Team - Refugee Artisan Initiative

Beth

Interim CEO — Beth has been serving on non-profit boards for over 30 years. She is an Emeritus Board Member for Bellevue LifeSpring, which aims to break the cycle of poverty for children and provide them with the resources they need to reach stability. She traveled to Nepal and served as the former Board Chair for Read Global. Read Global serves more than 2.52 million people through 112 READ Centers in local communities in Bhutan, India and Nepal. READ Centers offer libraries, computer and internet access, training, health programs and services, programs in microcredit and women's empowerment, literacy, agricultural programs and more. She is also a former Board Director for BOMA Washington. Beth was named to the Puget Sound Business Journal's Power 100 Most Influential in both 2020 and 2021, and the PSBJ Women Who Lead. Beth is a retired Commercial Real Estate leader with over 35 years of diversified experience spanning both the East and West coasts. She served as the Executive Managing Director of Brokerage for the Seattle and Bellevue offices of Colliers and as Managing Director of Asset Services for CBRE. Previously in Boston, MA she was Vice President and Asset Manager with TA Associates Realty Responsible for a US based Institutional Real Estate Portfolio. She also led a team responsible for Fidelity Investments Corporate Real Estate portfolio across the US.

Tali

Director of Programs and Business Development— Tali joined RAI in 2023. An immigrant from France, she has always had a passion for economic development and immigrant empowerment. Tali has worked for over 30 years in the nonprofit sector. She moved to Seattle in 2009 and co-founded Washington’s Paramount Duty in 2015. Tali currently serves on the Seattle Venture Partners Board and holds an M.A. in Urban Policy and Planning from Tufts University. A parent of three, she has a passion for advocacy, policy and social justice.

Khadija

Workforce Development Program Manager — Khadija is a dedicated professional with over 9 years of experience in human rights, women rights, gender equality, and workforce development. Originally from Afghanistan, Khadija moved to the USA in 2024 and now leads workforce development initiatives at RAI, empowering refugees and immigrants through job training and economic opportunities. Holding a Bachelor’s degree in Economic Management, Khadija combines expertise in program management with a passion for creating sustainable, impactful programs. She is committed to fostering long-term success and community integration.

Fatima-Iram

Grants and Development Manager— Fatima-Iram is an immigrant from Pakistan who grew up in the Midwest and moved to the PNW in 2018. Her immigrant experience has shaped her life and drives her work. She seeks to serve the community in impactful ways. Reminded every day of the love, sacrifices, and hard work of her own family to thrive here financially, she understands how integral these services are to the livelihood of people and families. She has worked in nonprofits for over a decade since graduating from Michigan State University. Fatima-Iram is honored to connect with people and entities to ensure funds backing the very necessary work of RAI.

Shelley

Development Manager— Shelley is a non-profit professional with over a decade of experience in fundraising and communications. She is dedicated to serving great causes that make a difference, and working together with passionate community members to effect change is the cornerstone of her career. When she’s not hard at work for RAI, Shelley keeps herself busy as a Volunteer Fundraising Advisor for JJoy Foundation, a Board Member at Seattle Area Feline Rescue, and a volunteer for humanitarian projects around the globe. So far, Shelley has mixed concrete on four different continents and hopes to take her work boots to a new destination soon.

Leslie

Marketing and Communications Manager — Born in the U.S. with roots in the Philippines, Leslie leads marketing, communications, and brand strategy at RAI, showcasing the artisans’ journeys and creativity into stories that inspire and drive impact. She believes in the power of storytelling to connect communities and showcase mission-driven work. Outside of RAI, she’s a competitive bodybuilder and avid foodie, drawn to transformation in every form—from brand narratives to new recipes.

Tessa

Economic Mobility Manager— Tessa comes to RAI bringing the commitment to empowering women and fostering local economic growth. Originally from Kansas, Tessa holds a bachelor's degree from Emporia State University (ESU). Before joining RAI, Tessa worked in Seattle’s Lake City neighborhood, helping small businesses thrive and promoting community building through economic development. She is excited to continue serving this vibrant community—especially the RAI women who are building lives and businesses through RAI’s mission. Outside of work, she loves to sail, craft, cook, and spend time with loved ones.

Isabella

Production Manager— With a passion for design, Isabella came to Washington in 2016 from Taiwan, earning her AA in Apparel Design from Seattle Central College in 2019. She joined RAI in its early stages in 2020 working on projects like making masks for medical workers during COVID, and rejoined RAI in 2022 as a designer. In her free time she works on personal projects, and her outfits to work are often her own creations.

Mehnaz

Assistant Production Manager— Mehnaz is from Pakistan. She loves sewing and teaching the new artisans skills. She has learned a lot working here such as how to speak and work with others from different cultures. She speaks Pashto, Urdu, and English which she learned from working at RAI!

Baseerah

Assistant Production Manager — Baseerah learned to sew from her mom and brings experience in sewing, embroidery and design. Originally from Afghanistan, Baseerah has lived in Seattle since 2003. She is founder of Asiya Design Art, featuring her beautiful designs in home goods and specialty items. She loves to cook and shares this passion with the staff in bringing tea and baked goods.

Noi

Business Coordinator— Noi immigrated to the US from Vietnam, and one of Noi's friends suggested she should attend a RAI recruiting event at the Children's Home Society of Washington. Shortly after, she became a RAI Artisan and began utilizing her sewing skills. Noi also designs beautiful jewelry, a skill she learned from RAI. In 2021, Noi joined the staff as a sewing associate, sharing her talents in a variety of ways. Noi is a wonderful cook and loves to read. She also enjoys sewing and designing clothes for her kids in her free time.

Farida

Sewing Production Associate

Kelsi

Admin Associate — Kelsi is a long-time Seattle resident, but felt called to begin working in the nonprofit sector when a wildfire devastated her hometown of Paradise, CA. She is passionate about human and animal rights, small business, and community connection and looks forward to using her professional skills to help serve RAI's mission with compassion. In her free time, Kelsi enjoys crafting, spending time with her husband and dogs, and befriending the neighborhood crows.

The Team at RAI The Team at RAI