Leadership & Board

AYCO has been utilizing grass-roots, strengths-based approaches to engage community members from underrepresented, culturally specific populations since 2009. While AYCO does benefit from the involvement of several interns from Portland State University and staff members who aren’t from the African immigrant and refugee population, most of AYCO’s volunteer and staff are from the very population we serve. AYCO staff and volunteers have experienced first-hand the challenge of family members adjusting differently to their new lives in the U.S. Our constituents are welcomed into a culturally and linguistically familiar environment at AYCO, where dedicated and knowledgeable volunteers and staff address the many gaps and challenges to family adaptation, that too often leave new immigrants feeling overwhelmed and marginalized.

AYCO Leadership

Jamal Dar

Jamal Dar Founder & Executive Director

Askina

Askina Sharif Operation & Program Director

Nuradin Abdirahman

Abdirahman Abdirahman Senior Partnership Manager

Angelica

Angelica Liliana Director of Development & Finance

AYCO Board of Directors

Matthew Goldman

Matthew Goldman Board Chair

Nimo Ali

Nimo Ali Board Treasurer

Sunshine Dixon

Sunshine Dixon Board Secretary

Mahad Ahmed

Mahad Ahmed Community Outreach

Marshawna - AYCO Board

Marshawna Williams Board Member

Abubakar

Abubakar Ibrahim Board Member

Raife Neuman

Raife Neuman Legal Counsel