Dear Friend,

I’m writing to share some exciting staffing changes and growth at Grassroots International.

Acknowledging and planning for our growth as we work to address the pressing challenges ahead, we created a new position: Director of Planning and Special Initiatives. This new management role will concentrate on supporting healthy staff systems and internal planning, coordinating new initiatives and responding to urgent situations. I am pleased to announce that, after 11-plus years as our Director of Development and Communications, Carol Schachet is shifting into this new role. She previously worked with Resist and as an organizer with Witness for Peace and ACORN. She brings with her a profound commitment to our partnership model, understanding of staff culture and potential, deep connection to social movements, and enough of an adventurous spirit to learn on the job!

We are excited to welcome Mina Remy into the role vacated by Carol. They will step into the newly named position of Director of Philanthropic Partnerships. Mina has served most recently as the Solidarity Program Officer for West Africa and Haiti, and before that, was also our Program Coordinator for the Middle East. They have a background in law and public policy, been part of the Grassroots International family for the past eight years and enjoyed learning from and being inspired by our partners around the world, as well as our close allies. Through their program work, they have also built meaningful connections with both individual donors and foundations, including as part of the recent Global Engagement Lab of the EDGE Funders Alliance. Mina brings a passion for social justice and sustainable livelihoods to their work, as well as a commitment to deep relationship building.

Continuing the trend of finding diamonds in our midst, we welcome Milourdes Augustin as our new Solidarity Program Officer for Haiti and West Africa. She has served as Executive Assistant and interim Solidarity Program Officer at Grassroots International in recent months. Born and raised in Haiti, Milourdes’ experience includes her time serving the Haitian community by translating and helping folks navigate the citizenship process through Project Citizen. She has spent time connecting immigrants to resources and speaking at senior homes about the importance of securing legal staus in the US. She was also an active participant in our Donor Engagement Group, and is a talented playwright, actress and singer.

Last but not least, we welcome Ayman Nijim as our Solidarity Program Officer for the Middle East. Ayman is originally from Gaza, where he has worked at various international and community-based organizations with children who have experienced war and trauma. Ayman holds a Master’s in Intercultural Service, Leadership and Management from the School of International Training in Vermont. He has also received diplomas from the Dispute Resolution Center, the Conflict Center, and the International Trauma Healing Program, all in Olympia, Washington. Recently, Ayman was  program director at Maine Immigrant and Refugee Services and executive director of Common Ground, and he currently serves on the Advisory Board of the Gaza Community Mental Health Foundation.

Please join me in welcoming these amazing people to their new roles at Grassroots International! We invite you to an open house from 5:00 - 7:00 on Wednesday, October 2 at the Grassroots International office (179 Boylston Street, Jamaica Plain) to celebrate with us. Light refreshments will be served, so please RSVP so we can plan.

With deep gratitude, Chung-Wha Hong Executive Director