Julie Gersten, Co-Founder and Director
Julie has over 15 years of experience in the non-profit sector building social change movements, including nine years at two human rights grantmaking foundations—American Jewish World Service and the New Israel Fund. She currently serves on the board of HIAS, a global non-profit organization that supports refugees. She holds a Certificate in Jewish Experiential Education from Yeshiva University, an MSc in Human Rights from the London School of Economics and a BA in Political Science from Vassar College. Her Masters dissertation examined the role of philanthropic foundations in advancing human rights.
As a tide of xenophobia spreads through our country and around the world, I believe that it is critical to work to create a welcoming environment for the tens of millions of people today in need of refuge. I hope that our efforts can inspire action to further our collective humanity.
Hussein Allidina, Co-Founder
Hussein is a Director at Ontario Teachers Pension Plan (OTPP), responsible for managing the plan’s investments in financial commodities. Prior to joining OTPP in 2013, he was Global Head of Commodities Research at Morgan Stanley. Hussein is a CFA Charterholder and graduated from the University of Western Ontario. He founded The Canadian-Muslim Vote in 2014, a group focused on bolstering Muslim civic engagement.
My mom and her family escaped Idi Amin’s Uganda and were welcomed in Canada as refugees in the late 1970s. While her journey was surely not without challenge, I dread to imagine the trials she would have had to contend with had she been a refugee today, and whether she would even have made it to Canada. Please join our efforts by spreading the word and making a donation with the aim of helping those less fortunate.
Michelle Brouhard, Co-Founder
Michelle is a partner at Yaupon Capital Management where she leads commodity research and strategy. Prior to starting Yaupon Capital Management, she traded oil and oil products at Trailstone group, served as a Managing Director at PointState Capital and was the global head of commodity quantitative fundamental analytics at Deutsche Bank. Michelle is a member at Redeemer Presbyterian Church in NYC. She serves on the board of Hope for New York and the National Leadership Council for World Vision. She is a graduate of Kansas State University.
In 1867 the British philosopher, John Stuart Mill, addressed the University of St. Andrews saying “Let not anyone pacify his conscience by the delusion that he can do no harm if he takes no part, and forms no opinion. Bad men need nothing more to compass their ends, than that good men should look on and do nothing”. These words have lingered in my heart as I have watched the oppressed flee from war ridden countries for years and stood by. Today, I am taking action. There are almost 60 million people displaced: 1 in every 122 people is now a refugee, internally displaced or seeking asylum. They need a voice. Join me in being that voice to raise awareness and money to aid in the crisis.
Greg Sharenow, Co-Founder
Greg is a managing director at PIMCO and a portfolio manager focusing on commodities and real assets. Prior to joining PIMCO in 2011, he was an energy trader and economist at Hess Energy Trading, Goldman Sachs, and DE Shaw. Greg is a graduate of Northwestern University and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.
As a grandchild of refugees, I understand firsthand how the arc of history is shaped by the response of world to the plight of the least fortunate. While history is full of different refugee episodes, the xenophobic and nativist tilt to political discourse has made the cost of inaction today simply too high. Please join us in our efforts by spreading the word and making a donation.