ILAP News & Welcomes/Farewells
ILAP News
Francine Ngabu became a U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Accredited Representative in February, allowing her to represent clients before USCIS.
Melissa Brennan and Alice Kopij were promoted to Co-Legal Directors and Lisa Parisio became ILAP’s Policy Director. Danny Muller was promoted to Senior Information Systems and Operations Specialist and Catherine Lindgren transitioned from her role as Afghanistan Project Attorney to Senior Project Attorney on the Asylum Assistance and Legal Orientation Project (AALOP). Congratulations to all!
BIENVenUE! Wilkommen, Welcome!
Semhar Yehdego
ILAP was thrilled to welcome Semhar Yehdego as Portland’s office Legal Program Assistant. A recent graduate of American University, Semhar worked in marketing at a software startup before joining ILAP’s team. Semhar's family moved to Portland from Eritrea in the 90s after fleeing the civil war and their story has strengthened her passion for ILAP’s work. Semhar is proficient in Spanish and Tigrinya.
Beatriz Harley
We welcomed Beatriz Harley into the role of Development Associate. Beatriz (Bea) brings a wealth of experience from her tenure at A Better Chance’s (ABC) Winchester, MA Chapter and a background in press, community outreach, marketing, and social media in the music industry. She is the daughter of a Cuban refugee and a Venezuelan immigrant and is fluent in Spanish.
Sarah Scola, SHRM-CP
ILAP was excited to welcome Sarah Scola, SHRM-CP as the organization’s new Human Resources and Operations Director this spring. Sarah worked previously as the Director of Human Resources and Operations at Cheverus, a Jesuit high school in Portland. She is a graduate of the University of Maine School of Law and has extensive volunteer and work experience in the legal field.
Lourdes Trujillo
This spring ILAP also welcomed Lourdes Trujillo as Rural Community Liaison. Lourdes graduated as a pharmacist from the Central University of Venezuela and worked as a Community Development Worker for several years in Venezuela before moving to the U.S. Once in Maine, Lourdes found work on a dairy farm, where she became very involved with the rural community in this state. Lourdes is fluent in Spanish.
Amy Hagemeier
We are thrilled to welcome Amy Hagemeier to ILAP’s Board of Directors. Amy works in learning & development at the International Rescue Committee. Previously, she dedicated eight years to providing services and advocacy for seasonal and migrant farmworkers in Western New York and Maine. Amy is an artist and most recently illustrated and designed outreach posters for the Worker Justice Center of New York.
Erin Reed
We are also excited to welcome Erin Reed to our Board. Erin is the Executive Director of the Trinity Jubilee Center, a secular community center in Lewiston. Erin began volunteering there in 2004 and became the director in 2014. The Center provides comprehensive support to hundreds of immigrant families and Erin works closely with ILAP's Lewiston office. She is a graduate of Bates College.
Farewell & Well Wishes
Our deepest appreciation goes out to Diane Mutagoma, Blanca Santiago, and Caroline Teschke, who stepped off our Board of Directors in December after years of dedicated service. ILAP is a thriving and more resilient organization because of your leadership!
ILAP also bid farewell to long-time staff member Barbara Taylor this spring. Read Legal Program Highlights for more.
Hayden welcomes guests to ILAP’s CeleSoirée in 2012.
Remembering Hayden Anderson
ILAP mourns the loss of Hayden Anderson, who died this spring after a year-long battle with colon cancer. Hayden served as ILAP’s Development Director and Interim Executive Director from 2009-2012, leading the organization through a time of transition and leaving an enduring legacy that continues today.
“He took the first steps of moving ILAP out of the start-up phase and into the organization it is today,” remembers Sue Roche. “For those who knew him, you know what a great loss this is for all of us. His wit, humor, and understated intelligence were unmatched.”
Hayden touched the lives of so many in our community and we extend our heartfelt condolences to his loved ones, friends, and all who knew him.
Thank you, Hayden, for your thoughtfulness, wit, and always making everyone and everything around you better.