From the Desk of the CEO: 10 Years, 10 Lessons

By Jeff Thielman, President & CEO of the International Institute of New England

I’ve now had the privilege of serving as president & CEO of the International Institute of New England for ten years. During this time, we’ve navigated historic levels of forced displacement worldwide, dramatic changes to U.S. immigration policy, and, of course, a global pandemic. With each year that passes, I have more admiration for the refugees and immigrants who courageously build new lives in the United States, and more gratitude for the compassion of those who welcome them.  

Here are ten lessons I’ve learned doing this work:  

1) Resilience is a superpower.

Refugees have endured immense trauma in their home countries, forced to flee war, violence, persecution, and famine. Leaving behind everything they know, many spend years living in threadbare conditions in refugee camps and endure long journeys to the U.S. only to begin their lives here in poverty and uncertainty. Their ability to adapt and move forward always inspires me.

2) Immigrants are essential workers.

Through workforce orientation, job skills training, and employment support, our team has helped thousands of refugees and immigrants enter and advance in the New England workforce. Employers tell us they love working with our clients because they are driven, adaptable, and quick to learn. Immigrants are key workers in many critical industries, including healthcare, construction, manufacturing, biotech, and retail. To learn more, take our quiz: Immigrants in the U.S. Workforce. 

3) Even in the darkest of times, people generously support newcomers.

Public opinion about welcoming immigrants to the United States can shift dramatically. Yet even when public sentiment has not been on our side, brave people have stepped up to care for our clients, generously giving their time, expertise, and resources. That investment pays off, as we saw when we dug deep into the IINE archives to celebrate our Centennial anniversary: 1924-2024: 10 Defining Highlights of IINE’s First 100 Years of Service in Boston. 

4) Immigration has shaped our personal stories as well as our country’s history.

Nearly all of us have an immigration story to tell—whether you are the first in your family to put down roots in the U.S. or someone earlier in your ancestry made the brave journey here. It’s this shared connection that has shaped the U.S. into the multicultural nation we are today.

5) It takes a network of supporters to welcome refugees and set them up for success. 

We can help thousands of newcomers every year because of the dedicated employers, healthcare organizations, schools, and community groups who partner with us. I am especially grateful for the volunteers who befriend and guide our clients in their time of greatest need. Here is a wonderful example: “I Never Felt Alone”: Maydelyn, a Refugee and Single Mom from Guatemala, Finds Community and a New Start in Massachusetts.

6) Immigrants are patriotic. 

Our clients are immensely grateful for the safety and opportunity they have found in the U.S. and believe in our country’s ideals and institutions. According to a study conducted by the Cato Institute, in comparison to native-born Americans, immigrants “have more trust in the three branches of American government” and are prouder to be American. For many immigrants and refugees, like Farishta, becoming a U.S. citizen is “like a dream come true.” 

7) Immigrants are innovators and creators. 

At our Centennial Golden Door Award gala, Flagship Pioneering Chairman and Founder Noubar Afeyan told us, “Being a stranger in a new land changes how your brain works in ways that make it easier for you, for us, to innovate and to create.” Studies show that immigrants are more likely to be entrepreneurs than native-born Americans, and I see that resourcefulness and drive among our clients every day.

8) Immigrants and refugees pay it forward.

Many of my IINE colleagues, from those who greet you at our front desks to those who lead our organization, are former refugees or first-generation immigrants who have dedicated their careers to supporting new arrivals. Many of our clients strive to do the same; one striking example is former IINE client and frequent collaborator, Suraj Budathoki, a member of the New Hampshire legislature: “I Always Want to Give Back”: Suraj Budathoki’s Journey from a Refugee Camp to the NH Statehouse. 

9) Immigrant youth make incredible leaders.

For many of our young clients, opportunity was scarce in their home countries. Coming to the U.S. gives them a chance to pursue their educational and career dreams, and they do so with great determination. Listen to my interview with PRX’s The World to learn more about how young newcomers to the U.S. forge their own paths.   

10) IINE is creative. 

The challenges of these last ten years have required our organization to adapt and reset again and again. We’ve created new programs, learned to work remotely, and quickly developed new teams and initiatives to meet each moment. You can learn more about our planned response to the unique demands of the year ahead in our latest Spotlight Report. 

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Thank you for helping to make these last ten years so meaningful. Doing this work is a privilege, and I look forward to continuing to partner with our dedicated staff, volunteers, Board of Directors, Leadership Council members, community partners, and donors to welcome refugees and immigrants to New England.