HYL New York Steering Committee

Batya Ehrens:

Batya is an immigration attorney in New York City. While her professional practice is primarily focused on employment and corporate based immigrant issues, after work she "lets loose" and shifts her focus to refugee and asylum seekers with the HIAS
Young Leaders. Passionate and inspired by the immigration stories of her clients, family, and friends, Batya has committed herself to promoting just immigration policies through the Young Leaders.
Batya began her career in immigration as a HIAS Young Leader volunteer and also has served as the Co-Chair of the Advocacy and Education Committee. She currently is the Co-Chair of the HIAS Young Leaders New York Chapter.

Jax Wahba Jacqueline (Jax) Wahba:

Jacqueline Wahba (better known as Jax) hails from Brooklyn, NY and has lived there since birth. If she's not at her desk writing some 'fly'fashion copy for Bluefly.Com, you'll find her hosting fundraising events, behind a camera, or working on her neverending novel. Between manicures and martinis, Jax also co-chairs the NY HIAS Young Leaders volunteering committee. Her personal connection – her father was brought over from Egypt thanks to HIAS – inspires her as she attempts to save humanity, bring about awareness on immigrant issues, or at least throw some great parties, with HIAS' help of course!

Amy Schwartz:

Amy Schwartz recently was named
Co-Chair of the Advocacy & Education Committee for the HIAS Young Leaders Chapter in New York. She became involved in HIAS because she believes in advocating on behalf of global immigrants and refugees to better their lives and opportunities, whether it be here in the United States or abroad. She performs a variety of volunteer work for social justice and international development and currently works at The Wall Street Journal in Advertising Sales.

Will William Dawoodi:

Will currently serves as Co-Chair of the Events & Fundraising Committee. A graduate of the University of Chicago, Will spends his days (and nights) working in investment banking and private equity. Every so often, he indulges in appearing on game shows, charming his way to the front of the line at certain gelato shops, and making trips to foreign countries that worry his family (but never all three at once).
In a world full of blackberries and hectic schedules, what really makes Will smile is giving back to the community by volunteering with, and
serving on the boards of, various charities. Given his birth and upbringing in Iran, Will feels especially passionate about the global cause of refugees and immigrants and looks forward to becoming even more involved with HIAS.

Olga Olga Minevich

Olga immigrated to America from Belarus in 1994. She was helped by HIAS to establish her new life in Boston, MA. After graduating Clark University with a Business Management degree, she moved to New York City to continue her career in real estate. She also began volunteering at HIAS and is currently serving as Co-Chair of the Service Committee. If for no other reason, she became involved with HIAS to help other immigrants with a smooth transaction to their new life. During her free time, she enjoys exploring New York from historic sights, museums, art galleries to lounge hopping and of course Broadway shows.

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Young Leaders Main New York Presidential Debate Watch Party Roots & History Club Past Events Upcoming Events & Meetings Steering Committee Los Angeles Washington, DC HYL Advocacy Mission Membership National Events Calendar	HYL New York Steering Committee Batya Ehrens: Batya is an immigration attorney in New York City. While her professional practice is primarily focused on employment and corporate based immigrant issues, after work she "lets loose" and shifts her focus to refugee and asylum seekers with the HIAS Young Leaders. Passionate and inspired by the immigration stories of her clients, family, and friends, Batya has committed herself to promoting just immigration policies through the Young Leaders. Batya began her career in immigration as a HIAS Young Leader volunteer and also has served as the Co-Chair of the Advocacy and Education Committee. She currently is the Co-Chair of the HIAS Young Leaders New York Chapter. Jacqueline (Jax) Wahba: Jacqueline Wahba (better known as Jax) hails from Brooklyn, NY and has lived there since birth. If she's not at her desk writing some 'fly'fashion copy for Bluefly.Com, you'll find her hosting fundraising events, behind a camera, or working on her neverending novel. Between manicures and martinis, Jax also co-chairs the NY HIAS Young Leaders volunteering committee. Her personal connection – her father was brought over from Egypt thanks to HIAS – inspires her as she attempts to save humanity, bring about awareness on immigrant issues, or at least throw some great parties, with HIAS' help of course! Amy Schwartz: Amy Schwartz recently was named Co-Chair of the Advocacy & Education Committee for the HIAS Young Leaders Chapter in New York. She became involved in HIAS because she believes in advocating on behalf of global immigrants and refugees to better their lives and opportunities, whether it be here in the United States or abroad. She performs a variety of volunteer work for social justice and international development and currently works at The Wall Street Journal in Advertising Sales. William Dawoodi: Will currently serves as Co-Chair of the Events & Fundraising Committee. A graduate of the University of Chicago, Will spends his days (and nights) working in investment banking and private equity. Every so often, he indulges in appearing on game shows, charming his way to the front of the line at certain gelato shops, and making trips to foreign countries that worry his family (but never all three at once). In a world full of blackberries and hectic schedules, what really makes Will smile is giving back to the community by volunteering with, and serving on the boards of, various charities. Given his birth and upbringing in Iran, Will feels especially passionate about the global cause of refugees and immigrants and looks forward to becoming even more involved with HIAS. Olga Minevich Olga immigrated to America from Belarus in 1994. She was helped by HIAS to establish her new life in Boston, MA. After graduating Clark University with a Business Management degree, she moved to New York City to continue her career in real estate. She also began volunteering at HIAS and is currently serving as Co-Chair of the Service Committee. If for no other reason, she became involved with HIAS to help other immigrants with a smooth transaction to their new life. During her free time, she enjoys exploring New York from historic sights, museums, art galleries to lounge hopping and of course Broadway shows.