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
THAER AL-HASNAWI

Mr. Al-Hasnawi joined IMAS in July 2018 as a Child & Family Services Specialist. He came to the US as refugee with his family on Aug 01, 2015. He received a Bachelor degree in Electronics & Communication Engineering from Baghdad University in 1996. Mr. Al-Hasnawi worked with International Humanitarian Organizations in Baghdad beginning in 2003 as procurement & logistic manager.  Mr. Al-Hasnawi's passion is to help people as much as possible. He has worked for one year with Catholic Charities Organization as a Case Aid & Arabic interpreter to help the Arabic speaking refugees to resettle in Chicago, enrolling their kids in schools, issuing them the necessary documentations and put them on track.  He is looking forward to continue helping the families through IMAS.  He can be emailed directly at talhasnawi@iraqimutualaid.org. 

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 HANNA

Ms. Hanna 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 EHanna@iraqimutualaid.org.

CLIENT SUPPORT SPECIALIST
NINWEH ISHAYA

Ninweh Ishaya joined IMAS as a Client Services Assistant in July 2018. She is a refugee from Kirkuk, Iraq and arrived in the U.S in 2016. Ninweh is currently a student at Oakton Community College. She is seeking a management degree in business. Ninweh wants to support our Middle Eastern community as they overcome the challenges of life in Chicago. She can be reached directly at nishaya@iraqimutualaid.org.