Maria Sol Varisco-Santini was appointed to become Iowa JFON’s next Executive Director. She took the reins on Monday November 13, 2017.
The Committee is thrilled that Sol has accepted this position. Committee Chair Frank Camp said, “After interviewing several candidates in our search for a new ED over 12 months, we believe Sol has the experience, passion and initiative that we were looking for and have needed for so long.”
She brings experience from another not-for-profit organization providing direct social services to multicultural populations. As the Program Director of the Hispanic Outreach and Refugee Resettlement Program, she gained extensive experience working with volunteer teams, handling budgets, statewide presentations and supervising up to twenty staff persons.
Sol’s experience includes the management and oversight of private, state and federal grants. She has a strong sense of empathy through her own immigration story and volunteer experience as a Board Member of LUNA (Latinas Unidas por un Nuevo Amanecer) as well as volunteering with Iowa JFON for many years. She demonstrated a capacity to assemble, mobilize, and inspire cross-functional teams in the design, deployment, and implementation of organizations’ strategies. She has leadership skills coordinating advocacy with multiple organizations to help immigrant communities and experience providing immigration 101 presentations.
Join us in welcoming Sol to our organization. We have exciting times ahead!
About Iowa Justice For Our Neighbors:
Iowa Justice For Our Neighbors is a non-for-profit organization, welcoming immigrants of all faiths into our churches and communities by providing free, high-quality immigration legal services, education, and advocacy. Iowa JFON has been serving clients in our communities since 1999. Established by the United Methodist Committee on Relief in 1999, Iowa JFON helps people from all over the world. Our services are available to all without regard to national origin, race, gender, or religion. Clinics are located in Cedar Rapids, Columbus Junction, Decorah, Des Moines, Ottumwa, Marshalltown and Storm Lake.
Your donation allows Iowa Justice For Our Neighbors to provide free immigration legal counsel to low-income refugees and immigrants. For more information and if you would like to donate please visit our website: http://www.iowajfon.org