Leadership

Jessica has over a decade of experience working with immigrants and refugees. Before joining HIAS Immigration & Citizenship as Director in 2015, Jessica worked with the Ethiopian Community Association of Chicago and Heartland Alliance’s International Children’s Center. She also spent time abroad supporting refugee and migrant youth on the Thai-Burmese border. Originally from Montreal, Jessica holds a Bachelor of Arts from McGill University and a Masters of Social Work from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She comes to this work inspired by the history of family members who were refugees resettled to Canada after the Holocaust.

As HIAS Outreach & Education Specialist, Elana is responsible for developing partnerships, as well as facilitating citizenship preparation programs, presentations on immigration matters, and volunteer efforts. Previously, Elana worked in JCFS Community Programs as the Jewish Chaplaincy Services Coordinator. Prior to joining JCFS, Elana was on the Board of National Council of Jewish Women Chicago North Shore and also was the Coordinator on their Federal Courts initiative doing outreach and advocacy. Elana obtained a J.D. Degree from Georgetown Law and a Master’s in Jewish Professional Studies from Spertus Institute. Elana lived in South Africa and England before immigrating to the United States.

Alla Spector has more than twenty-five years of experience serving the Russian-speaking community in Chicago, including at JCFS Chicago and HIAS, and CJE SeniorLife. Alla earned a Master of Music degree in the Former Soviet Union, where she was employed as a Musicologist, Educator and Administrator. This experience enabled her to develop an understanding of the needs of immigrants from the Former Soviet Union who resettled in the United States and to deliver services that are sensitive to their cultural needs. Alla immigrated to the United States from the Former Soviet Union in 1989 with the help of HIAS and JCFS. She is proud to be part of the team continuing to serve the Russian-speaking community.

Nonna has been working with HIAS Immigration & Citizenship for more than 17 years. Originally from Latvia, Nonna holds a Bachelor Degree in Children Education and Music from Daugavpils Pedagogical University and spent 11 years working at a music school. She arrived to Chicago in 1996, assisted by HIAS Immigration & Citizenship . Her first job in the United States was as Office Manager at EZRA Medical Transportation Comp, a welfare medical transportation program. Nonna is proud to be a part of a program that still assists people to resettle and start a new life in the United States.

Margarita Sandler is a Department of Justice Accredited Representative, working with HIAS Immigration & Citizenship since 1996. She specializes in immigration legal services and in helping Holocaust Survivors apply for reparations. During the height of HIAS Immigration & Citizenship’s refugee resettlement program, Margarita played a significant role in supporting refugees prior to arrival in the US. Born in Moscow, Margarita came to the United States in 1995. She holds a degree in Education.

Daniella Verde is a Department of Justice Accredited Representative, working with HIAS Immigration & Citizenship since 2010. Daniella is bilingual in Spanish and English and specializes in working with clients from Mexico and Central and South America. She has spent time volunteering in her church, including as a member of its Board of Directors, and served as a parent liaison for School District 62 in Des Plaines.