Staff and Board

LEADERSHIP

Megan Iverson
Program Director • [email protected]

Megan studied abroad in Ghana during her undergraduate History studies at Xavier University and learned first-hand that being new in a country can be an isolating experience.

She brings this to her work in helping newly resettled families find a home here in the Cincinnati area.

Her past working in a highly diverse Cincinnati Public elementary school created the lasting impression that schools are the hub of the American cultural experience for new families in the US. She works with school staff, partners, and area volunteer mentors to create welcoming environments across the city.

Kristin Burgoyne, MSSW
Executive Director • [email protected]

Kristin has spent the last 12 years providing direct services and in nonprofit leadership for several community-based and national nonprofits in Kentucky and Oregon.

Prior to RefugeeConnect, Kristin spent over 8 years supporting the integration of refugees, immigrants, and low-income residents in Louisville, KY (who collectively came from over 100 countries) as a direct service provider and Program Director for a local grassroots driven organization that serves 5,000 plus people a year. From 2017-2020, Kristin worked in Oregon supporting families affected by pediatric cancer and managed a program that promotes social-emotional health through a trauma-informed lens for school districts across Oregon.

Kristin's vision for creating a more welcoming community for refugees of the Greater Cincinnati area includes incorporating the voices of the community in decision-making, collaborating with partner agencies to create pathways that promote refugees success in the community, and enhancing the supportive services offered by RefugeeConnect.

Paula Olszewski
Finance Manager

We don't have Paula's bio just yet, but rest assured she is a valuable member of our team!

Navigator Service Coordinators

Murielle Kalenga
Navigator Services Coordinator

Murielle began work at RefugeeConnect as a Community Navigator and stepped into her current role as Navigator Services Coordinator in 2022. She enjoys supporting the Navigator team and welcoming new families into the services we provide.

She has an MBA and is a certified Community Health Worker. She enjoys long walks, running, traveling, baking cupcakes, waffles or any new online recipe, and trying new foods – she especially liked ratatouille.

Hemin Aziz
Refugee School Impact Liaison Coordinator

Hemin is a dedicated practitioner and scholar in the field of sociology, specializing in societal problems. Holding a Ph.D. from the University of Cincinnati, Hemin’s expertise spans research, teaching, and practical application. 

Currently, Hemin holds a full-time position as the Family-School Liaison Coordinator at Refugee Connect in Cincinnati and northern Kentucky. In his role, he plays a crucial part in supporting refugee families as they navigate the complexities of resettlement and integration into the new education system. With a deep understanding of the challenges faced by refugees, Hemin brings empathy, expertise, and dedication to his work, striving to make a positive impact on the lives of those he serves.

Meet Our navigators

Luma Al-Zubaidi
Community Navigator
Arabic Speaker

Luma studied General Trade and Libraries in her home country of Iraq and completed her Associates in Accounting Technology here in Cincinnati. In her role as Navigator, she engages in community outreach to identify individuals and families in need and connects them with relevant resources and services. She enjoys the personal connection she makes providing support through social check-ins via by phone and in-person and providing assistance as necessary. Her favorite part of the Navigator role is cultivating strong relationships with community partners to ensure her families have access to essential services.

Fabiola Avila
Refugee Health Navigator
Spanish Speaker

Fabiola doesn't have a bio just yet, but rest assured she is a valuable member of our team!

Christina Celedon
Community Navigator
Spanish Speaker

Coming from former West Germany, Christina lived a bicultural life attending U.S. Department of Defense Dependent Schools while living in their respective German communities. Blessed with a wide variety of worldly life experiences spanning 15 countries across 3 continents, Christina has a deep appreciation for different cultures and relates easily with other walks of life. Seeking constant optimization, this single mom of three takes great pride in finding efficiencies in daily life while maintaining a tricultural household. Christina finds joy in bringing value and gets a rush when she has played a part in directly improving someone's life. A strong advocate for library services, she is eager to connect families, so they become self-sufficient members of society.

Prakash Karal
Community Navigator
Nepali Speaker

Prakash serves at the Bhutanese Nepali speaking Navigator for RefugeeConnect and as the Pastor of Hallelujah Nepali Ministry. He was born in Bhutan and his family and people were forced to leave the country, living many hard years in Nepal as refugees. He is passionate about providing services to the community specifically in suicide prevention and educational support so students can take advantage of their educational opportunities in the US, finding good jobs, and maintaining their health. His inspiration for doing the work and supporting the families is that he has been there too and cares very deeply about their success.

Samantha Iliana Rangel
Community Navigator
Spanish Speaker

Samantha, a native of Venezuela, holds a degree in Accounting from the University of the Andes and a Master's in Public Management Administration. Alongside her academic pursuits, she's certified in Yoga and life coaching through Yoga Alliance. Since February 2023, she has been a dedicated Community Navigator at RefugeeConnect, driven by her profound alignment with the organization's mission of providing unconditional assistance to Hispanic families in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. Her commitment to serving the Latino community is deeply rooted in her identity as a proud U.S. citizen, finding immense fulfillment and purpose in guiding and supporting others within her community.

Evody Tshimanga
College & Career Readiness Navigator
French Speaker

Evody was born in the Republic Democratic of Congo and raised in America – in Jacksonville, Illinois. She spent her teenage years working in healthcare and when she moved to Ohio she began to pursue computer science and IT at Cincinnati State. Her background as an immigrant inspired her to now spend her time supporting other families that have relocated to America. She is currently working towards getting a degree in Social work in order to continue to provide services to the community.

Click below to view open positions at RefugeeConnect.

Career opportunities