Meet Our Team
Garrett Pearson
Executive Director
Garrett joined World Relief North Texas as Executive Director in September 2021. Garrett spent time working with immigrants and refugees in the United States and internationally before joining World Relief North Texas. Garrett was the executive director of City of Refuge in Columbia, Missouri, where he was responsible for fundraising, advocacy, and community engagement. Garrett's work in refugee and immigration services has instilled in him a feeling of calling when it comes to bridging gaps for others. Garrett was drawn to World Relief North Texas because of his passion for serving the most vulnerable.
Jonathan Parsons
Director of Client Services
Jonathan serves as Director of Client Services. For the past 12 years, Jonathan has worked for World Relief North Texas in a variety of roles. He's delivered furniture to refugee families, moved to a R&P caseworker, then was moved to a management position within R&P. He then directed our youth mentorship program throughout the years. Jonathan helped found a refugee youth soccer team which led to the construction of a soccer field. Now, he is the director of all World Relief North Texas programs. Fun fact: Jonathan's father was the first employee ever hired in North Texas.
Rebecca Armenta
Compliance Manager
Rebecca serves our office as the Compliance Manager. For the past 15 years, she has been a member of our North Texas team. She ensures that we are following compliance for all of our standard grants. She also implements processes and procedures for all our programs. Rebecca has years of experience working in Immigration and Legal Services. Fun fact: Rebecca started as an office receptionist!
Inas Mandy
Finance Specialist
Inas was born in Egypt. She spent 12 years as a senior accountant with the Egyptian Swiss Development Fund.
In 2011, she fled Egypt in search of refuge in the United States, and in 2012 she began working for World Relief North Texas. Inas, our finance specialist, oversees and controls all financial transactions, financial reporting, and budget execution to maintain the office's financial stability and generate accountability to the Home Office. Fun fact: Inas started as our office receptionist!
Lorrie Demers
Finance Specialist
Lorrie serves as one of our Finance Specialists. She assists our finance team through control of financial transactions, financial reporting, and budget execution. She has extensive expertise educating community groups, churches, and other organizations on World Relief's work in North Texas. Lorrie's grandparents started refugee resettlement programs, and she grew up with a strong desire to aid the most vulnerable.
Angelina Rivera
Grant Writer
Angelina, originally from North Carolina, graduated from UNT with a degree in International Studies, with a focus on Humanitarian Development and a minor in Nonprofit Management. She decided she wanted a career in refugee resettlement after becoming familiar with World Relief in high school. Her favorite thing about working with the World Relief staff is that they also recognize the value of loving and welcoming our new neighbors. As a Grant Writer for World Relief North Texas, she is responsible for finding funding opportunities for the organization and writing polished proposals to earn grant money. She loves the opportunity to connect with corporations and foundations that align with our values so they can provide greater resources that support our mission.
Angela Hayward
Refugee Cash Assistance Program Manager
Angela serves as a Refugee Cash Assistance Program Manager. After graduating from Dallas Baptist University in 2017, she was employed as a Program Specialist for our Social Adjustment Services program, and now has moved to Refugee Cash Assistance. Her new position ensures that families have the financial ability to become self-sufficient within their first year of arrival.
Taylor Miller
Reception and Placement Program Manager
Taylor serves as a Reception and Placement Specialist. She received a bachelor's degree in social work from the University of Texas at Arlington. She has worked as a caseworker for foster children, until joining World Relief. She has a strong appreciation for and curiosity about diverse cultures and origins, which captures the attention of her interest in traveling, meeting new people, and serving God with the gifts he has given her.
Briana Vice
Community Engagement Manager
Briana serves as the Community Engagement Manager where she works to connect the local church and community with the families we serve. She was raised in Texas and graduated from Dallas Baptist University in 2019 with a degree in Intercultural Studies. In one of her classes at DBU, she learned about the refugee experience and was burdened to get involved. It was here she was connected with World Relief. Her favorite thing about her job is being able to connect refugees to the community & local church in mutually transformative relationships.
Brian Hogan
Good Neighbor Team Case Specialist
Brian serves as our Good Neighbor Team Case Specialist and is assisting in establishing our Dallas office. Originally from Georgia, he obtained a Masters of Divinity from Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia. What drew him to World Relief was the reputation for serving the vulnerable in North Texas and around the world. He has experience working with vulnerable populations for over 5 years in several different roles. His favorite part of his job is getting to experience the warmth, generosity, and deep joy expressed by people who have endured great loss. Their joy challenges and inspires Brian to be more grateful and to spread that same joy.
Paul Gore
Good Neighbor Team Coordinator
Paul serves as one of our Good Neighbor Team Coordinators. In May 2020, he graduated from Texas Tech and SWBTS Seminary, with a Master's degree in Islamic Studies, and in August of the same year, he was hired at World Relief North Texas. He assists our Good Neighbor Teams, who are small groups of 8-15 people, as they commit to serving newly arrived families for their first 6-8 months in the U.S.
Raed Polus
Reception and Placement Specialist
Raed serves in our office as a Reception and Placement Specialist. His focus consists of handling all of our clients benefit applications. Raed arrived in North Texas as a refugee from Iraq in 2010 and has worked for World Relief North Texas for the past eight years.
Meg Zafiris
Reception & Placement Case Specialist
Meg is a Reception and Placement Case Specialist where she assists clients in the first few months of arrival with their most immediate needs. She is from Pennsylvania, and graduated from West Virginia University with a Bachelor of Science in Animal and Nutritional Science. She has experience in cross-cultural ministry and working with vulnerable populations through her time as a missionary. Meg’s favorite part of her job at World Relief is being able to assist refugees as soon as they arrive and help set them up with the resources they need to make a home here in the U.S.
Stuart Robinson
Reception & Placement Caseworker
Stuart serves as a Reception & Placement Caseworker. He grew up in Madison, Mississippi, and graduated from Mississippi College with a Major in Marketing and Minor in Graphic Design. He first heard of World Relief from a friend who volunteered as a soccer coach for a refugee team. His favorite thing about his job is the impact he has on client’s lives. He loves making long-lasting relationships with his clients.
Ruganza Jules Mugisha
Reception & Placement Caseworker
Jules is serving as a Reception and Placement caseworker. He is from the Democratic Republic of Congo and immigrated to the U.S. He graduated from East Central University in Ada, Oklahoma where he majored in Kinesiology and minored in Sociology. He became familiar with World Relief’s work while living in Africa, and after moving to the U.S. realized World Relief’s work throughout the U.S. His favorite part of working at World Relief is being able to give back to those who are new to the U.S., as he can relate to their story. He loves to see former refugees helping others integrate to a new life.
Justin Waka
Social Adjustment Services (SAS)
Justin serves on our Social Adjustment Services team. He assists clients in achieving self-sufficiency and social integration by applying for and getting resources that they are eligible for. Justin, a World Relief refugee from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, fled to Malawi, where he stayed for eight years. In 2015, he was resettled in Texas. He has been with World Relief for the past five years. He began his career as an interpreter, then as a caseworker in R&P for two years, and then transferred to a caseworker in Social Adjustment Services.
Christina Luol
Social Adjustment Services (SAS)
Christina serves in the Social Adjustment Services. She earned a bachelor's degree in International Studies from the University of North Texas, with a concentration in Development and Humanitarian Affairs. She knew right out of college that she wanted to work for World Relief because she recognized the importance of the service that they accomplish. She also has a great respect for World Relief because her and her family were refugees who were assisted by them, and it is an honor for her to be able to contribute and give back. She is really happy to be a part of the World Relief North Texas team and to continue to develop here.
Belinda Gomez Rubio
Social Adjustment Services (SAS)
Belinda is a caseworker in our Social Adjustment Services program, where she helps anyone enrolled in her program with immediate needs such as food stamps, Medicaid, and other specific needs. She is originally from Queretaro, Mexico, and has obtained a Masters of Human Rights from The University of Arizona. She began volunteering with World Relief in 2018 as a family friend and also volunteered with the boys soccer team. Belinda has experience working with refugees through her social justice internship in Kentucky. She has a passion for helping vulnerable people navigate life in a new country as she was a former migrant to the U.S from Mexico. She has unique passion from her own experience assisting her parents in integrating to the U.S. because she knew the language and could navigate obtaining services.
Victoria Queen
Employment Specialist
Tori serves as one of our Employment Specialists. She grew up in Texas, and went on to get her Bachelor's in Communications and Marketing and with a Master’s in Rehabilitation Counseling. She has since been working in non profits and social services for the past 9 years where she has gained experience working with many different vulnerable populations, including homelessness and victims of trafficking, and experience working in cross-cultural ministry through previous mission trips. Her favorite thing about her job is learning about different cultures and helping refugees by connecting them with meaningful employment opportunities.
Jordan Rogers
Employment Specialist
Jordan serves as an Employment Specialist. Jordan was raised in Arlington, Texas, and graduated from Texas Baptist College with a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities and Biblical Studies. He was introduced to World Relief through a professor who volunteers regularly. His favorite thing about his job is that he loves meeting people from all around the world with various backgrounds, cultures, and languages. These people have gone through many struggles and it brings him joy to help begin the process of restoration in their life. He loves being a part of the work God is doing to make them at peace both mentally and physically by also assisting them in what they need to find jobs.
Luke English
Match Grant Team Lead
Luke serves as the Match Grant Team Lead, and he is in charge of assisting refugees become self-sufficient through employment and case management. At Oregon State University, he majored in Spanish. He began coaching ESL students and teaching a citizenship class for World Relief on a weekly basis. Luke then decided that he wanted to be a part of our team at World Relief, eventually being hired as the Donations Coordinator and then transitioned to Match Grant Team Leader.
Noelle Foster
Match Grant Caseworker
Noelle serves as a Match Grant Caseworker, which assists refugees in becoming self-sufficient through employment and case management. Noelle grew up in Aledo, Texas, and discovered World Relief through her sister and close friends. Her favorite thing about her job is that she loves interacting with and showing love to people experiencing hardship.
McKenna Hansen
Preferred Communities Case Worker
McKenna serves as our Preferred Communities Caseworker. This Texas A&M alumni has done an amazing job starting the Preferred Communities Program at World Relief. McKenna heard about World Relief when a mentor recommended it, and never looked back. Her favorite thing about her job is being able to walk alongside someone more long-term, and help them learn how to become self-sufficient despite any vulnerabilities. She also loves learning about all the different cultures around the world. Our clients come from Afghanistan, Syria, Congo, Cuba, etc., so there is always so much to learn and experience!
Fille Ruhara
Refugee Medical Assistance Specialist
Fille serves as the Refugee Medical Assistance Specialist where she assists refugee families in finding medical care in the U.S. Fille is originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo and has been in the U.S. since 2007. She has a Bachelors in Social Work from Southwestern Assemblies of God University, and is currently working on her Masters of Child Development and Family Studies at Tarleton State University. She has been working with refugee families since her sophomore year of college, when her family started their own ministry called “Arms of Refuge.” She also has experience working with vulnerable populations as a case manager at Refugee Services of Texas and working with victims of sex trafficking and exploitation. She became familiar with World Relief during her junior year of college where she served as a SAS intern with World Relief North Texas. Refugees are Fille’s passion and she is excited to serve these families in this role.
Shari Poston
Refugee Cash Assistance Specialist
Shari serves as a Refugee Cash Assistance Specialist. She is originally from North Richland Hills and has received a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Education and Social Sciences from Howard Payne University, and a Masters in Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. She has experience working with vulnerable populations and refugee families through church and through her previous work on staff in our Employment Program from 2002-2007. Her favorite part of working at World Relief is the atmosphere of the World Relief office, working with people of faith to help the vulnerable, and serving people from different cultures.
Edwin Johnson
Housing Coordinator
Edwin serves as one of our Housing Coordinators. He was born in Colombia and immigrated to the U.S. at the age of 7. He graduated from the University of Florida with a BA in Political Science and a minor in Latin American Studies. Throughout the years he has worked in a variety of different agencies assisting refugees until he heard of World Relief through the media. As a Housing Coordinator, his role focuses on the front end of the refugee journey, by finding appropriate housing for the client before their arrival to the U.S. His favorite part of working with refugees is being able to welcome them to a safe place they can call home.
Mie Millard
Housing Coordinator
Mie is serving as one of our Housing Coordinators. Originally from Houston, Texas, she went on to receive a B.A. in History from Baylor University, and then a M.A. in Religious Studies from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Mie has been serving alongside World Relief for several years in programs such as ESL and simply befriending refugee families. As a Housing Coordinator, she plays a vital role in assuring that a client has a home upon arrival into the U.S. One of her favorite things about her current role is seeing new families appear on the arrival list, helping them move into their new homes, and seeing the joy on her clients faces!
Kelsey Whaley
Communications Coordinator
Kelsey serves as our Communications Coordinator. She was raised in Texas and attended Dallas Baptist University for her Undergraduate and Graduate degrees. She then was introduced to World Relief through a friend, and joined our team in March of 2022. Her favorite thing about her job is getting to be an advocate for refugees to a broader audience who may be unfamiliar with the process a refugee goes through.
Serenity Conrad
Volunteer Coordinator
Serenity serves as our Volunteer Coordinator. She grew up in Wisconsin, but the Lord brought her to North Texas in 2019. Once in Texas, she heard about World Relief through several friends. Her favorite thing about her job is being able to serve each person holistically as they arrive with a variety of needs. She knows God has uniquely put her in this position to be His hands and feet, and to serve them in such a way that she gets to leave His imprint with each of them.
Ben Demers
Resource Coordinator
Ben serves as the Resource Coordinator, where he manages the receipt distribution of donations, does apartment set-ups, and coordinates with churches and volunteers. He spent most of his life in Texas, and recently graduated from Toccoa Falls College with a Biblical Studies Degree. Ben comes from a unique family with deep roots within World Relief, from his parents, grandparents, and great grandparents. He has been volunteering with World Relief all of his life. His favorite thing about his job is being able to participate in creating a space where clients are able to spend their first days and nights in a new country in comfort and peace.
Faith Coleman
ESL Coordinator
Faith Coleman serves as our ESL Coordinator. She is originally from Weatherford, Texas, and has a Bachelor’s in Community Health and minor in Psychology from Texas A&M University. She has experience in cross-cultural ministry from 8 months of studying abroad in the Dominican Republic, where she worked to create and implement a health education program for the Haitian and Dominican patients in her clinic and community. Her favorite part about working with World Relief is getting to be a part of an organization that serves the most vulnerable in some of the hardest to reach places globally and the opportunity to welcome the nations to Fort Worth.
Alexis Beauchamp
English Language Instruction Site Lead Teacher
Alexis Beauchamp, from Fort Worth, received a Bachelor of Arts in English with Secondary Education from Texas Wesleyan. She saw that World Relief North Texas had a need for ESL volunteers, which led her to find a job opening in English Language Instruction. What she loves most about working for World Relief is the opportunity to grow more in cultural humility and the chance to help bring healing and transformation to the most vulnerable.
Landry Little
Office Coordinator
Landry serves as the Office Coordinator, where she is the first smile that clients and visitors see when needing assistance from our office. Landry was raised in Claude, Texas, and recently graduated from Tarleton State University. She was drawn to World Relief through friends who had volunteered. Her favorite thing about her job is getting to meet so many new people from so many different places and getting to hear their stories.
Sarah Henry
Refugee School Impact Specialist
Sarah is launching the new Refugee School Impact Program at World Relief North Texas which focuses on preparing students for school in the United States, equipping parents with the tools they need to be active in their children’s education, as well as networking with the community on summer education programs. She is from Arlington, Texas, and has a Master’s in Communication from the University of Arkansas. In the summer of 2016, Sarah worked as an intern in our Reception and Placement program, has previous experience tutoring bilingual elementary students, and served as a conversation partner for international students throughout her Undergraduate and Master’s programs. She is most excited to empower refugee parents and students to learn and broaden their perspectives and futures through education.
Stephanie Flaa
Refugee School Impact Specialist
Stephanie serves as the RSI Specialist. She has been working in ministry and a variety of church positions for over 23 years. Originally from Montana, she moved to Texas with her husband 21 years ago. After experiencing Sudan firsthand in 2004, she started volunteering with World Relief. Stephanie stayed connected to World Relief's work over the years, and decided to come on staff in 2022. Her favorite part about her job is hearing refugees stories and learning from their faith and hope.
Kesiah Morris
Ukrainian Humanitarian Parole Community Liaison
Kesiah is originally from Korea, and moved to Fort Worth in 2009 to attend Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and Psychology and Counseling from Handong University in Korea, and a Master of Arts in Missiology from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. While living in Fort Worth, her husband and her had the opportunity to begin working with refugee families and World Relief employees. After developing a deep relationship with an Iraqi refugee family, she began to understand that working with World Relief North Texas was the crossroads between her degree and what she was called too. Her favorite thing about her role as Ukrainian Humanitarian Parole Community Liaison is that she has an opportunity to be there for vulnerable people when they are going through the most stressful time in their life and guide them to a better stage in their life.
Emily Amasah
Immigration Coordinator
Emily Amasah serves as an Immigration Coordinator with ILS. She is from Texas, and will soon be starting classes at Christ For the Nation, pursuing a degree in Practical Ministry. She is passionate about offering practical and spiritual help to others, and this is what drew her to World Relief North Texas. She has quite a bit of cross-cultural ministry experience from her time participating in international missions, including her time living in Ghana, Africa. In her role here, she will be assisting the ILS Department with administration and immigration processing duties. She is most excited for the opportunity to be a smiling and welcoming face to all refugees that come into the office seeking immigration aid.
Alejandra Martinez
Immigration and Legal Services Manager
Alejandra serves as our ILS Specialist, a fairly new program for North Texas. She was born in Guanajuato, Mexico and immigrated with her family at age 10. She has since graduated from Augustana College in Rock Island, IL majoring in Public Health and minoring in Latin-American Studies. She heard about World Relief in high school when a speaker came to share about what World Relief does. She started as a volunteer, then intern, and eventually went full time. Her favorite thing about her job is having the chance to meet the most amazing people and hearing their stories. She loves that World Relief truly cares for their clients and wants to walk alongside them, to go the extra mile to support and welcome immigrants like herself.
Andrew Morris
Immigration Attorney
Andrew serves as our Immigration Attorney for ILS. Andrew graduated from Union University in Jackson, Tennessee with a BA in Theatre/Speech, then received his Juris Doctor from the University of Memphis School of Law, in Memphis, Tennessee. He moved to Texas with his family, where he became familiar with World Relief by assisting in ministry to refugees in the DFW area. He and his family have also served with the IMB, along with many other missions opportunities. He loves that as an Immigration Attorney he has the opportunity to make a positive impact on clients lives.