Meet Our Staff
Kathryn Winogura - Co-Director
Kathryn has been working with the East Bay refugee and immigrant community for 30 years, and closely with the Afghan newcomer community since 2001. She worked with JFCS East Bay as Director of Volunteer Services for 23 years. She brings knowledge of the refugee resettlement process, and has also run programs to serve asylum-seekers and asylees from many parts of the world, including LGBTQ newcomers. She has led community engagement programs that have supported the resettlement process and has enabled the wider community to take part in welcoming newcomers. She recently worked as Development Director with CERI. She is passionate about fostering the welcoming community for newcomers, and boosting support for the extensive work BRFN does to empower newcomer clients.
Kathryn has been working with the East Bay refugee and immigrant community for 30 years, and closely with the Afghan newcomer community since 2001. She worked with JFCS East Bay as Director of Volunteer Services for 23 years. She brings knowledge of the refugee resettlement process, and has also run programs to serve asylum-seekers and asylees from many parts of the world, including LGBTQ newcomers. She has led community engagement programs that have supported the resettlement process and has enabled the wider community to take part in welcoming newcomers. She recently worked as Development Director with CERI. She is passionate about fostering the welcoming community for newcomers, and boosting support for the extensive work BRFN does to empower newcomer clients.
Hermon Kifleyesus - Co-Director. Languages: Tigrinya (Eritrean), English
Hermon was born and raised in Eritrea and immigrated to the U.S. in 2018, settling in the Bay Area. With over a decade of experience in diverse roles, she previously held a supervisory position at a major bank in Eritrea and worked as an accountant for a construction company in Kenya before moving to the U.S. Hermon's journey with BRFN began as a client, giving her firsthand insight into the challenges faced by newly arrived immigrants. In 2019, she joined BRFN as a social adjustment case manager, dedicating herself to supporting Eritrean newcomers on their path to stability. Expanding her impact, she began working with the Afghan community and programming in August 2021. An expert in navigating complex systems, she has guided countless asylees, refugees, and immigrants toward self-sufficiency. Driven by a deep passion for community service and empowerment, she remains dedicated to giving back. Hermon holds a BA in Finance.
Hermon was born and raised in Eritrea and immigrated to the U.S. in 2018, settling in the Bay Area. With over a decade of experience in diverse roles, she previously held a supervisory position at a major bank in Eritrea and worked as an accountant for a construction company in Kenya before moving to the U.S. Hermon's journey with BRFN began as a client, giving her firsthand insight into the challenges faced by newly arrived immigrants. In 2019, she joined BRFN as a social adjustment case manager, dedicating herself to supporting Eritrean newcomers on their path to stability. Expanding her impact, she began working with the Afghan community and programming in August 2021. An expert in navigating complex systems, she has guided countless asylees, refugees, and immigrants toward self-sufficiency. Driven by a deep passion for community service and empowerment, she remains dedicated to giving back. Hermon holds a BA in Finance.
Freweini Tekle (formerly Woldeghiorghis) - Social Integration Program Manager and Case Manager. Languages: Tigrinya, Amharic (Ethiopian), English
Freweini was born in Asmara, Eritrea, entered the U.S. in 2013 as an asylum seeker and moved to the Bay Area in 2015. Freweini has an IT background and has previously worked in IT and in ride share companies. Her experience as a case manager started in Eritrea where she helped integrate internally displaced people due to the Ethiopian-Eritrean war. Freweini joined BRFN in September of 2019 as a social adjustment case manager and was promoted in Oct 2021 to program manager/case manager as she is now responsible for various administrative and management tasks and for supervising new case managers. Freweini is passionate about helping people during their difficult times and making positive contributions to society.
Hassam Gabar - Social Integration Case Manager. Languages: Pashto, Dari, Urdu, English
Hassam Gabar was born in Afghanistan and has eight years of professional experience in operations and administration working with different USAID projects. He also has community experience as a volunteer. Hassam moved to the U.S. in October 2017 as an SIV holder. After arriving, he continued his volunteer work with the Afghan community. Hassam joined BRFN in Sept 2021 as a case manager and works primarily with Afghan newcomers to connect them with local resources and provide assistance. Working at BRFN allows him to provide support for newly arrived refugees in order to help them adjust to a new society. Hassam has a Master's degree in Commerce and Business administration.
Hassam Gabar was born in Afghanistan and has eight years of professional experience in operations and administration working with different USAID projects. He also has community experience as a volunteer. Hassam moved to the U.S. in October 2017 as an SIV holder. After arriving, he continued his volunteer work with the Afghan community. Hassam joined BRFN in Sept 2021 as a case manager and works primarily with Afghan newcomers to connect them with local resources and provide assistance. Working at BRFN allows him to provide support for newly arrived refugees in order to help them adjust to a new society. Hassam has a Master's degree in Commerce and Business administration.
Dawit Habtemichael - Social Integration Case Manager. Languages: Tigrinya, Amharic, English
Dawit was born and raised in Eritrea. He holds a BA in Mathematics from Asmara University in Eritrea and worked as a teacher, accountant and company manager there. Dawit came to the US in 2021 to settle in the Bay Area. He joined BRFN in Nov 2021 and loves to work with refugees, asylees, immigrants and with newcomers as he was once a refugee in Ethiopia. In his free time, Dawit loves to spend time with his family and to read.
Homa Habibullah - Social Integration Case Manager
Homa was born in Afghanistan and came to the U.S. in 2021 as a Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holder. She has worked with non-profit organizations for the past 13 years in various roles, including as a program analyst at the United Nations Populations Fund (UNFP) where she managed a project in 26 provinces of Afghanistan focusing on combating violence against women and girls. Homa joined BRFN in March 2023 as a case manager and views her role as a dream come true where she can directly work with newcomers and support them to integrate into their communities. Homa has always believed that everyone should have equal opportunities, regardless of their social background. She finds her work to be very rewarding and is grateful for the opportunity to have a positive impact on the lives of newcomers. Homa holds a Bachelor degree in Business Administration from Italy.
Homa was born in Afghanistan and came to the U.S. in 2021 as a Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holder. She has worked with non-profit organizations for the past 13 years in various roles, including as a program analyst at the United Nations Populations Fund (UNFP) where she managed a project in 26 provinces of Afghanistan focusing on combating violence against women and girls. Homa joined BRFN in March 2023 as a case manager and views her role as a dream come true where she can directly work with newcomers and support them to integrate into their communities. Homa has always believed that everyone should have equal opportunities, regardless of their social background. She finds her work to be very rewarding and is grateful for the opportunity to have a positive impact on the lives of newcomers. Homa holds a Bachelor degree in Business Administration from Italy.
Faisal Esmaty - Social Integration Case Manager
Faisal was born in Afghanistan and moved to the U.S. in 2017. He has worked as a Sales and Marketing Executive in multinational companies which has allowed him to develop a diverse skill set in customer service, management, and social media. As an immigrant, Faisal understands the challenges of newcomers and actively volunteers and engages with the Afghan community, offering vital and needed support. Faisal joined BRFN in March 2023 as a case manager where he leverages his personal experiences, linguistic skills and expertise to assist Afghan newcomers, providing them with guidance and resources for successful integration into their new society. His commitment to help others, coupled with his multilingual abilities, showcases his unwavering compassion and dedication to making a positive difference in the lives of those he serves. Faisal holds two Master's degrees - one in Business Administration from Kardan University in Kabul, and a second in Communication from California State University, East Bay.
Faisal was born in Afghanistan and moved to the U.S. in 2017. He has worked as a Sales and Marketing Executive in multinational companies which has allowed him to develop a diverse skill set in customer service, management, and social media. As an immigrant, Faisal understands the challenges of newcomers and actively volunteers and engages with the Afghan community, offering vital and needed support. Faisal joined BRFN in March 2023 as a case manager where he leverages his personal experiences, linguistic skills and expertise to assist Afghan newcomers, providing them with guidance and resources for successful integration into their new society. His commitment to help others, coupled with his multilingual abilities, showcases his unwavering compassion and dedication to making a positive difference in the lives of those he serves. Faisal holds two Master's degrees - one in Business Administration from Kardan University in Kabul, and a second in Communication from California State University, East Bay.