EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
LAURA YOUNGBERG

Ms. Youngberg joined IMAS in June 2014 to serve as Executive Director. With nearly twenty years’ experience in the non-profit field, she holds a master's degree in Divinity from the University of Chicago and a bachelor’s degree from Sarah Lawrence College. Prior to IMAS, Laura served at non-profit organizations, including Holy Family School, Health for Humanity, and Northwestern University. She can be emailed directly at Laura.Youngberg@iraqimutualaid.org.

CLIENT SERVICES MANAGER
OTHMAN AL ANI

Mr. Al Ani joined IMAS in May 2014 as Case Manager and Employment Specialist, and is now Client Services Manager. He obtained his bachelor's degree in Physics from Al-Mustansiriya University in Baghdad in 2006. In Iraq, Othman was a social worker for Norwegian Refugee Council, where he helped internally-displaced Iraqis to advocate for their rights and supplied them with any necessities. He received partial accreditation to provide immigration legal assistance from the Department of Justice/Bureau of Immigration in 2016. At IMAS, Othman runs the legal clinic for naturalization and green card application services, and assists with other case management activities such as benefits applications, travel loan payment, referrals, translation, and cultural orientation. He can be emailed directly at Othman.Alani@iraqimutualaid.org.

PROGRAM MANAGER
DAVID HELFAND 

Mr. Helfand volunteered as an intern with IMAS in 2013 and joined the staff in August 2014. He holds a master’s degree from the University of Chicago in both Middle Eastern Studies and Public Policy. His bachelor’s degree is from Colby College. He studied Arabic in Jordan and Israel. At IMAS, David is responsible for advising clients on the college application process, mentoring college students, and advising on professional and vocational training. He also manages the Middle Eastern Refugee Transition Assistance Program and works with the Executive Director on New Program Development and Financial Management. He can be emailed directly at David.Helfand@iraqimutualaid.org.

CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES SPECIALIST
SAMAR HINDI

Ms. Hindi joined IMAS as Child and Family Services Specialist in February 2018.  She has a passion for facilitating growth and healing through client advocacy, outreach, counseling, mentoring, and helping families navigate through transitioning from their home countries to the US.  Samar graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and minor in Middle Eastern Language and Culture from Indiana University in Bloomington. She is also a Nationally Certified Counselor and has completed her Master’s degree at Adler University in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.  With Samar’s roots in non-profit work, from her time at Indiana University, coupled with her counseling degree in Chicago, she aims to utilize all of her acquired skills to work with clients on their journey to help them live their best lives.  

BENEFITS CASE MANAGER
MUNA KOREL

Ms. Korel began as Client Support Assistant at IMAS in November 2017 and was quickly promoted to Benefits Case Manager in February 2018.  In her current role, she is responsible for assisting immigrants and refugees in accessing public benefits and services needed to ease their transition to life in the US.  She can be emailed directly at mkorel@iraqimutualaid.org. 

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT SPECIALIST
EKRAM ABDULLAH

Ms. Abdullah joined IMAS in March 2017 as a Middle Eastern Community Engagement Specialist. She is skilled and trained in leadership and family counseling, with several years of experience in women’s empowerment. She has worked with many non-profit organizations with emphases on community service and development both in Iraq and Chicago. She has a great passion for helping others in the community. She can be reached directly at EAbdullah@iraqimutualaid.org.

CLIENT SUPPORT SPECIALIST
BESHOUY BOTROS

Mr. Botros began as Client Support Assistant at IMAS in March 2018.  He is responsible for helping clients schedule case management appointments and make the reception area a welcoming space for all visitors. He also provides Case Management services for clients as needed.  He can be emailed directly at BBotros@iraqimutualaid.org

NNAAC LEADERSHIP FELLOW
SARA SAMI

As part of IMAS involvement with the National Network of Arab American Communities, Ms. Sami is serving as a Leadership Fellow in the IMAS offices for the 2017-18 school year. Currently a sophomore at Loyola University in Chicago, she is committed to learning about social justice and nonprofit organization in order to help other refugees like herself in the future. She can be emailed directly at fellow@iraqimutualaid.org.