Immigrants and Internationals Advisory Council

The Immigrants and Internationals Advisory Council (IIAC) was established to inform and advise the director and executive staff of the Department of Human Services (DHS) regarding the human service needs of immigrant and international residents of Allegheny County. The council is a diverse, representative group of immigrant leaders, service providers and other stakeholders who identify issues of concern and important changes in the needs of immigrant and international communities in order to support the DHS mission to be culturally competent and inclusive. Administrative coordination for the council is facilitated by the DHS Immigrants & Internationals (I&I) Initiative.

Current Members

  • Yinka Aganga-Williams, Acculturation for Justice, Access & Peace Outreach (AJAPO)
  • Feyisola Alabi, City of Pittsburgh – Office of the Mayor
  • Edem Avotri, Ghana Men’s Association of Pittsburgh
  • Rosamaria Cristello, Latino Community Center
  • Sloane Davidson, Hello Neighbor
  • Patricia Documet, University of Pittsburgh Public Health, Center for Health Equity
  • Bhola Dhungana, Women’s Center & Shelter
  • Katie Fitzsimmons, Squirrel Hill Health Center
  • Clara Folino, Allegheny Intermediate Unit, Adult ESL Services
  • Hannah Gerbe, Literacy Pittsburgh
  • Becky Johnson, Jewish Family & Children’s Services of Pittsburgh
  • Courtney Macurak, Prospect Park Family Center
  • Doug Masiroff, Pittsburgh Language Access Network (PLAN), Center for Hearing & Deaf Services
  • Mary Jayne McCullough, Global Wordsmiths
  • Laura Mcknight, Vibrant Pittsburgh
  • Kheir Mugwaneza, Allegheny Health Network
  • Omar Muya, Somali Bantu Community Association of Pittsburgh
  • Sylvester Omeje, Union of African Communities in Southwestern Pennsylvania
  • Tamare Piersaint, Carlow University, L’Union Fait La Force
  • Khlood Salman, Duquesne University, School of Nursing
  • Martha Sherlock, Allegheny Intermediate Unit
  • Cathy Sigmund, Geneva College
  • Ivonne Smith-Tapia, Jewish Family & Children’s Services of Pittsburgh
  • MiRan Surh, Emmaus Community of Pittsburgh
  • Khara Timsina, Bhutanese Community Association of Pittsburgh (BCAP); council co-chair
  • Sister Janice Vanderneck, Casa San Jose, Sisters of St. Joseph of Baden

Contact

For further information about the IIAC, please email Adriana Sanchez-Solis, Senior Manager of Community Engagement or call 412-350-1298.

Related Resources

DHS Advisory Boards

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