The International Institute of New England Elects Will Krause and Yesim Richardson to its Board of Directors

BOSTON – January 21, 2026 – The International Institute of New England (IINE), one of the region’s longest-established nonprofits serving refugees and immigrants, has announced the election of two new members to its Board of Directors: Will Krause, Senior Portfolio Manager and Senior Vice President at Northern Trust, and Yesim Richardson, Senior Vice President at Cornerstone Research. 

“Will and Yesim bring exceptional financial expertise and a deep commitment to our mission,” said Jeffrey Thielman, President and CEO of IINE. “Their leadership will be essential as we look to grow private and community support to navigate a changing immigration landscape.”

Will Krause

Will Krause is a Senior Portfolio Manager and Senior Vice President at Northern Trust, where he provides comprehensive wealth advice to institutions and ultra-high net worth families. He joined Northern Trust in 2018 and is a Certified Financial Analyst (CFA) charterholder. Will holds a BS in Government from Harvard University. 

In addition to his professional role, Will serves as Vice Chair of CFA Society Boston, focusing on financial literacy initiatives, and sits on the boards of Kingsley Montessori School and Hill House Boston.   

Will was first elected to IINE’s Board of Directors in 2015 and served a 9-year term before being reelected in 2026. He is the founder of the Ride for Refugees and Immigrants, an annual bike ride that raises critical funds for IINE’s programs. 

“I am thrilled to rejoin IINE’s Board at such a critical time,” said Krause. “We believe that independent of the ebbs and flows of xenophobia in America, New England’s refugees and immigrants should have the necessary support to contribute culturally and economically to our communities. To that end, I look forward to doing what I can to further the IINE mission.”

Yesim Richardson

Yesim Richardson was born and raised in Turkey. As the Senior Vice President at Cornerstone Research, she specializes in applying economic and financial analysis to complex litigation involving securities, financial institutions, valuation, and real estate. Yesim has worked with clients across financial sectors and industries including energy, telecommunications, high technology, and pharmaceuticals. 

A former president of Cornerstone Research, Yesim serves on the firm’s board of directors and previously led its financial institutions practice. She has been recognized by  Consulting Magazine for excellence in leadership and innovation and by Lexology Index (formerly Who’s Who Legal) as a leading commercial litigation practitioner.  

Yesim holds a BA in Economics from Bogaziçi University in Istanbul and a PhD in Economics from Boston University. Prior to joining IINE’s Board of Directors, Yesim served on the Leadership Council. 

“I have a deep appreciation of how IINE’s programs can help transform the paths of our newest community members in ways that benefit all of us,” said Richardson. “I am proud to join an organization with a 100+-year history of providing newcomers with the resources they need to succeed.”

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 10,000 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 these newcomers feel welcome, achieve stability and security, and 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 with continued partnership from community groups and support from philanthropists throughout New England, IINE will continue this service for the next 100 years and beyond. 

Our Board of Directors include corporate and community leaders from across New England. Meet the Board.