Spotlight July 2025

IIB would not be able to make WNY a better place for, and because of, immigrants and refugees were it not for our team, the community, and those we serve.

Behrooz Merhzad
Resettlement Program Manager 

Recently, Molina Healthcare recognized Behrooz Merhzad, IIB's Resettlement Program Manager, with the Molina Community Champion Award in recognition of his outstanding dedication and impact within the community, as well as his partnership with Molina's Senior Enroller, Said Ahmed. Pictured from left to right - Said Ahmed - Molina, Behrooz Mehrzad - IIB Program Manager, Ashley Paulazzo- IIB Assistant Director NAI.  

Since 2001, Behrooz has been a very involved member of the Afghan community and has excelled at providing thorough and passionate support to all 

 the communities we serve; he works diligently at establishing partnerships and facilitating connections.

As Behrooz dedicated his award to the team at IIB, we celebrate him and his contributions for the work he does.

Click here to learn more about how we help foreign-born people quickly and successfully become part of the community.

Jane Stoyle Welch
Volunteer

Many thanks to Jane Stoyle Welch, who decided to volunteer for IIB after she retired from the University at Buffalo School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.

Inspired after attending one of our Buffalo Without Borders events, she has provided an incredible amount of support over the last year through home setup assistance, participation in the Conversation Club and Employment Buddies, and attendance at community events.

She thinks having people of different backgrounds and cultures want to come here enrichers Buffalo. 

"They come from all different backgrounds, but all have in common that they are all eager to fit in and get their lives started after a pause while getting resettled," Jane says. "I've always thought they are very brave to bring their families from thousands of miles away to a place that they may never have even heard of and adjust to different climates, different cultures, and different languages to come here.

Aside from volunteering for IIB, she is an avid hiker and likes traveling internationally and domestically.

Click here to learn more about how you or your organization can volunteer and give back to the community.  

Semra Duran
Turkish and Kurdish Translator

Semra was born in Turkey. When her husband was awarded a PhD scholarship, she followed him to the US to support him in his educational journey. She has been living in America since 2020.

To learn English, she studied it at a prep school in Turkey and took English when she attended university. Although she studied chemical engineering, finding a remote job in that field proved challenging. Her language skills, however, enabled her to start working as a translator with IIB.

Outside of work, she enjoys swimming, tennis, pickleball, volleyball, biking, and badminton.

Click here to learn more about our expert language services.   

Jackie Cho
Employment Services Intern 

We want to thank Jackie for all of her help! She started her internship with us in June and has been a huge part of the team since her first day. She says she chose IIB because she is interested in nonprofit work and wants to help the community that she grew up in and loves. IIB aligns with her passions and pursuit of advocating for others.

Jackie is about to start her junior year at Cornell University, where she is studying industrial and labor relations. Since being with us, Jackie has stepped up and helped wherever needed, learning very quickly.

In her free time, Jackie loves reading historical fiction, knitting, and hiking around Buffalo.

Click here to learn more about how we can help augment your organization's workforce with highly motivated employees.  

Ciah Courtney
Legal Intern

Ciah is a third-year student at the University at Buffalo studying English language and literature and Spanish language and literature in an accelerated law program. With hopes for a career in international and immigration law, Ciah chose IIB for its emphasis on serving the immigrant community.

Ciah first came to IIB in 2024 as a Resettlement intern, where she put her Spanish language skills and rich knowledge of Buffalo to work with clients from all across the globe. This summer, she is assisting the Legal Department with documents, including client asylum applications and green card petitions; she is learning the practical application of immigration law, but also gaining compassion for the clients she works with.

Ciah is entering her final year of undergraduate studies in the fall of 2025 and looks forward to beginning law school in 2026.

Outside of IIB, Ciah works at the Buffalo Zoo, plays rugby for UB, and loves to read.

Click here if you want to intern with us!

Veronica Bargnesi
Employment Case Manager

We say farewell to Veronica Bargnesi, who is leaving our Employment Services team to join the Peace Corps!

She will spend the next two years living in a small town in El Salvador, working with teens and young adults to fulfill their full potential while sharing her knowledge of all the world has to offer.

IIB will miss Veronica! We wish her the best of luck in this journey and look forward to photos and future visits to tell us all about this amazing adventure.

Click here to learn more about opportunities working for IIB.      

Celebrate with IIB!

"The International Institute of Buffalo makes Western New York a better place for, and because of, immigrants and refugees."