- January 7, 2024
- admin
USA for IOM mourns the passing of its former chairman, Mr. James N. Purcell Jr.
Mr. Purcell dedicated his career to championing the United States Refugee Admissions Program as well as multilateral cooperation on migration issues across the globe. He served as US Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees, and Migration Affairs from 1983 to 1986 and then as Director General of IOM from 1988 to 1998.
Mr. Purcell was actively involved in the leadership of USA for IOM for more than three decades, including as Chairman of the Board, a role from which he retired from in 2022.
He took immense pride in USA for IOM’s growth in leveraging the value of U.S. private sector and capturing the American people’s interest in humanitarian affairs and IOM’s mission to uphold the dignity and rights of migrants worldwide.
Recognized as a mentor, leader, humanitarian legend and advocate for migrants until his last days, he will be sincerely missed.
“Throughout Jim’s long and storied career, he was a tireless advocate for migrants and refugees,” said IOM Director General Amy Pope. “Long after he left IOM, he continued to lend his voice to support in the United States for the work of IOM, including as Chairman of the Board of Directors for USA for IOM. I will always be grateful for his counsel to IOM and to me personally, and for his kindness.”
James N. Purcell Jr. authored the book “We’re in DANGER! Who Will HELP Us? Refugees and Migrants: A Test of Civilization” (2019). The book is a history of events and teamwork among members of the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Refugee Programs and its protection and resettlement programs, domestic and with international cooperation.
At the request of Mr. Purcell’s family, fulfilling his wish, in his memory donations can be made to USA for IOM to support its mission to raise awareness about our global priorities: climate change, poverty, conflict, counter-trafficking, and the socio-economic integration of migrants.
Election of USA for IOM Board Officers
- October 23, 2023
- admin
Election of USA for IOM Board Officers
USA for IOM announces the appointment of our new Board Officers who will guide our nonprofit organization into its next chapter to further enhance awareness and spur action and investment for migration initiatives. The role, vision, and insights of our Board Members are pivotal to forward the USA for IOM mission, both in governance and financial stewardship.
USA for IOM celebrates the appointment of:
Chair of the Board of Directors, Suzanne Sheldon, was voted in by fellow Board Members. Suzanne Sheldon is a diplomat, lawyer, rule of law and migration policy expert, and Senior Advisor at the U.S. Department of State. Her work has included U.S.-supported life-saving assistance to refugees and vulnerable migrants and leading the team in IOM’s New York office (2017-2019) that supported UN member states on the Global Compact for Migration. She will become the Chair effective November 1st, 2023.
Treasurer of the Board of Directors, Dr. Ranit Mishori, is a recognized physician leader and health expert, working at the intersection of medicine, public and global health and human rights. With expertise in the health consequences of conflict and forced migration, she is a scholar on issues related to migration and health. Dr. Mishori currently serves as Georgetown University’s Vice President and Chief Public Health Officer. With her experience in overseeing budgets, and handling financial responsibilities while serving on multiple boards, she is well qualified for the Treasurer position
Secretary of the Board of Directors, Dr. Bobbi Wegner is an experienced psychologist, international speaker, author and advisor focused on helping individuals and organizations feel and work their best together. She is the founder and CEO of Groops which brings experts in group and organizational psychology to the office on an affordable, subscription basis to be accessible to teams across the organization. Dr. Wegner also teaches Motivation, Groups and Culture, and Applied Coaching at Harvard University.
USA for IOM expresses gratitude for the dedicated service of Luca Dall’Oglio who served as Chair of the Board of Directors. He is a retired international civil servant who worked with IOM for more than 30 years, most recently serving as Chief of Mission at IOM Washington.
We also want to thank Peter Schatzer, Permanent Observer of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean to the UN (Vienna), and long-standing Board Member of USA for IOM, for his service to the Board for more than 12 years. The Board and the entire USA for IOM team extend gratitude for his dedicated service and commitment towards our mission. He previously served IOM for 24 years in various leadership positions.
USA for IOM extends its gratitude to all of our Board Members, whose collective expertise and leadership greatly enhance our efforts, especially during these times of multiple global crises. As we welcome our Board Officers into their new roles, we acknowledge the weighty responsibilities they undertake. With full confidence, we believe their leadership will be instrumental to the continued growth and impact of USA for IOM.
In tandem with our recent significant expansions and our contributions to IOM’s pivotal priorities, we are also eager to grow our board further. Actively seeking new Board Members who resonate with our values and mission will infuse our organization with fresh insights and renewed energy. Their diverse experiences and commitment will be vital as we aim to address the world’s pressing challenges more effectively.
The USA for IOM Board of Directors
Welcoming Dr. Ranit Mishori, new USA for IOM Board Member
- September 15, 2023
- admin
Welcoming Dr. Ranit Mishori, new USA for IOM Board Member
USA for IOM is proud to announce that Dr. Ranit Mishori has joined our Board of Directors.
Dr. Mishori is a recognized physician leader and health expert, working at the intersection of medicine, public and global health and human rights. With over two decades of experience and expertise in the health consequences of conflict and forced migration, she is a recognized leader and scholar on issues related to migration and health.
< Dr. Ranit Mishori
“As a granddaughter of refugees and a migrant myself, I feel connected in multiple ways to the experience of immigrants and displaced people in their home or host country (or somewhere in between),” said Dr. Mishori.
Dr. Mishori currently serves as Georgetown University’s Vice President and Chief Public Health Officer where she oversees the University’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and other infectious diseases and public health emergencies. As a member of the senior leadership team she provides strategic advice and technical expertise to all units and divisions across all campuses.
Pre-pandemic, Dr. Mishori was deeply engaged in research, teaching, mentorship and clinical care as Professor of Family Medicine at the Georgetown University School of Medicine. She directed the department’s Global Health Initiatives for over 8 years, directed the Health Policy fellowship, established and directed the Health and Media Fellowship, and led Georgetown’s Practice-Based Research Network, among other academic leadership roles.
Dr. Mishori brings a social justice and human rights lens to all her professional pursuits. From an early start as a journalist covering wars and the plight of refugees for global news organizations, she has been focused on the far-reaching impact of conflict, and ways to relieve related suffering. She continues to report and write on health and medicine, publishing more than 300 articles in the popular media, and more than 80 peer-reviewed health-related articles. As a physician and advocate, she is widely recognized for her research on and work with forced migrants, torture survivors, asylum seekers and people affected by conflict-related sexual violence, particularly as Senior Medical Advisor at Physicians for Human Rights.
Dr. Mishori’s leadership roles are numerous. A Diplomate and a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians – the largest single specialty professional organization in the US – Dr. Mishori has been a deeply engaged leader and advisor on initiatives spanning primary care, global health, human rights, population and community health for a multiple US-based and global organizations.
We extend a warm welcome to Dr. Mishori.
