B1c Welcomes Five New Board Members!

Building One Community (B1C), the Center for Immigrant Opportunity, is pleased to announce the appointment of five new board members to its board of directors – Josephine Fulcher Anderson, Angelica D. Gorrio, Noah Lapine, Douglas R. Penn, and Terrie E. Wood.

Josephine Fulcher Anderson, a prominent community leader and dedicated advocate. With extensive experience as a church steward and Church School Superintendent, and a 36-year tenure at the Ferguson Library, she has shown a strong commitment to improving lives. As Supervisor for the Ferguson Library South End Branch and the Bookmobile, she has provided resources and support to underserved populations. Josephine's passion for mentoring and empowering immigrants will be an invaluable asset to our organization, contributing to our efforts to promote inclusion and equity.

Angelica D. Gorrio, an accomplished professional with a strong background in communications and community building, is bringing her valuable skills to B1C. As the current Communications Manager at Stamford Cradle to Career and most recently a Community Outreach & Inclusive Education Consultant with Hebrew Public Charter Schools, she has demonstrated expertise in organizing, planning, and creating impactful education advocacy initiatives. We are thrilled to have Angelica join our board, and we anticipate her positive impact on B1C's communication, marketing, events, and community engagement efforts.

Noah Lapine is the highly respected Executive Chairman of the Americas at adm Group. With his extensive expertise in organizational leadership and strategic transformation, he brings a wealth of knowledge that will greatly contribute to B1C's mission. Having a history of revitalizing organizations and uncovering untapped growth potential, he will play a crucial role in B1C’s ongoing pursuit to improve the lives of immigrants.

Douglas R. Penn, with extensive experience in Immigration and Naturalization Law, has been instrumental in supporting advocacy and legal immigration initiatives at B1C. Known for his expertise in immigration law, he frequently speaks at conferences at both state and national levels. Douglas's commitment to advocating for immigrant rights is evident through his active involvement in local and national immigration initiatives. His return as a former B1C board member underscores his dedication to B1C’s mission, making him an inspirational addition to the team.

Terrie E. Wood Throughout her impressive career, Terrie has demonstrated her exceptional leadership skills and has worked actively to improve the quality of life in her community. She recently served as state representative for Nowalk + Darien - - which included serving on the Human Services, Higher Education and Finance Committees as well as House Republican Policy Chairman - bringing a valuable perspective to the B1C board.

"We are extremely excited to extend a warm welcome to the remarkable individuals joining the Building One Community board," expressed Anka Badurina, PhD, Executive Director. "Their vital expertise and extensive background will play a pivotal role in B1C’s ongoing growth and progress to integrate all immigrants into our community. We eagerly anticipate collaborating with them to propel B1C to new heights."

"We also want to express our deep gratitude to our highly respected outgoing board members, including our former Board Chair, Jose Luis Zepeda, Aleksandre Troyb, Mary Maarbjerg, The Rev. Ted Pardoe, and Bruce Koe," stated Badurina. "Their unwavering dedication and exceptional leadership have been integral to our accomplishments. We extend our heartfelt best wishes for their future endeavors and sincerely appreciate their invaluable service to our organization. We are thrilled to welcome Eleanor Riemer as our new Board Chair. Eleanor served as our board secretary last year and has proven to be an exceptional leader for our organization.”

The new board members will begin their terms immediately and serve on the various board committees.

To learn more about B1C and its events, programs, and services, visit www.b1c.org or call 203.675.8585.