The International Institute of New England will host its 2026 WILLOW Fund Breakfast Panel, an engaging morning event focused on advancing support for refugee and immigrant women. The program will explore three key areas shaping women’s resettlement experiences: access to education, pathways to economic opportunity and well-being, and the systemic barriers that often limit progress in these areas, along with the solutions and programs designed to address them. Panelists will share firsthand perspectives on the challenges and opportunities newly arriving women face, highlighting efforts to expand access to health, safety, and employment resources.
Panelists include:
- Ana Hebra Flaster, Author of “Property of the Revolution: From a Cuban Barrio to a New Hampshire Mill Town”
- Yves Salomon-Fernández, President, Urban College of Boston
- Mariana Siqueira, Talent Acquisition Lead, Triumvirate Environmental
- Alexandra (Xan) Weber, SVP and Chief Advancement Officer, International Institute of New England
The event will also feature a compelling Suitcase Stories® performance by a young Afghan refugee, offering a personal account of migration and resilience through IINE’s storytelling program, which elevates lived experiences of refugee and immigrant communities.