Our Vision
ABOUT
The Institute envisions Connecticut as a place where new Americans may fully participate in our culturally diverse communities, where low-income families may have access to affordable immigration services and be reunited with family, where survivors of crime and persecution may have the resources needed to become self-supporting and healed and where ethnic diversity is valued as a cultural and economic strength by all.
Dinner by the Sea Our Mission
A BENEFIT FOR THE INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF CONNECTICUT
The International Institute is a statewide nonprofit organization that assists refugees and immigrants resolve legal, economic, linguistic and social barriers so that they become self-sufficient, integrated and contributing members of the community. The Institute achieves this mission by providing a compassionate array of high-quality legal, social and educational programming and by promoting cross-cultural understanding and decent treatment for all.
Our Vision
ABOUT
The Institute envisions Connecticut as a place where new Americans may fully participate in our culturally diverse communities, where low-income families may have access to affordable immigration services and be reunited with family, where survivors of crime and persecution may have the resources needed to become self-supporting and healed and where ethnic diversity is valued as a cultural and economic strength by all.
Our Mission The International Institute is a statewide nonprofit organization that assists refugees and immigrants resolve legal, economic, linguistic and social barriers so that they become self-sufficient, integrated and contributing members of the community. The Institute achieves this mission by providing a compassionate array of high-quality legal, social and educational programming and by promoting cross-cultural understanding and decent treatment for all.
Our Vision
ABOUT
The Institute envisions Connecticut as a place where new Americans may fully participate in our culturally diverse communities, where low-income families may have access to affordable immigration services and be reunited with family, where survivors of crime and persecution may have the resources needed to become self-supporting and healed and where ethnic diversity is valued as a cultural and economic strength by all.
Our Mission The International Institute is a statewide nonprofit organization that assists refugees and immigrants resolve legal, economic, linguistic and social barriers so that they become self-sufficient, integrated and contributing members of the community. The Institute achieves this mission by providing a compassionate array of high-quality legal, social and educational programming and by promoting cross-cultural understanding and decent treatment for all.
MESSAGE
From our President & CEO and Board Chair Welcome to IICONN’s 2016 Benefit.
Thank you for joining IICONN as we continue to serve and empower refugees, immigrants and survivors of human trafficking and torture. As 2016 comes to a close, we reflect on what a pivotal year it has been for the International Institute of Connecticut as significant global events and national dialogue affect directly the people we serve and our core mission. Tonight, we are privileged to recognize one of IICONN’s dear friends and supporters, Jane Norgren, for her commitment to refugees, immigrants, and survivors. We present to Jane the IICONN Circle of Achievement Award as an expression of our gratitude for her work strengthening lives, strengthening Connecticut. In 2017, IICONN has committed to resettling 160 refugees and we need your help. Please consider partnering with IICONN in one of these ways: • • • •
Give a gift today Become a mentor to a new refugee Hire an IICONN client Sponsor an IICONN program
IICONN’s success is possible thanks to the numerous partners and supporters who have opened doors for refugees and immigrants in Connecticut, improving not only their lives but the lives of their families. We are extremely grateful to each and every one of you. IICONN Board members and staff are eager to share the various ways you can be a part of IICONN’s endeavors, so please ask us, today or in the future, about how you can help IICONN. Please go to IICONN’s website – www.iiconn.org – to add your name to our mailing list and receive updates on all that is happening at IICONN. On behalf of the IICONN Board, thank you again for joining us today.
Claudia Connor President & CEO, IICONN
Barbara Green Chair, Board of Directors
Welcome
Robert Smith III Social Venture Partner
PROGRAM
Claudia Connor President & CEO, International Institute of Connecticut
Film
Produced by Josh and Owen Shelov With thanks to Maggie Vision
Keynote Speaker
Daniel Trust Founder & CEO, The Daniel Trust Foundation, Inc.
Poem: I Wish
Akbal N. Rajab Burundian Refugee, IICONN Client
Live Auction
Jack Leslie Chairman, Weber Shandwick
Circle of Achievement Award Presentation Presented by Juanita James President & CEO, Fairfield County’s Community Foundation Presented to Jane Norgren
Closing Remarks Barbara Green Principal at Green and Gross, P.C., IICONN Board Chair
SPEAKER BIOS Robert Smith One of SVP-CT’s founding Partners, Robert recently concluded a 21-year tenure with Glencore, Ltd., a leading integrated producer and marketer of over 90 commodities. Having held senior positions in finance, business development, operations, and research, Robert has extensive experience in asset utilization reporting as well as identifying and implementing personnel, systems, and workflow modifications to ensure operational efficiency and customer satisfaction. A man of many talents and hats, Robert is a member of SVP-CT’s Executive Board and as our first Investment Chair has been instrumental in developing our grant process. As part of the team engaged with IICONN, SVP-CT’s first nonprofit engagement, Robert has been guiding the assessment and implementation of improvements to the organization’s accounting systems/reports and facilities/real estate planning. Robert is also an active volunteer in his community; as a coach for several sports teams, youth group teacher and leader of the annual Appalachia Project at his church, and Finance Chair of the Black Rock Yacht Club. He received his MS Finance and MBA degrees from the University of Connecticut and is currently pursuing his Masters in Teaching (Secondary Education, Business). Robert resides in Fairfield with his wife, Tanya, and their children.
Claudia Connor Claudia Connor is the President & CEO of the International Institute of Connecticut. Claudia has over twenty-five years of program management, advocacy, and legal and strategic leadership experience in the non-profit sector in the United States, Africa and Southeast Asia. Prior to coming to IICONN, Claudia worked at Save the Children cultivating strategic partnerships with private foundations. She also worked at the International Rescue Committee as a Senior Technical Advisor in the Governance & Rights Unit, Regional Director in the US Programs department supervising refugee resettlement offices, and as Director of National Refugee Resettlement Programs. In Africa and Southeast Asia, Claudia worked with UNICEF and the Carter Center on issues ranging from child trafficking and child soldiers, women’s rights, juvenile justice and HIV/AIDS. Before moving overseas in 1998, Claudia was a senior trial attorney for Legal Aid Society in New York. She has her JD from Brooklyn Law School and a B.A. in History from University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Claudia lives in Norwalk with her husband and their three boys, ages 12, 15 and 16.
Daniel Trust Daniel Trust is a Rwandan genocide survivor, an internationally recognized motivational speaker, and an advocate for refugee, low-income and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) youth. He has lectured at prestigious universities such as the Chinese University of Hong Kong, University of Florida, and Duke University. Daniel is the Founder and CEO of the Daniel Trust Foundation, a US-based nonprofit organization that helps students from low-income communities with their educational and career needs and honors educators, who go above and beyond to help these students succeed in school and in their personal lives. Daniel is executive producer and host of the Daniel Trust Show, Daniel Trust Awards, Cocktails with Daniel Trust and serves as creative director of Daniel Trust Magazine. In the community, Daniel supports many local non-profit organizations including Triangle Community Center, Cardinal Shehan Center and Bridgeport Child Advocacy Coalition. He serves on the Board of Directors of True Colors, Bridgeport Public Education Fund, International Institute of Connecticut, and is an alumni of the Fairfield County’s Community Foundation Board Chair Roundtable. Daniel’s story of surviving the Rwandan genocide, advocacy for refugee, low-income and LGBT youth and his philanthropic efforts have been featured in local, national, and international publications including The New Haven Register (Connecticut), The Record (New Jersey), and The Standard (Hong Kong). He’s appeared on daytime talk shows like Better Connecticut, Connecticut Style, and Our Lives. Connecticut Magazine and Fairfield County Business Journal have listed Daniel to its 40 Under 40 Lists. Most recently, Daniel’s story was profiled on “NYBERG,” a television show hosted by Connecticut TV legend, Ann Nyberg. Daniel holds a business management degree from Southern Connecticut State University, is a father of two adopted sons and lives in Bridgeport, CT.
Akbal N. Rajab Akbal N. Rajab was born in Burundi in 1998 and then raised in a refugee camp in Tanzania. In September, 2015, he came to America as a refugee with his mother and two six-year-old twin brothers. Akbal has had to assume the responsibilities of an adult, since his father died when he was just a child. While at first Akbal felt shy, he discovered in his English class at Bassick High School that poetry inspired him and allowed him to have a voice. Akbal is grateful to his teachers for their guidance and support. Akbal has gained notoriety as a young poet by reading his poetry on WPKN and NWP radio stations, as well as performing at the Ridgefield Playhouse in Ridgefield, CT. Akbal looks forward to attending college and pursuing a successful career so that he can help support his family. But most of all, Akbal looks forward to becoming a prolific poet and inspiring others. Lastly, Akbal says he is grateful to IICONN for helping his family begin their new life in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and assisting him in obtaining a part time job on the weekends.
SPEAKER BIOS Jack Leslie Jack Leslie is Chairman of Weber Shandwick, one of the world’s leading global communications and engagement firms. A strategic communications executive, political consultant and international development activist, Jack brings a long track record of helping clients integrate global political, economic, cultural and communication trends to create innovative, forward-looking strategy and plans. Some of the companies he has counseled include American Airlines, Bank of America, GE, HP, Johnson & Johnson, MasterCard, Merck & Co, Microsoft, Nestle, Novartis, PepsiCo, Pfizer, Siemens, Unilever and YUM! Jack is one of the pioneers of stakeholder engagement and political consulting. He has been involved as a communications and political strategist in many of the most highly visible campaigns on three continents over the past 30 years. He was also instrumental in developing successful reputation and public policy campaigns for the credit card, food biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. Jack was appointed by President Obama in 2009 to serve as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the U.S. African Development Foundation. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, Chairman of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Advisory Committee on Voluntary Foreign Aid, Chairman of Duke Global Health Institute’s Board of Advisors and Chairman of the Ron Brown Scholar Program. Jack is also a member of the board of advisors for the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, a member of the InterAction Business Council Advisory Board, a trustee of the Circumnavigators Foundation and former Chairman of the Board of USA for UNHCR (the UN Refugee Agency). Jack began his career as an aide to Senator Edward Kennedy, serving as his political director and as Executive Director of the Fund for a Democratic Majority. He joined Sawyer Miller Group, a prominent political consulting firm, in 1983 and became President of the company in 1985. During the 1980’s and 1990’s, Jack provided political counsel to dozens of presidential and statewide campaigns in the United States, Latin America, Asia and Africa.
Daniel Trust Juanita James Juanita T. James joined the Community Foundation in 2011. She previously served as chief marketing and communications officer for Pitney Bowes Inc. Prior to Pitney Bowes, she held key roles at Time Warner, Inc. and Bertelsmann, Inc. Juanita is a director of the Asbury Automotive Group and Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, a corporator for First County Bank, a trustee of the University of Connecticut and Lesley University in Cambridge, and a trustee emerita of Princeton University. Her long history of leadership and volunteer service with local and national nonprofits has been recognized with numerous awards, including the NAACP “100 Most Influential Blacks in Connecticut,” the Stamford Public Education Foundation “Excellence in Education,” Moff ly Media “Light a Fire,” and Stamford “Citizen of the Year.” Juanita holds a master’s degree in business policy from Columbia University’s Graduate School of Business Program, and a bachelor’s degree in romance languages from Princeton University. She lives in Stamford with her husband. They have one son.
Barbara Green Daniel Trust
Barbara Green is the Chair of the IICONN Board of Directors and has been on the IICONN Board since 2009. She is an attorney and partner at Green and Gross, P.C. where she concentrates her practice in the areas of family law, probate administration (including trusts, estates, conservatorships, and guardianships), estate planning and elder law. Much of her practice is devoted to assisting persons with disabilities (and their family members) to establish special needs trusts. Barbara is involved in many community organizations and activities. Barbara is on the Board of the Annual Campaign of the Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven (JFGNH) and previously served as the President of the Jewish Federation’s Women’s Division, Chairperson of the JFGNH Planning and Allocations Committee and as a Co-chairperson of its 2002 Israeli Emergency Campaign. She has been an active volunteer with the Kennedy Center, Inc. of Trumbull, Connecticut and a member and officer of its Board of Directors since 1994 and was Chairman of its Board of Directors from 2002 through 2004. She has served on the Advisory Board for the Southwest Region of the Department of Mental Retardation and has, since 2000, been a member of the Legal Advisory Board for Planned Lifetime Assistance Network, Inc. Barbara was raised in the Bridgeport area, lived in New Haven for many years and recently relocated to Milford. She graduated with honors from Connecticut College in 1976 and earned a Masters Degree from the University of Connecticut School of Social Work in 1978 and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Connecticut School of Law in 1985.
AWARDEE Jane Norgren IICONN CIRCLE OF ACHIEVEMENT AWARD Originally born in Delano, California, Jane Norgren has strengthened lives in Connecticut for the past 50 years. The granddaughter of a business tycoon, Jane embarked on her impressive education and career path with energy and passion. Jane earned her undergraduate degree at Harvard and went on to receive graduate degrees in education and business from George Washington University and UCONN, respectively. Jane has spent her entire life in education and management. She was the Executive Director of the Childcare Learning Center of Stamford for over 20 years and worked as an adjunct professor at UCONN where she taught early childhood education, nonprofit management, leadership, and family policy. Jane has served on multiple Governor’s taskforces and been an advocate for education and the elderly in the state. Jane is a loving mother and is honored here today with her family and children, Erik, Anna, and Nils Norgren. She succeeds her husband, Phillip Norgren, whom she was married to for over 45 years. She has 6 grandchildren and is the legal guardian for 4 people living with various developmental disabilities. Jane Norgren is invaluable to her children, her students, her coworkers, and her community. Jane has been a friend of IICONN for many years, enthusiastically and selflessly volunteering since 2007. Jane has been a mentor, an active member of the Board of Directors and its various committees, President of the Board of Directors from 2012-2015, Vice-President of the Board from 2015 to the present, and Interim Executive Director of the agency from 2008 to 2009. Many IICONN clients and their families are leading better and stronger lives because of Jane’s volunteerism, fund-raising efforts, and her relentless advocacy on their behalf.
AUCTION
The following items are available at this year’s Dinner by the Sea auction.
Sunset Sail with Cocktails & Hors d'oeuvres Embark on a privately chartered voyage from Black Rock Yacht Club with an esteemed sea captain. Sip on a signature cocktail as you take in the nostalgic Connecticut shoreline. Revel in the setting sun as the day melts away on your private vessel.
Rick Shaefer Print A truly rare opportunity to take home a print from Shaefer’s newest unveiling, “Refugee Trilogy.” “Lion” is a precursor to the “Refugee Trilogy.” a monumental new series created by the artist in response to the ongoing refugee crisis convulsing the globe. The trilogy employs the artistic lexicon of the Baroque (specifically incorporating heroic figurative elements of paintings by Peter Paul Rubens) to explore this contemporary crisis. The three triptychs are each executed in charcoal on vellum. The Trilogy was on view at the Fairfield University Art Museum (Thomas J. Walsh Gallery) and inspired extensive, cross discipline programming throughout the University and the community. “Lion” is one of several preparatory drawings used for the series.
Pipe Dream Nantucket Vacation Home Includes: $300 Visa Gift Card for travel & leisure Duration: 1 week in May or post-Labor Day through end of October Host your family and friends at Pipe Dream in sun-kissed Madaket, Nantucket. This rare home sleeps 8 people comfortably with a master bedroom with queen size bed, guest bedroom with 2 twin beds, and bunk room with four bunks. Spend your days at the beach with only a 4-minute walk to the ocean or a 3-minute walk to the bay. Spend your evenings in the tower perfect for catching a famous Madaket sunset. Enjoy all Nantucket has to offer just 7 miles from town.
AUCTION
Kinky Boots House Tickets for 2 to NYC & Dinner at Estiatorio Milos
Includes: 2 tickets, limousine to NYC, dinner at Estiatorio Milos Take in dinner and a show in our great city! Rudy’s Limo will be your private chauffeur for the evening as you and a guest enjoy house seats at the Tony Award-winning production Kinky Boots. Your evening will be complete with a lively dinner at the famous Estiatorio Milos.
Personal Training Package Includes: 6 Private Sessions plus Unlimited Classes Get in shape before the holidays with 6 one-hour personal training sessions, including a full strength and movement assessment from Ken O’Toole OZone Fitness Training Center. You will also enjoy access to unlimited classes at the center.
Custom-Made Tablecloth from Our Woven Community & Orange Tree in Clay Planter This Thanksgiving, share the story at your family table of your custom-made tablecloth made by women from Our Woven Community, many of whom are former clients of IICONN. Our Woven Community serves refugee women living in Bridgeport by providing an opportunity for creativity, community integration and economic growth. By investing in this beautiful trade, you are investing in a life and a future. To complement this donation to life, bring home a rich Orange Tree in a stunning planter from Copia Home and Garden in New Canaan.
Frederic Chiu Salon Evening Includes: Hors d’oeuvres for 10 people Host your family and friends at your home or at Beechwood arts center in Westport as award-winning classical concert pianist, Frederic Chiu, plays your piano and provides an unforgettably unique experience your guests are sure to not forget. Chiu generously provides this opportunity for only 2 concerts per year. The salon package generously includes hors d’oeuvres for 10 by Rosinne Chlala of Festivities events.
Swallow Point Nova Scotia Vacation Home Includes: $300 Visa Gift Card for travel & leisure Duration: 1 week Built in 1909 for a granddaughter of James Fenimore Cooper, this one-of-a-kind, Arts & Crafts masterpiece is situated on 6+ private oceanfront acres with new dock and updated Vintage tennis court. With windows on three sides, the sun-filled East & West Sun Porches offer venues for morning tea & scones and late afternoon imbibing as the sun drops below the enchanting blue Spruces. Just 5 minutes from the charming town of Chester, renowned for its annual international sailing regatta; 30 minutes from Lunenburg, a Unesco World Heritage site. You will spend 1 week nestled in this luxury waterside estate warming yourself by the fire while simultaneously breathing in the fresh sea air. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to hibernate with your family or seek out nautical adventure!
MANY THANKS
A heartfelt thanks to our Benefit Leadership, Sponsors, Partners, Board and Staff for making this event possible. Benefit Leadership
Board of Directors
Benefit Chairs Rosinne Chlala Caroline Pech Leslie
Barbara Green, Chair Jane Norgren, Vice Chair Robert Smith III, Secretary James Rulmyr, Treasurer Rafael Aparicio Youssef Boutros Faith Fennelly Kathleen Freis Gary Holmes Robert Maresca, Esq. Jeffrey Mayer Alex Meyerovich, Esq. George Paik Caroline Pech Leslie Peter Penczer, Esq. Richard Ryscavage, SJ Daniel Trust
Benefit Committee Jennifer Bangser Gaby Chautin Claudia Connor Nancy Diamond Gay Empson Barbara Green Jane Norgren Jessica Suarez Debbie Steckler Denise Torve Laura Wilbur
Emeritus John LaCava, Esq. George Wolf, Esq. Staff
Elhassan Aitelqadi • Merari Antunez • Judith Baez • Sue Bechalany • Caitlin Burke • Christina Castellani • Claudia Connor • Leonela Cruz-Ahuatl • Oscar Cruz-Machado • Daniel Dauplaise • Ann Dejesus • Stephanie Dieudonne • Amanj Dze • Kirill Elin • Agnes Farkas • Marisabel Fernandez • Maria Garcia • Carmen Goircelaya • Edward Greenwood • Noel Haddock • Laura Herrera • Adriana Jimenez • Bonnie Kern • Alicia Kinsman • N’Sira Kourouma • Athanase Mwamba • Cecilia Orihuela • Sue Pathammavong • Adriana Podesta • Heather Powell • Evelyn Rios • Donna Santos • Caroline Sennett • Luke Sharples • Eva Simon • Jessica Suarez • Amanuel Tefferi
SPONSORS
Thanks for Joining Us
ABOUT
On behalf of the Benefit Committee, the IICONN staff and the Board of Directors, we extend our deepest gratitude to all of you for making this event so special.
Our Vision
If you are interested in learning more about IICONN or ways to get involved, please visit our website at www.iiconn.org. The Institute envisions Connecticut as a place where new Americans may fully participate in our culturally diverse communities, where low-income families may have access to affordable immigration services and be reunited with family, where survivors of crime and persecution may have the resources needed to become self-supporting and facebook.com/InternationalInstituteofConnecticut healed and where ethnic diversity is valued as a cultural and economic strength by all. twitter.com/_IICONN
Our Mission The International Institute is a statewide nonprofit organization that assists refugees and immigrants resolve legal, economic, linguistic and social barriers so that they become self-sufficient, integrated and contributing members of the community. The Institute achieves this mission by providing a compassionate array of high-quality legal, social and educational programming and by promoting cross-cultural understanding and decent treatment for all.