management and administration
Ellen Smith, Executive Director
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Ellen Smith serves as the Executive Director for Keeping Our Promise, Inc. She works on educating audiences about the SIV program, grant writing, housing, fund-raising, and in-kind donation management. She has assisted over 1,000 SIV refugees and their families since 2014, and her passion for helping these families started with assisting one Army captain in Syracuse, NY gather donations for his interpreters.
The National Council of Jewish Women – Greater Rochester Section selected Ellen as the winner of the 2019 Hannah G. Solomon Humanitarian Award. and she was awarded the “Spirit of America” award by the Reserve Officers Assn. for starting this model program, and creating a welcoming community for those who served our country. |
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Ellen was previously a credentialed journalist for 29 years, with 37 top journalism awards including awards from the National Press Club, Society of Professional Journalists, the Investigative Reporters & Editors Inc., and the Edward R. Murrow Award.
Mubaraka Mohammadi, Community Program Director
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Mubaraka came to the United States in September 2023. She is a photographer, educator, and athlete originally from Daykundi, Afghanistan, passionate about capturing stories of change in her country. As a Hazara woman, she has always been driven to highlight the resilience of Afghan youth and athletes, showcasing a new face of Afghanistan—one that is moving forward, not backward. Since 2019, she has worked on photo series such as Skateboarding in Afghanistan and Skiing on the Slopes of Baba Mountain, focusing on people who inspire change in their communities. Her photography and athletic pursuits are fueled by a deep desire to document the strength and spirit of those shaping a brighter future for Afghanistan.
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She spent several years with Skateistan, a nonprofit empowering Afghan children through sport and education, where she held multiple roles—including Programs Officer, Programs Coordinator, and Sport & Class Educator. At Skateistan, she led the development and delivery of educational and sports programs for marginalized students in Afghanistan while also managing program logistics, coordinating with local partners, and ensuring compliance with organizational guidelines. She has extensive experience in creating and adapting educational content, managing teams, and monitoring program quality and impact. Additionally, she was responsible for the visual documentation of programs, capturing photographs and videos to promote initiatives and engage stakeholders.
Earlier in her career, she worked with organizations such as Ziviler Friedensdienst (GIZ) and BRAC, focusing on education and socio-cultural programs aimed at empowering vulnerable communities in conflict-affected regions. These experiences provided her with a strong foundation in program planning, teaching, and community engagement, as well as a deep understanding of working in challenging environments.
Mubaraka joins KOP to direct efforts within the resettled SIV community here in Rochester. Her support makes accessible resources and programming available, building a solid foundation for SIVs to thrive in their new lives.
Earlier in her career, she worked with organizations such as Ziviler Friedensdienst (GIZ) and BRAC, focusing on education and socio-cultural programs aimed at empowering vulnerable communities in conflict-affected regions. These experiences provided her with a strong foundation in program planning, teaching, and community engagement, as well as a deep understanding of working in challenging environments.
Mubaraka joins KOP to direct efforts within the resettled SIV community here in Rochester. Her support makes accessible resources and programming available, building a solid foundation for SIVs to thrive in their new lives.
Mahboobullah Amirzay, case manager
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Coming Soon!
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N. Khawaja, Operations manager
Khwaja, originally from Kunduz Province, Afghanistan, was raised and educated in Kabul. After completing his secondary education, he pursued higher studies in Law and Political Science, Economics, and Migration Studies. Throughout his academic journey, he developed a strong passion for writing and research, publishing numerous essays on Afghanistan’s judicial system and the global waves of migration. His work earned him multiple certifications since 2011.
Professionally, Khwaja has built a diverse career across sectors that demanded leadership, communication, and cross-cultural expertise. He began as an Interpreter with the U.S. Air Force through Mission Essential Personnel, where he played a vital role in bridging communication between the Afghan National Army (ANA) and Coalition Forces. Later, he contributed as a Security Escort and Interpreter with ICF Inc. during Afghanistan’s Health and Demographic Survey, ensuring both accurate interpretation and the safety of the survey teams in Kabul.
Expanding his career into management, Khwaja served as General Manager in several organizations. Most notably, he led an educational center, managing 30–35 employees and supporting nearly 2,000 students daily. In this role, he was instrumental in preparing educational materials, including designing a Diploma in English Language (DEL) teaching system, which continues to benefit students.
Recently, Khwaja resettled in the United States under the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program. Committed to service and community, he joined Keeping Our Promise (KOP) to support fellow Afghan allies who stood beside the U.S. during its mission in Afghanistan. With his background in education, management, interpretation, and community service, Khwaja continues to dedicate himself to building bridges across cultures and empowering others through knowledge and opportunity.
Professionally, Khwaja has built a diverse career across sectors that demanded leadership, communication, and cross-cultural expertise. He began as an Interpreter with the U.S. Air Force through Mission Essential Personnel, where he played a vital role in bridging communication between the Afghan National Army (ANA) and Coalition Forces. Later, he contributed as a Security Escort and Interpreter with ICF Inc. during Afghanistan’s Health and Demographic Survey, ensuring both accurate interpretation and the safety of the survey teams in Kabul.
Expanding his career into management, Khwaja served as General Manager in several organizations. Most notably, he led an educational center, managing 30–35 employees and supporting nearly 2,000 students daily. In this role, he was instrumental in preparing educational materials, including designing a Diploma in English Language (DEL) teaching system, which continues to benefit students.
Recently, Khwaja resettled in the United States under the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program. Committed to service and community, he joined Keeping Our Promise (KOP) to support fellow Afghan allies who stood beside the U.S. during its mission in Afghanistan. With his background in education, management, interpretation, and community service, Khwaja continues to dedicate himself to building bridges across cultures and empowering others through knowledge and opportunity.
Chandee searcy, Community & Volunteer Engagement
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Chandee Searcy began volunteering for Keeping Our Promise in 2019. She is KOP’s liaison with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has participated in many late night arrivals at the airport, been a part of a Caring Circle, and volunteers on the fundraising committee.
In 2021, Chandee transitioned to a part-time position with KOP focusing on community & volunteer engagement and administrative work. Chandee enjoys finding new places in nature to explore with her husband and four children, sneaking away to her basement to throw on her pottery wheel, and serves on the board of directors at Family Promise of Greater Rochester. |
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Jay Rowe, housing coordinator & Bookkeeper
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Jay has been heavily involved with local grassroots non-profits since 2012, first taking a strong interest in environmental causes.
They are the founder of Greenovation, long time partner to KOP, as well as Riverside Creative Collective. In 2015, Jay began working for Metro Justice as their part-time bookkeeper. In 2018 they co-founded the Rochester Ravens, a social club focused on merging the arts with community resiliency. Jay also sits on the Supervisory Committee of Genesee Co-op Federal Credit Union and is the Treasurer of the LD-17 Monroe County Democratic Committee. They're the proud parent of three amazing kids and a cat named Sadie. If they ever get spare time Jay also enjoys creating art, breathing new life into old junk and discarded furniture pieces. Jay took on the role of part-time Housing Coordinator and Bookkeeper in early 2025 and believes that Rochester is a much stronger, vibrant community thanks to our SIV neighbors. |
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