Van headshot

VAN DINH-KUNO

Executive Director

Language: Vietnamese

RISNW MAIN OFFICE – Rainier Hall #228

(425) 388-9312

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BIO: Van Dinh-Kuno, a former refugee from Vietnam, has dedicated most of her adult life helping others at Refugee & Immigrant Services Northwest where she has been Executive Director since 1991. Following her arrival to the US after the Fall of Saigon, she obtained a BS degree in Bio Chemistry from the University of Minnesota. After moving to WA State, she was hired first as a job developer, then assistant director before assuming her current position of 28 years as Executive Director. As the result of her own experience, she brings passion, understanding and commitment to providing culturally and linguistically appropriate services so all refugees and immigrants can build a better life for themselves and their families.

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Under her strong leadership and fiscal management, the annual operating budget has increased significantly over time with multiple revenue streams giving RISNW a strong and stable financial position. She developed numerous successful and strategic partnerships with local community colleges, DSHS/CSO, Employment Security, WorkSource and other local nonprofit providers to leverage services and resources while expanding RISNW’s service populations and geographic area reach beyond Snohomish County to Skagit, Whatcom, San Juan and Island Counties. She is a founding member of the Snohomish Local Planning Area (LPA) which now has more than 140 members.

Van is a recognized and tireless community advocate and civic leader. She is the recipient of numerous awards. The Outstanding Partnership Award from Everett WorkSource in 2002, Outstanding Service to Minority Communities Award from Baker St. Ministries, Asian Weekly Top Contributor Award in 2015 and, most recently, the Oscar Eason Jr.Community Service Award from the NAACP are among the many awards received.

Our team of 20 full-time and 137 on-call interpreters are fluent in 40 languages and dialects. We value partnerships, collaborations and services delivered by culturally relevant and linguistically appropriate staff who reflect the clients we serve.


Vahida Headshot

VAHIDA POLOVINA

Assistant Director
Language: Bosnian


Kamal headshot

KAMAL ACHARYA

Lead Bilingual Case Manager
Language: Nepali


Irina Headshot

IRINA CHOP

Bilingual Case Manager
Language: Russian


Ahmad Headshot

AHMAD FAWAD AMIRZAI

Bilingual Case Manager
Language(s):
Persian, Pashto and Urdu

tamana headshot

TAMANA FROTAN

Navigator
Language(s):
Dari, Pashto, Urdu

Mariya Headshot

MARIYA KAZANTSEVA

WIOA Career Specialist
Language: Russian


Elvira Headshot

ELVIRA NAZAROVA

Scheduler
Language(s):
Russian and Ukrainian

hung headshot

HUNG NGUYEN

Bilingual Case Manager
Language: Vietnamese


Tarseny Headshot

TARSENY OTTIS APHKAS

Office Assistant
Language: Chuukese


zander headshot

ZANDER REFILONG

Employment Specialist
(Snocofutures)

Language: Chuukese

Lochryn Headshot

LOCHRYN SELIFIS

Scheduler
Language: Chuukese


       

JOIN OUR TEAM

RISNW is hiring! A Program Manager position is open for our Department of Health funded project, targeting Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders.
To learn more about the Program Manager position, click here.

 

Equal Opportunity and Non-Discrimination Statement
Refugee & Immigrant Services Northwest (RISNW) is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity, equity and inclusion.  We do not discriminate in any area of employment, programs or services on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, marital status, race, creed, color, national origin, religion or beliefs, political affiliation, military status, honorably discharged veteran, Vietnam Era, recently separated or other protected veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental, physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, equal pay or genetic information.