Board Members
Our Board is comprised of a group of dynamic and accomplished women who are deeply committed to our organization's mission and values. They bring a wide range of expertise from diverse industries, and they work collaboratively to provide strategic direction and oversight to our organization. Their dedication and leadership are essential to our continued success in serving the community.
Board of Directors
Zuhal Yilmaz, Ph.D.
President of the Board
Zuhal Yilmaz, Ph.D., is voluntary board director at Human Migration Institute. Her current position is program evaluation lead in Gordon A. Cain Center for STEM Literacy at the Louisiana State University. She has been actively researching and teaching in the STEM field for over 12 years with a strong emphasis on students' learning, supporting teachers' professional growth, and promoting diversity and inclusion, and equity. Prior to her curret position, she served as professor of mathematics education and middle school mathematics teacher in different countries such as Turkey, USA and Cyprus. She holds a MS in Mathematics Education from North Carolina State University and Ph.D. from Middle East Technical University. Dr. Yilmaz also actively works to promote inclusive education. She served as a trainer in a project supported by UNICEF to train school administrators about inclusive education in Turkey. She is also advocating for international mathematics educator’s voices in the USA by serving as a lead for AMTE- International Mathematics Educators Community Circle. In addition to her professional identity, she is a traveler and nature explorer.
Selin Yildiz Nielsen
Treasurer
Dr. Selin Yildiz Nielsen, serves as a board member and strategic leader at the Human Migration Institute (HMI). As the leading figure of HMI, she brings a wealth of experience and expertise to guide the organization's vision. Dr. Nielsen's strategic wisdom is evident in her role overseeing local and international operations, directing the growth of HMI, and leading new initiatives.
Her impactful leadership is instrumental in shaping HMI's trajectory, emphasizing educational support for refugees as showcased in numerous proposals. Dr. Nielsen's commitment to refugee education, exemplified by her UN addresses, and numerous scholarships for refugee women and girls, aligns with her role as a board member, ensuring HMI's strategic initiatives resonate globally. Under her guidance, HMI continues to be at the forefront of addressing the complex challenges faced by displaced populations, reflecting her enduring commitment to humanitarian causes.
Hadley Bajramovic
Secretary of the Board
Hadley Bajramovic is the founder and CEO of Hadley Bajramovic Immigration Law Offices, established in 2009. A summa cum laude graduate of the University of Memphis with a BA in political science, Hadley earned her Juris Doctorate with honors from the University of Memphis and is licensed to practice law by the Supreme Court of Tennessee. She is an established leader in the field of immigration serving the local and international immigrant community since 2006. In addition to leading the firm Hadley represented the Consulate of Mexico in San Bernardino for three years and currently represents the Consulate of Guatemala in San Bernardino. Hadley has been recognized for her work by notable and respected elected officials including California Congressman Mark Takano and California Assembly member Eloise Reyes.
Hadley currently also serves as Vice President of The Wyle Center for Children, Youth, and Families, serving Riverside and San Bernardino counties. Hadley is also a founding board member of the nonprofit VIA Immigration Advocacy Project which serves undocumented minors in Southern California
Ravdanur Cuma
Board Member
Ravdanur Cuma works to improve the humanitarian conditions of refugees, asylum seekers and displaced persons to internationally acceptable living standards. In the organization that value great importance to education, career and future expectations are almost completely associated with education. Ravdanur believes that many people can be successful by education. For this reason, foundation, creates projects and conducts training workshops aiming refugee children's education in Turkey. In addition to education, Ravdanur informs families and carries out projects to prevent early marriage. Transparency, accountability and sustainability are the core values of all projects Ravdanur designed, implemented and pursued.
Amina Sadat
Board Member
Amena Sadat's remarkable journey from Afghanistan to her current role as a doctoral student and respected board member at HMI is characterized by resilience, determination, and a commitment to higher education.
As a board member, Amena symbolizes dedication to educational pursuits. Graduating from the University of Peshawar with a degree in political science and law, she overcame familial resistance and financial hurdles through securing scholarships and fellowships.
In 2021, amidst the crisis in Afghanistan, Amena played an essential role in evacuating dozens of individuals, demonstrating effective leadership during a chaotic period. Her arrival in the United States marked a new chapter, with enrollment at UC Riverside as a doctoral student in political science.
Beyond her academic achievements, Amena's role as a board member reflects her commitment to contributing to the displaced community, particularly through her involvement in strategic planning for educational programs. Her journey from refugee camps to the boardroom exemplifies the transformative power of education and resilience.
Looking ahead, Amena aspires to utilize her education to take on causes such as promoting women's rights in Afghanistan and providing scholarships for Afghan women. Her presence on the board at HMI serves as a testament to the belief that education can transcend adversity to make a lasting impact on the world.
Board of Advisors
Ilge Karancak-Splane
Ilge Karancak-Splane serves as the Treasurer and was born in Istanbul, Turkey. After receiving a BA degree in Accounting and International Finance, she moved to California. Since 1999, Ilge has been working at MediaLocate, Inc., a translation & localization company in Pacific Grove, CA as the Chief Financial Officer and the Human Resources Officer.
Catinca Slavu
Catinca Slavu is an independent consultant with over 15 years of experience in international affairs with a focus on governance and political processes in transitional, conflict and post-conflict contexts (particularly electoral and constitutional processes). She has worked with the EU, OSCE and UN as well as with bilateral donors and INGOs in positions ranging from strategic leadership of complex operations to policy development and advisory assistance. She has formulated and evaluated democratization and peace/state-building programs and has published a number of articles on policy design for peace support and political and electoral processes. Social inclusion and gender equality have been a constant personal commitment underpinning her entire professional portfolio.
Carla Lidner, D.D.S.
Dr. Carla Lidner is a dentist, Fellow of the American College of Dentists (FACD), and Vice Chair of the Orange County Dental Society, Dental Health Foundation. She also chairs the board of the Child Abuse Prevention Council for Riverside County (HOPE Collaborative) and sits on Loma Linda University’s Women’s Health Advisory Board.
Rabbi Suzanne Singer
Rabbi Suzanne Singer grew up in New York City and attended the Lycée Francais de New York from elementary through high school. She holds three Masters Degrees: a Masters of Arts in Hebrew Letters and a Masters of Arts in Judaic Studies from Hebrew Union College (HUC); and a Masters in Journalism from the University of California, Berkeley. She also co-created and produced a national preschool series, The Puzzle Place, designed to help children respect and appreciate diversity. Rabbi Suzanne volunteers in her free time working with refugees locally.
Shafi Khan
Mr. Abdul Shafi Khan Faizi is an experienced staff member of the United Nations. He has served on different positions inside Afghanistan, New York and UN City Copenhagen Denmark from joining the United Nations in March 2003.
Mr. Shafi Khan has completed his Bachelors degree in Political Science and Masters degree in Computer Science in 2002. He has extensive knowledge about Afghanistan, different processes and transitions during the last 20 years In Afghanistan and also supported United Nations (UNAMA) leadership in understanding the ground realities in Afghanistan and the peace process in Qatar Doha, till August 2021.
Mr Shafi Khan has strong backgrounds in Humanitarian activities, Refugees, Education, capacity building, Political processes, Security and Technology.