Staff
Our dynamic team of professionals brings extensive experience in
the field of refugee employment. Our staff consultants provide both
a front line and national perspective when addressing
employment-related issues with partners. We enjoy working with
diverse groups and always tailor our services accordingly. Contact a
staff member today to learn how we can support you.
Jonathan Lucus National Coordinator and Senior
Consultant jlucus@refugeeworks.org
Jonathan
Lucus is the Senior Consultant and National Coordinator for
RefugeeWorks at Lutheran Immigration
and Refugee Service (LIRS). RefugeeWorks provides training and
technical assistance to the national refugee employment network on
strategies to enhance refugee self-sufficiency and is the U.S.
Office of Refugee Resettlement's technical assistance provider for
refugee employment activities. In his role, Jonathan manages all
program activities, including trainings, research and publications.
Prior to joining RefugeeWorks, Jonathan was the Assistant Director
for Community Integration at LIRS. He has also worked as a
Consultant for the North
Carolina State Refugee Office and as the Employment Services
Supervisor for Lutheran Family
Services of the Carolinas. He holds a Master's degree in Public
Affairs from UNCG and is a Rotarian with the Columbia Rotary Club in
Columbia, Maryland.
Rebecca Armstrong Staff Consultant rarmstrong@refugeeworks.org
Rebecca
Armstrong has been with RefugeeWorks since 2002 and worked in
refugee resettlement for ten years. Her interests include
capacity-building, program development, and promoting immigrant
integration. She has worked nationally on a variety of
initiatives to promote self-sufficiency and family stability. For
example, Ms. Armstrong led a 2-year California Refugee Youth
Initiative and completed a year long research study and report
entitled Financial
Literacy for Newcomers. She has also been instrumental in
developing RefugeeWorks' website, which was launched in the summer
of 2006 and is the only website specifically devoted to workforce
development for refugee employment providers. Before joining
RefugeeWorks, Ms. Armstrong served as the Children's Resource and
Community Services Administrator for the Lutheran Family
Services Refugee Program in Denver, Colorado. A graduate of Coe
College, Ms. Armstrong has also taught at the high school and
elementary school levels.
Peer Expert Network
Each year, RefugeeWorks recruits a team of refugee
employment professionals and others with expertise in workforce
development to join the peer expert network. Peer experts
are drawn from diverse audiences, including national resettlement
agencies and their affiliates offices, government programs and
employers. They join RefugeeWorks staff for trainings across the
country, contribute to webinars and other virtual trainings and
provide their insight and expertise to specific technical assistance
requests throughout the year.
To nominate yourself or a colleague to be a peer expert, email information@refugeeworks.org. |