Refugees International Announces New Board Leadership

WASHINGTON—Refugees International announced today the election of Maureen White as co-chair of its board of directors. White joins Jeffrey Tindell as co-chair, who has served in the role since 2019. She succeeds Natacha Weiss, who has joined the Refugees International board emeritus. 

“Refugees International’s work and mission becomes more critical by the day,” White said. “I have long admired the organization’s enduring commitment to truth-telling and advocacy on behalf of the displaced here in Washington, and I am grateful to stand with Jeff at the helm as board co-chairs.”

White has served on Refugees International’s board of directors since 2018. She is currently a Senior Fellow in the Foreign Policy Institute at the Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) at Johns Hopkins University. White was previously the Senior Advisor on Humanitarian Issues to Richard C. Holbrooke in the Office of the Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan in the U.S. Department of State from 2009‐2013 and represented the U.S. government at the United Nations Children’s Fund from 1997‐2001. She is active on the boards of numerous organizations involved in international affairs, democracy promotion, and humanitarianism.

“It is an honor to serve with Maureen White and Jeff Tindell as stewards of an organization that is fighting tirelessly to advance the rights of refugees and displaced people around the world,” said Refugees International President Eric Schwartz. “Maureen White’s breadth of experience navigating complex political and humanitarian issues will only sharpen our ability to rise to the occasion of this dire moment and champion the rights of the displaced—as humanitarian needs mount, as borders are closing, and as more people are fleeing home in search of safety than any other time in recorded history.”  

The board also elected Darya Nasr as vice-chair, Vaithehi Muttulingam as treasurer, and Craig Johnstone as secretary. Refugees International is also pleased to welcome new and distinguished board members Max Greenberg, Augustin Ntabaganyimana, and Alexia von Lipsey.

About Refugees International

Refugees International advocates for lifesaving assistance and protection for displaced people and promotes solutions to displacement crises around the world. It does not accept any government or UN funding, ensuring the independence and credibility of its work. 

For press inquiries, contact Refugees International Director of Communications Sarah Sheffer atssheffer@refugeesinternational.org or +1 203 305 9880.