstablish Richmond was born out of his desire to improve the resettlement process for refugees and to support the agencies that serve them. In 2013, Patrick stepped away from ReEstablish Richmond to start Global Painting, a residential and commercial painting company with a crew of skilled painters, all of whom came to Richmond as refugees.

Lindsay Bunting Eubanks, Co-Chair

Lindsay currently works as an attorney for Sands Anderson, specializing in employment law and litigation. She holds a J.D. from William and Mary and a B.A. from the University of Virginia with majors in both French and in Political and Social Thought. She has published pieces on human rights, international law, environmental law, and Islamic law. Lindsay has a heart for non-profit service. Prior to her legal career, she served as a leader for several non-profit organizations providing educational, self-reliance, and employment programming for women and underserved populations. Having lived abroad three times in her adult life, she understands what it feels like to adapt to a new culture and to unfamiliar surroundings. She truly appreciates the difference welcoming strangers make. This experience fuels her passion for welcoming refugees to her native Virginia home. Lindsay joined the ReEstablish Richmond Board of Directors in 2020.

Veena Lothe, Co-Chair

Veena is a proud first-generation Indian-American. Her parents moved to rural West Virginia in the early 1960's, where her father served as a physician. He dedicated his life to serving the impoverished population of the Appalachian coalfields, which taught her the value of service. These lessons of service stayed with Veena throughout her life. After graduating from Cornell Law School, Veena followed in a career of service by working as a civil rights, union-side labor, and immigration attorney. Most of her immigration cases today are pro bono. Veena has been in the Greater Richmond area since 1999, raising her two kids and putting them through public schools. She is active in the community as a school volunteer, serves as a board member at the Shady Grove YMCA, and volunteers as a grassroots activist. Veena joined the ReEstablish Richmond Board of Directors in 2019.

Steven Graeff, Treasurer

Steven Graeff is a CPA at PBMares, LLP, a regional public accounting firm, in which he serves as an out-sourced Controller to many small to mid-sized businesses. There he specializes in financial and managerial accountings, budgeting, and various analyses. Prior to that, Steven was a Director of Finance and Accounting for another Richmond-based nonprofit organization. He has been in the Richmond area for over 12 years and is an alumnus of Virginia Commonwealth University. Steven is also a veteran after serving 10 years in the United States Navy, stationed out of Norfolk, Virginia. Steven joined the ReEstablish Richmond Board of Directors in 2024.

Ellen Duerksen, Secretary

After 35 years in a variety of marketing and operations leadership roles for large and small organizations, Ellen retired to pursue a new life mission of "investing in the well-being of the displaced." She has been involved with foster care, affordable housing, job counseling, and assisting immigrant families to get settled in our community. In 2024 Ellen began serving as the Coordinator for Third Church's Immigrant Tutoring Program. She holds an MBA from Harvard and is active in her faith community. Ellen joined the ReEstablish Richmond Board of Directors in 2024.

Jay Beekman, Board Member

Jay is a Vice President at LOCUS Impact Investing, a national nonprofit consultancy and mission-driven investment advisory firm. His professional experience prior to LOCUS includes investment banking, commercial banking, corporate strategy, and financial planning/analysis. Jay holds a BA in Hispanic Studies and History from Boston College and an MBA from the University of Virginia. He cares deeply about fostering an inclusive and welcoming Richmond community. Jay began volunteering with ReEstablish Richmond in 2016 and joined the Board of Directors in 2022. 

Megan Benckert (RN, MSN, IDHA), Board Member

Megan currently serves as the Senior Director of the Outbreak Readiness and Response Unit Division of Disease Control for the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Megan received her Master of Science in Public Health Nursing from Emory University, Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Virginia, and an International Diploma in Humanitarian Assistance from Fordham University. Megan has a passion for serving during emergency responses and has worked in varying capacities around the globe with Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) overseeing operations of hospitals and health centers for refugee and internally displaced populations. She has also worked with international NGOs in low- and middle-income countries supporting pediatric survival research, polio eradication programs, clinic expansion projects, and mental health curriculum development. As a native of the Richmond area, she desires to also support newcomers as they start their new lives here in Virginia. Megan joined the ReEstablish Richmond Board of Directors in 2023. 

Maggie Garinther, Board Member

Maggie is a Business Manager with the Virginia Economic Development Partnership. She specializes in workforce development and building strong community connections to help new and expanding businesses address talent needs. Maggie is passionate about public service and has completed two AmeriCorps terms: In the State and National program, she supported college and career readiness for public school students, and in the NCCC program, she supported local nonprofits with environmental projects and community development activities. Maggie holds a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing from the University of Cincinnati, as well as a Master of Public Administration and a Master of Nonprofit Management from the University of Oregon. Maggie moved to Virginia in 2022, became an English tutor with ReEstablish Richmond that same year, and joined the Board of Directors in 2024.

Jalal Hashimi, Board Member

Jalal was born in Kabul, Afghanistan and moved to the U.S. in 2014. He speaks English, Farsi/Dari, Pashto, and understands Hindi, enabling him to connect with a broad range of people in both his professional and personal life. Jalal holds a Bachelor of Education degree from Afghanistan and earned an Associate’s degree in Computer Science here in Virginia. Jalal's career includes roles as an Administration Manager, HR Manager, Insurance Agent, Workforce Analyst, and currently, Software Engineer in Test at MOHELA. He excels in organizational leadership, human resources, sales, customer service, and software testing. Passionate about continuous learning and personal growth, Jalal enjoys exploring new places and cultures. His journey reflects a commitment to excellence and lifelong learning. Jalal joined the ReEstablish Richmond Board of Directors in 2024.

Lillie Hinkle, Board Member

As an Associate Policy Analyst with the Migration Policy Institute’s National Center on Immigrant Integration Policy, Lillie works on issues including refugee resettlement, the integration trajectories of humanitarian populations, and access to benefits and services for immigrant families. Prior to joining MPI, Lillie worked for the International Rescue Committee, providing services to refugee families in Richmond. She holds a master’s degree in refugee and forced migration studies from the University of Oxford and a bachelor's degree in anthropology and philosophy from Virginia Commonwealth University. During her graduate studies, Lillie recruited country-of-origin experts for an online legal aid resource network through the International Refugee Rights Initiative's Rights in Exile Program. From mutual aid to prison abolition to migrant support, Lillie has extensive volunteer/organizing experience and remains deeply committed to cultivating inclusive, equitable communities. Lillie joined the ReEstablish Richmond Board of Directors in 2024.

Sonali Khetarpal, Board Member

Sonali is a Strategic Advisor, Investor Relations at Dominion Energy. Her role focuses on communicating the company’s strategy, especially as related to sustainability and ESG matters, to members of the financial community. Prior to her current role, Sonali worked as an M&A Specialist for Dominion. She also has professional experience in investment banking and started her career as a CFO advisory consultant at KPMG, LLP. Sonali received her bachelor’s degree in Commerce from the University of Virginia and her MBA from the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business. As a young child, Sonali immigrated from India to the United States and she values the critical support that local communities provide for families as they restart their lives in a new country. Sonali joined the ReEstablish Richmond Board of Directors in 2023.

Lawrenz Mejia, Board Member

Lawrenz is a second-generation Filipino-American who has resided in the Richmond area his whole life. In his current role as Senior Accountant of Dominion Energy, his primary focus is accounting, budgeting, and analysis under the DEV rider team. From his mother’s experience acclimating their family to Richmond from the Philippines, to his own experience growing up in our diverse city, Lawrenz understands the importance of fostering a welcoming and supportive community, especially when it comes to establishing life from another country. With these values in mind, Lawrenz joined the ReEstablish Richmond Board of Directors in 2024.

Hawa Stwodah (BFA, MFA), Board Member

Hawa is a designer, illustrator, and educator whose career has spanned many sectors within the fashion industry. Exhibited nationally and internationally, her projects examine identity, social behaviors, and visual communication through the lens of surface design. Hawa has worked in the United States and the Middle East, collaborating with companies in Europe and Asia and consulting on experimental designs using innovative textiles for apparel, healthcare, and infant accessories. She left the private sector to join Virginia Commonwealth University’s Department of Fashion Design + Merchandising, working at both the Richmond and Doha Qatar campuses. Hawa joined the ReEstablish Richmond Board of Directors in 2022.

Marilyn Breslow, Trustee

As the director of Refugee and Immigration Services of the Catholic Diocese of Richmond for 33 years, Marilyn oversaw the resettlement of over 12,000 refugees into Richmond, Roanoke, and Hampton Roads. Her experience with resettlement policies and multiple populations from across the globe inspired her to join the ReEstablish Richmond Board of Directors in 2014.

Sarah Merryman, Trustee

With a diverse work history in a variety of industries, Sarah has seen firsthand the challenges faced by refugee and immigrant families. After graduating from Virginia Commonwealth University with a B.A. in Art History, Sarah spent the majority of her twenties traveling both domestically and abroad. Since her return to the States, Sarah has resided in different major cities, connected with a variety of community-focused programs, and participated in peaceful protest marches covering topics from criminal justice reform to reproductive rights. In 2015 Sarah returned to Richmond to attend University of Richmond School of Law. She currently works as a licensed attorney and continues to support Afghan refugees through her pro bono work. Sarah served on the ReEstablish Richmond Board for 6 years before becoming a Trustee.

Ramona Taheri, Trustee

Ramona is the Executive Director of the Peace Operations Training Institute, a nonprofit nongovernmental organization providing accessible e-learning on topics related to peace operations including international humanitarian law, the protection of civilians in conflict/post-conflict settings, mine action, humanitarian relief, disarmament, international conflict resolution, cultural property protection, and gender issues, among other topics. Prior to joining the Institute, Ramona worked and volunteered in various capacities with Amnesty International USA, the Red Cross, refugee resettlement agencies, and Columbia University’s Institute for Social and Economic Research and Policy. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Foreign Affairs from the University of Virginia and a master’s degree in Political Science with a focus in International Relations from Columbia University. Ramona served on the ReEstablish Richmond Board of Directors for eight years before becoming a Trustee in 2024.