Madi Nassiri
Chief Technology Officer
Bio coming soon!
Erik Hope
Senior Director, Technology
Erik is the Senior Director, Technology at KIND where he works to implement the overall strategy for legal services technology projects, primarily focusing on using technology to bridge geographical and communication gaps between clients and attorneys. Prior to joining KIND, Erik held various positions in technology, most recently as a senior consultant at an international managed services provider where he helped medium and large businesses transform from older on-premises networks to modern cloud-based infrastructure. In that role, Erik also provided strategic planning and guidance as well as daily management and support for his clients’ systems. Previously, Erik was a desktop support engineer at the Washington, DC-based public affairs firm The Glover Park Group. Erik has his Bachelor’s of Science degree from DeVry University where he studied network and telecommunications systems management. Erik lives in the DC area with his wife, son, 3 cats and a dog. When not working Erik enjoys cooking, baking, and traveling.
Michelle Giezeman
Senior Director, Data
Michelle focuses on using data to demonstrate impact of services and promote continuous quality improvement. She previously worked at the software company Social Solutions in Baltimore as a Strategic Consultant for large non-profits and government agencies, helping them streamline their data collection systems and measure outcomes through customized reports. Prior to this she was a Casework Supervisor at the International Rescue Committee in Silver Spring, where she led the transition to a new case management software system and improved quality assurance processes in addition to supervising resettlement services for refugees and asylees. She graduated from the University of Notre Dame with degrees in Political Science and Public Service.
Laura Bluher
Data Specialist
Prior to joining KIND, Laura was a freelance photographer and a regular volunteer with CAIR Coalition’s Detained Adult Program at Farmville Immigrant Detention Facility. She is currently a Wolcott Foundation Fellow at George Washington University, where she is pursuing her Master’s Degree in International Affairs. Focusing on Central America’s Northern Triangle region and Mexico, she specializes in migration, human security, and gender policy. She completed her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Photography and Imaging at New York University and minored in Latin American Studies. After completing her undergraduate studies, Laura was the Digital Media Coordinator at the Hemispheric Institute of Performance and Politics at NYU from 2012-2016. Laura is also a devoted teacher and loves working with children; she taught English at a border school in the Dominican Republic, and in New York, she taught free photography courses to NYC high school students at International Center of Photography and NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. After completing her Master’s program, Laura hopes to pursue a law degree to continue advocating for immigrants’ and children’s rights.
Marabi Madrigal
Deputy Director, Data
Marabi graduated from Boston University with a degree in International Relations and Spanish Language and Literature. Early in her undergraduate career, she worked as a translator for Boston University School of Law’s Immigrants’ Rights Clinic, where she assisted in the adjudication of immigration cases of children and other members of vulnerable populations. This ignited in her a passion for the protection of immigrant rights and led her to work as a tutor with the Intergenerational Literacy Program in Chelsea, MA. There, she assisted adults seeking to obtain high-school equivalency certification and improve their English language acquisition. This experience in English education allowed her to intern at Fundación ACOBE in Madrid, Spain, where she gave supplementary English lessons to children, most of whom had recently emigrated from Bolivia to Spain. At Fundación ACOBE she also provided guidance to clients regarding social services available to immigrants in the Community of Madrid in order to assist them on their path toward social integration. Working with KIND has reaffirmed her commitment and desire to work to support the empowerment of vulnerable populations and she is excited to continue working for the protection of immigrant children with the rest of KIND’s dedicated staff.
Juan Alvarado
Data Manager
Juan was born and raised in New Orleans. He attended Tulane University and University of New Orleans receiving degrees in History and Political Science. Prior to joining KIND, he worked at Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston – Houston, which helps provide legal representation to detained and released unaccompanied children.
Jimmy Battle
Technology Manager
Jimmy has been in the nonprofit sector since 2012, and most recently has worked as a Systems Administrator for Root Capital based in Boston. While there, he worked to implement, support and manage the IT Infrastructure for 140 users spanning 5 continents. He has a life-long passion for technology, and believes firmly in the power of connecting people to the resources they need to succeed. He graduated from The Pennsylvania State University majoring in History with a minor in Political Science, and in his spare time enjoys reading, watching movies, and hikes with his wonderful dog Ella.
Diana Pizarro
Technology Associate
Bio coming soon!