Pathways to Success: Advancing Academic Performance and Successful Integration of Refugees
Date & time: Thursday, November 13th, 2025, 8:30am — 5:00pm
Check-in & registration: 8:30 am — 9:00 am
Optional post-event networking: 5:00 pm — 6:00 pm
*Light snacks and refreshments for breakfast and a lunch buffet will be provided. Food options will include Halal and vegetarian options. Masks are optional.
If you'd like to register to attend, please email us at CIRHadvisorygroup@phi.org for more information!
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About the Center for Immigrant and Refugee Health (CIRH)
The Center for Immigrant and Refugee Health (CIRH), a center of the Public Health Institute (PHI), is at the forefront of evidence-based, culturally congruent, and community-driven projects to promote and improve the health and well-being of immigrants and refugees. Our mission at CIRH is to actively bridge gaps in public health programs for immigrants and refugees. Drawing from diverse cultural and professional backgrounds, we commit to providing comprehensive, high-quality programs tailored to the unique needs of these communities. Through education, advocacy, and direct support, we empower our target communities with essential knowledge and resources, so that they may not only survive but thrive in their new environments. In all endeavors, we uphold the principles of equity, compassion, and excellence, championing a brighter and healthier future for every immigrant and refugee.
About the Conference
Building on the success of our inaugural event, Inclusive Education: Improving Academic Success and Promoting Wellness for Afghan and Ukrainian Refugee Students, this second annual conference continues the mission of forging collaboration, information sharing, and community engagement among Afghan Refugee School Impact-Support to Schools (ARSI—S2S) and Ukrainian Refugee School Impact (URSI) partners. This includes School Districts, community-based organizations (CBOs), refugees, community members, State, County, and other relevant stakeholders. Our focus remains on improving academic success, advancing the successful integration of refugees, and promoting wellness for students and their families.
This year’s event will bring stakeholders together once again to reflect on lessons learned, share successes and challenges from implementing ARSI—S2S, URSI, and similar initiatives, and discuss future strategies for supporting newcomer students and families. Participants will also have the opportunity to deepen their understanding of Afghan and Ukrainian refugee populations and how to best serve their needs.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this conference, participants will be able to:
Reflect on the current state of Afghan and Ukrainian refugee school-aged children in California and assess progress since last year’s gathering
Explore new and enhanced methods to support refugee students’ mental health and academic success, building on previous strategies
Discuss evolving approaches to promoting wellness for Afghan and Ukrainian refugee students and families
Identify new ways to make educational programs more inclusive and accessible, taking into account feedback and lessons from the first event
Gain insights into updated program activities and innovative methods for program implementation
Featured Speakers
Keynote Speaker
Krish O’Mara Vignarajah
President and CEO, Global Refuge
Krish O’Mara Vignarajah is the President and CEO of Global Refuge. She previously served in the Obama White House as Policy Director for First Lady Michelle Obama and at the State Department as Senior Advisor under Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Secretary of State John Kerry.
Krish has committed her career to public service because she knows how differently life could have turned out. She was 9 months old when she and her family escaped a country on the brink of civil war and built a life in Maryland.
Krish attended Yale College, where she earned a Master’s degree in Political Science and a B.S. in Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology. She was a Marshall Scholar at Oxford University, where she received an M.Phil. in International Relations, before returning to Yale Law School, where she served on the Yale Law Journal.
Krish and her husband, Collin O’Mara, are the parents of two young daughters, Alana and Leya.
Marta Induni, Ph.D.
Associate Vice President of Programs, PHI
Marta Induni is the Associate Vice President of Programs at PHI, where she works closely with program directors and principal investigators—providing mentorship, fostering collaboration, and ensuring programs have the support they need to thrive. She is especially proud of her leadership in advancing culturally grounded, trauma-informed approaches that support refugee and immigrant communities.
Holding a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology, Marta brings a lifelong commitment to learning, belonging, and bridging research with real-world impact. She believes in the power of public health to drive social change—and that meaningful relationships are at the heart of lasting progress.
Outside of her role at PHI, Marta serves on the board of the Latino Center of Art and Culture in Sacramento, where she champions the role of the arts in healing, cultural connection, and community strength.
Eliana Kaimowitz
Office of Equity Director, CDSS
Eliana Kaimowitz (she/her) was appointed Director of the Office of Equity at the California Department of Social Services in July 2024, where she has also served as Branch Chief of the Immigration Integration Branch, Bureau Chief of Immigration Service, and Executive Fellow beginning in 2018.
Eliana began her state service as an Immigrant Integration Executive Fellow in the Office of Governor Brown from 2017 to 2018. Prior to joining state government, she was a Senior Research Analyst for Service Employees International Union California State Council. Eliana also worked at several nonprofit organizations. She was a Senior Research and Global Program Coordinator for the Center for the Study of Law, Justice, and Society in Bogota, Colombia. She also worked at the California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation as an Equal Justice Works Fellow and later Staff Attorney. Before going to law school, Eliana was as Survey Research Associate for the Public Policy Institute of California.
Eliana earned a Juris Doctor degree from University of Pennsylvania Law School and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Government from Harvard College.
Carolina Sheinfeld
Office of Immigrant Youth Chief, CDSS
Carolina Sheinfeld is the Chief of the first ever Office of Immigrant Youth at the California Department of Social Services (CDSS). The Office of Immigrant Youth within CDSS’ Office of Equity was established in 2022 to meet the integration needs of immigrant youth, including highly vulnerable populations like unaccompanied children. In her new capacity, Carolina leads policy and program developments that cross multiple systems of care including immigration, education, child welfare, health care and community care licensing.
Carolina has a passion for humanitarian assistance and social justice and for the past two decades has built strong connections and strategic partnerships across the immigrant and refugee rights ecosystem. Carolina grew up in Spain and Venezuela and later moved to Los Angeles where she led the Immigrant Relations Office at the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) (2019-2022) and coordinated the Torture Survivors Project for the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles(2003-2018) while supporting the Refugee Forum of Los Angeles (2015-2018). In addition to improving the lives of immigrants and refugees, Carolina is also driven by a desire to influence public diplomacy and to cultivate inter-cultural relations.
Carolina lives in Los Angeles County with her family and their family dog Churro. She is an avid runner and enjoys spending time on the trails.
Abdi Abdillahi
California State Refugee Coordinator and Refugee Programs Bureau Chief, CDSS
Abdi Abdillahi, Refugee Programs Bureau (RPB) Chief and the California State Refugee Coordinator (SRC). Abdi oversees the federal funding for refugee services and is responsible for implementing the State Plan for refugee resettlement in CA. This includes the administration and development of refugee programs which includes the Refugee Cash Assistance, policies, and procedures to ensure refugees and other Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) populations receive the services they need to become self-sufficient.
As the SRC, Abdi also coordinates with public and private resources for refugees. He leads external communications with federal partners (ORR, PRM, and other federal agencies) and internal communications with state agency/department partners. He also monitors international, federal, and state policies and impact on RPB and refugee populations; performs one-on-one consultation with the California Resettlement Agencies (RAs), representation/participation in the State Coordinators of Refugee Resettlement (SCORR) and other federal partners meetings.
In his previous role with the RPB, Abdi also served as the Policy and Programs Section Chief with the RPB in which he oversees the implementation of the policies and procedures of the refugee programs and services.
Prior to joining the state, Abdi started his public service career in 2005 with the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency where he served across various programs, including CalWORKs, Welfare-to-Work/Quality Assurance, CalFresh, Medi-Cal, and Child Welfare Services. While he was with the San Diego County, he also served as the County Refugee Coordinator (CRC) and concurrently served as the Refugee Employment Services Manager. Abdi offered policy and program expertise in service to refugees and immigrants and has established community networks with Resettlement Agencies, community-based organizations, and local, state, and federal partners. He has also served as the Chair and Vice-Chair of the State Advisory Council on Refugee Assistance and Services and as Chair of the County Refugee Coordinators (CRCs).
Abdi came to the United States as a refugee from Somalia over 35 years ago. As a former refugee who recognizes how important equity, social and economic disparities, and inclusive practices are to the refugee experience, he acutely appreciates the diverse needs of the refugee and immigrant community and continually fosters relationships with organizations and communities that provide services to refugees and immigrants across the state. Abdi earned his Master of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix.
Mohammad Sediq Hazratzai, MD, MPH
Executive Director, CIRH/PHI
Mohammad Sediq Hazratzai, MD, MPH, is the Executive Director of the Center for Immigrant and Refugee Health (CIRH) and Sehat Initiative, both programs of the Public Health Institute (PHI). Dr. Sediq is a career public health professional and researcher with extensive experience focused on refugee and immigrant health. As a visiting professor at the University of California, Davis, Dr. Sediq teaches refugee health and comparative health systems. Dr. Sediq is also a credentialed Principal Investigator with PHI and an affiliate with the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) Institute for Global Health Sciences.
Dr. Sediq has worked with nonprofits, IOM (UN Migration Agency), and Afghanistan’s Ministry of Public Health in projects focused on the most vulnerable populations – refugees, migrants, Injecting Drug Users (IDUs), and HIV high-risk groups. Dr. Sediq is a board member with Upwardly Global, a leading nonprofit that helps immigrant, refugee, and asylee professionals rebuild their careers in the United States. Dr. Sediq speaks English, Dari/Farsi, and Pashto fluently and is an active community member in the Greater Sacramento region, helping diverse refugee groups. Dr. Sediq is a big fan of nature and national parks. If he is not in his home office, he spends most of his time with his two children.
Jasmin Kouhkan, MSW
Refugee Student Wellness Advisor, CIRH/PHI
Jasmin Kouhkan, MSW, brings nine years of experience supporting refugees, immigrants, and other forcibly displaced populations through direct services, clinical practice, and program development. She currently serves on the Health Support Team at the Center for Immigrant and Refugee Health, where she provides consultation and technical assistance to grantees working with diverse communities. Passionate about health equity, social justice, and immigrant rights, Jasmin is committed to advancing systems and practices that uplift and empower marginalized populations. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Health Education from San Francisco State University and her Master’s in Social Work from the University of California, Berkeley.
Sam Finn
Director of Newcomer Policy & Practice, Californians Together
Sam Finn is the Director of Newcomer Policy & Practice at Californians Together and executive director of the California Newcomer Network. He provides technical assistance to the California Newcomer Education and Wellbeing Program, facilitates practitioner learning networks for school staff, curates resources for schools, and conducts policy analysis.
A former elementary teacher and union representative, Sam has served as an organizer and advocate for newcomer education at local, state, and national levels. His research has been used by California state agencies and shared as a reference by the U.S. Department of Education.
Wagma Akbar
School Community Refugee Specialist, San Juan Unified School District
Wagma works as a School Community Refugee Specialist at the San Juan Unified School District. She holds a bachelor’s degree in technology and brings a strong commitment to supporting students and families.
She enjoys hiking and spending time in nature, finding balance and inspiration in the outdoors. Wagma’s goal is to continue working closely with newcomer students and their families, helping them navigate the challenges of the school system and ensuring they feel supported and empowered.
Harshita Neralla, BA
Research Associate II/Monitoring & Evaluation Associate II, CIRH/PHI
With a bachelor's degree in economics from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and extensive experience in journalism, Harshi's background reflects a strong commitment to advocating for marginalized communities. Her dedication to social justice, equity, and advocacy drives her interest in working with CIRH. As the Research Associate, she aims to leverage her diverse expertise to promote and enhance access to equitable education and healthcare. Harshita is a native Telugu speaker.
Hashim Wahdatyar
UCSD ARSI/AYM Program Management, University of California San Diego (UCSD)
Hashim Wahdatyar, currently working for the Afghan Refugee School Impact (ARSI) & Afghan Youth Mentoring (AYM) program since March 2023, has over 15 years of experience in international organizations. His previous roles include United Nations' Regional Program for Afghanistan and Neighboring Countries, managing programs for the Middle East and South Asia at the Center for Civilians in Conflict, and serving as Program Director at the Institute of Current World Affairs in Washington, DC. He holds two master’s degrees: one in International Cooperation and another in Political Science from George Mason University, Virginia, USA. Wahdatyar is currently pursuing a PhD in Politics and International Relations at the University of Leicester, UK.
Malalai Safi
Senior Community Wellness Specialist, International Rescue Committee
Malalai Safi is a dedicated Senior Community Wellness Specialist with over five years of experience at the International Rescue Committee (IRC). Holding a master’s degree in public policy and administration, along with multiple certifications in mental health and well-being, Malalai excels in advocating for the mental health and well-being of immigrant communities in Sacramento.
Throughout her tenure at IRC, Malalai has shown an unwavering commitment to serving immigrants and refugees, facilitating access to essential services and support systems. Her expertise in mental health has been crucial in fostering resilience and promoting holistic wellness among vulnerable populations.
Malalai’s contributions have significantly improved the lives of immigrants and refugees in Sacramento, embodying IRC’s mission of providing assistance and empowerment. Her compassionate advocacy and collaborative efforts continue to positively impact immigrant communities, exemplifying her dedication to humanitarian services.
Debbie Liza de Sagun, MPH, CHES®
Program Manager, CIRH/PHI
Debbie weaves her own lived experience as a daughter of immigrant parents with her 15-year professional journey in the public health and social welfare fields to champion social justice and empowerment causes for immigrant, refugee, and other marginalized communities. Prior to PHI, she worked on social impact initiatives across the nonprofit, academic, corporate, government, and consulting sectors, including volunteer and cultural exchange projects in South Africa, Namibia, Honduras, Cambodia, England, Germany, and Costa Rica. She brings her training in public health and evaluation to advance CIRH’s mission for health equity. Debbie received her Master of Public Health from the University of Southern California. She speaks conversational Tagalog.
Reba Meigs
Program Director, University of California San Diego (UCSD) – Center for Community Health (CCH)
Reba Meigs, MPA, has 20 years of public health experience at the state and county level, as well as in academic and non-profit settings. She has extensive strategic planning and implementation experience in federal and state funding models, evaluation frameworks, training and skill development methodologies, and community collaboration. Reba has designed, implemented, and evaluated large-scale community-based programs and has provided evidence-based capacity-building guidance for health policies, legislative bills, systems, and environmental change initiatives throughout the state of California. During her career, Reba has done work for the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), the Public Health Institute, the Santa Clara and Marin County Public Health departments, and UCSD Pediatrics. In these roles, she provided trainings to local health departments, evaluation support for the CDPH Rethink Your Drink Campaign and managed projects to improve organizational wellness policies, healthy retail initiatives, youth empowerment projects, and school wellness frameworks. Reba has presented at national and state conferences such as the California Association for Health, Physical Activity and Dance, and the American Public Health Association (APHA), and her evidence-based programs have been published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. She lives in Santa Rosa with her husband and two sons. She enjoys hiking, swimming, gardening, yoga, and spending time with her family. Reba attended San Diego State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology degree and a Master of Public Administration degree.
Student Panel Speakers
Polina Barabash
Student, Heritage Peaks
Polina Barabash is a student from Ukraine who was forced to move here because of the war in her country. She is a student at Heritage Peaks, and she is a Sophomore there. She has a lot of experience attending schools around the state and in other countries, so her panel will be about how the UA house helped her adapt to the school she attends now.
Shabnam Noorzai
Peer Specialist at Sacramento Youth Center, Junior at California State University, Sacramento
Shabnam Noorzai (born in 2006) is an Afghan-born youth leader and first-generation college student currently pursuing a degree in International Relations at California State University, Sacramento. A former member of the internationally recognized Afghan Girls Robotics Team, she has represented Afghanistan on global platforms, using technology and innovation to address real-world challenges while advocating for girls’ education in STEM. In 2021, Shabnam was forced to leave Afghanistan due to conflict at the age of 15. She continued her education in Qatar before relocating to the United States, where she was accepted into five universities. Her leadership and resilience have been recognized internationally—most notably when Teen Vogue named her to its “21 Under 21” list of young people shaping the future.
Currently, she serves as a Peer Specialist at the Sacramento Youth Center, where she mentors youth, provides emotional support, and promotes mental health awareness and life skills development
Closing Panelist Speakers
Lucy Bollinger
Program Specialist, Family and Community Engagement Department, Elk Grove Unified School District
Lucy Bollinger started in education as a teacher and a principal in Oakland for many years. She joined the Elk Grove Unified School District to lead the English Learner Services Department. Lucy currently supports EGUSD's Family and Community Engagement (FACE) Department as a program specialist overseeing family and staff academic and wellness support. Some of her professional passions include accelerating access for newcomer and refugee families, cultivating resource-rich community hubs at EGUSD's Newcomer Welcome Centers, advocating for multilingualism, elevating family affinity groups, and supporting Family Teacher Academic Teams. Lucy engages on the leadership team for the Sacramento Region Refugee Coalition and is a regional lead for Californians Together's English Learner Leadership and Legacy Initiative. When she's not at work, you can find her enjoying the outdoors with her dog, buying plants, going out to new restaurants with friends, or singing along at concerts.
Krystsina Shchelkunoa
Executive Director, Slavic Refugee and Immigrant Services Organization
Krystsina Shchelkunova is the Executive Director and founder of the Slavic Refugee and Immigrant Services Organization (SRISO) in San Diego. Originally from Eastern Europe, she leads programs that support refugee families through art, mental health, and community-based initiatives. With a deep understanding of displacement and recovery, Krystsina is dedicated to helping newcomers heal, connect, and thrive in their new home. Her leadership emphasizes compassion, inclusion, and resilience — empowering Ukrainian and other refugee communities to rebuild their lives with dignity and hope.
MC/Moderator
Iryna Osadcha, BA
Refugee Health Navigator/Health Educator, CIRH/PHI
Iryna is a dedicated advocate for equitable access to quality health education within the California system. Having personally experienced the challenges of displacement from Ukraine and arrived in the U.S. as a refugee, Iryna brings a distinctive perspective to her work with Ukrainian families, children, and youth. Her journey enhances her ability to bridge cultural gaps and facilitates a smoother transition for Ukrainian immigrants in California. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Cultural Studies and Sociology from National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy and Certificate Program in Public Health from Cornell University. Iryna is fluent in Ukrainian and Russian and is currently located in Los Angeles.