2024 Board of Directors
LTC Andraé evans - Board Chair
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Lieutenant Colonel Andraé Evans is retired from military service after serving 35 years in the US Army. He served in Iraq, as well as completed multiple tours in Afghanistan during his distinguished career. Andraé sponsored two of his personal interpreters to come to the United States and is awaiting the arrival of others. He routinely helps and supports refugees who are in the United States and has a long history of community engagement serving on numerous community boards, including serving as President of his local Kiwanis Club and working to help veterans through mentorship as a Financial Counselor with the Veteran’s Outreach Center. LTC Evans has been married to his wife Kristin for over 28 years, and they have two amazing children together.
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JILL BASZCZYNSKI, LMSW - SECRETARY
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Jill Baszczynski, LMSW, serves as the Keeping Our Promise board secretary as well as family adviser. She is a Licensed Master of Social Work and works for the Unified Court System, New York State Child Welfare Court Improvement Project. In her position she is involved with strategic planning to improve the foster care system. Prior to her current employment, Jill served as a caseworker in Buffalo, NY.
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Amanda Ganguly - TREASURER
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Amanda Ganguly, a seasoned Program Manager specializing in health equity at Excellus BCBS, brings her wealth of expertise to KOP as board treasurer. With a background in international and global studies and an MBA in Project Management, Amanda is deeply passionate about refugee resettlement. Her commitment to community service is evident through her volunteer work with KOP, where she has served as a caring circle volunteer. She has also advocated for Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) resettlement through letter-writing campaigns to local congressional leaders. Amanda recently graduated from the United Way's Emerging Leaders Development Program, equipping her with the skills needed to serve effectively on community boards.
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2024 Board members
Tom rusling
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Tom Rusling is a philanthropically minded individual who enjoys raising money for worthy causes including Keeping Our Promise. He is an integral part of KOP's fundraising efforts. Tom, retired since 2011, is a Yale graduate with an Economics degree and successfully rose through the ranks of Howe and Rusling, Inc., Investment Management, where he became president for 29 years. Tom has been married for 57 years and enjoys spending time with his three wonderful children, their spouses and his five grandchildren. Tom's interests are varied and include: choir director at three churches; highly ranked amateur tennis player; Dir. of Rochester Voice Squad; Bridge Life Master; gardener; and collector of wines.
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Javayd Samadie
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Javayd Samadie was the second SIV assisted in Rochester serves as the cultural advisor for Keeping Our Promise Javayd has watched the SIV community grow, and is helping to formulate the best practices for taking care of newly-arrived SIV refugee families. He is on-call any time we have questions, or need translation assistance. He has taken on the role of helping with insurance for our Wheels for Work program, and also offering job search training advice. Javayd served the U.S. mission in Afghanistan for six years. He has a degree in Business Administration and a Masters Degree in Governance and Public Policy from the University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK, and has done work for the United Nations. |
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Nick Stefanovic
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Nick Stefanovic was appointed January 2018 to the office of Director for the Monroe County Veterans Service Agency and continues to servce in that capacity under County Executive Adam Bello. Nick served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 2002-2006 doing multiple combat deployements during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom and is a disabled combat Veteran. He struggled during his transition home finding a way out through non-traditional means like Veterans Treatment Court in Rochester and other "outside the box" treatments and programs. Nick became a substance abuse counselor earning his bachelor's degree in substance abuse counseling and then moved in to administration earning his master's degree in public administration, both at SUNY Brockport. He has presented at all levels of government from local up to the White House. Nick has served on multiple boards and councils focusing on Veterans, at-risk incarcerated populations, addiction, and individuals experiencing homelessness.
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ABDULLAH DINDOST
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Abdullah completed his schooling in Kabul, and worked with the U.S. army in Bagram for a time, and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration for 12 years as a Defect Manager and translator.
With the help of KOP, he resettled to Rochester in 2016 with his family, and has been working at Baywinde for 8 years as a Manager. Abdullah is a leader among the Afghan SIV community, and often responds to requests for volunteer support including as translator. We are honored to have Abdullah on our board of directors. |
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MIRWAIS Nazari
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Mirwais completed a bachelor's degree in business administration and worked with Dyncorp International as an Administrative Manager in Kabul Afghanistan.
Since he resettled to the United States in 2016 with the help of Keeping Our Promise, Mirwais has been a valuable volunteer and now serves as an SIV consultant on the board. Mirwais is an interpreter with several agencies and companies in the Rochester area including school districts, hospitals, courts and special events. He recently began a 1.5 year certification program with University of Massachusetts, and plans to continue on for a master's degree in interpreting and translation at UMass or NYU. His lobbies include playing music and singing for communities and going on walks with friends. |
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Zainab Hussaini
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Born a refugee in the Islamic Republic of Iran, Zainab Hussaini understands the challenges of limited opportunities. However, she didn't let her circumstances hinder her participation and enjoyment of sports. Through determination and perseverance, she built a remarkable career as a runner, becoming the first Afghan to complete an ultramarathon in her country's history.
Her struggles fueled her passion for helping other women and refugees enjoy sports, eventually leading her to become the Afghanistan Country Director for Skateistan, a non-profit organization. Alongside her athletic achievements, she studied Political Science and International Relations, further equipping her to make a positive impact. Skateistan empowers children through skateboarding and education in underprivileged communities around the world. In her role, Zainab helps the next generation in Afghanistan stay in school while sports are not currently a priority. |
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SEAN KELLAS
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Sean Kellas served in the U.S. Army from 2020-2023, being stationed in South Korea and Fort Bliss, Texas. Sean took part in Operation Allies Welcome where he worked at Dona Ana Refugee Camp from Aug - Dec 2021. He was one of the first people many refugees from Afghanistan saw coming off the plane, testing them for Covid and welcoming them to the U.S. Now Sean helps KOP with their fundraising and event planning efforts, as well as trying to build the relationship between Special Immigrant Visas holders (SIVs) and the local Veteran Community. Born and raised in Monroe County, Sean received a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science from SUNY Brockport. He later received an Associate's Degree in Intelligence Studies while enlisted in the U.S. Army. Sean currently works as a Facility Security Officer at Metrea Advanced Signals in Victor, NY.
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MIKE DURFEE
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Mike Durfee is the Executive Director of The People's Pantry and has a background in working to address food insecurity and community health in Rochester. He studied History and Economics at SUNY Cortland and has worked in non profit, legal and government fields. Through his current non profit work, Mike supports newly settled refugees coming from many regions across the world by providing food, household goods, resources for medical insurance, and employment services. His hobbies include spending time in nature, hiking, fishing, and cooking.
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