The International Institute of New England Names Hannah Odaa as Boston Managing Director  

BOSTON – December 9, 2024 – The International Institute of New England (IINE), one of the region’s longest-established nonprofits serving refugees and immigrants, has announced the hiring of Hannah Odaa as the new managing director of its Boston site.

A passionate social justice and human rights advocate, Odaa most recently worked as the senior director of refugee employment services at JVS Boston. During her 11-year tenure at the organization, she empowered refugee and immigrant communities to access English language classes, gain job skills, find employment, and build careers. Earlier in her career, alongside a team of Haitian community mobilizers, Odaa started a microcredit program and women’s self-help groups in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, which have since expanded and are still running today. 

As IINE’s Boston managing director, Odaa will oversee a team of case specialists, ESOL instructors, and employment specialists in providing life-changing support to more than 6,000 refugees and immigrants IINE serves in the Boston area annually. She will play a key role in forging partnerships at the state, city, and community level, helping to coordinate resources and efforts to support refugees and immigrants in navigating their new homes, rebuilding their lives, and finding opportunities in Massachusetts.  

“One hundred years ago, in 1924, the International Institute opened its Boston office during a period of deep anti-immigrant sentiment,” said IINE President and CEO Jeff Thielman. “A century later, our commitment to providing refugees and immigrants with safety, stability, and promising futures is more important than ever. We are thrilled to have Hannah join us at such a pivotal moment. Our staff and clients will benefit greatly from her deep ties to the Boston immigrant community, expertise in international development and women’s empowerment, and career-long commitment to serving some of our most vulnerable community members.” 

“Boston has always been a city of immigrants – much to everyone’s benefit,” said Odaa. “Newly arriving families and individuals enrich our culture and economy, bringing new customs, skills, and a deep desire to put down roots and give back, and I would be remiss not to mention their billions of dollars in tax contributions. I am honored to oversee a team that will help thousands of refugees and immigrants find a home in Massachusetts and reinforce the welcoming nature of the Commonwealth.” 

ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF NEW ENGLAND

The International Institute of New England (IINE) creates opportunities for refugees and immigrants to succeed through resettlement, education, career advancement and pathways to citizenship. With locations in Boston and Lowell, Massachusetts and Manchester, New Hampshire, IINE serves more than 20,000 individuals annually, including people displaced by political instability, violence, and climate crises, child and adult survivors of human trafficking, and unaccompanied children joining family members in New England. IINE offers a comprehensive range of programs and services to help newcomers feel welcome; achieve stability and security; access resources in their new communities; advance their education and employment goals; and integrate into their communities. IINE’s expertise builds on more than a century of service and accomplishes its mission in partnership with community groups, stakeholders, and supporters throughout New England.