The staffing needs of Bilingual International continually evolve to meet the growing needs of the communities that we serve.
JASON BAKER, PhD
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
JASON BAKER received his Ph.D. in Languages and Literatures from Washington University in St. Louis in 2007. While working as (among other things) an adjunct German professor, he served as a volunteer citizenship tutor in the Naturalization Assistance program for two years before leaving the academic arena entirely and coming on board as Interpreter Coordinator in 2012. For four years, Jason assisted the agency’s founder, Julia Ostropolsky, LCSW, with strategic planning, grant and financial management, and day-to-day agency operations before accepting directorship in 2016. As Executive Director, Jason is dedicated to carrying out the founder’s vision of equal access to services for all. A native St. Louisan, he has never had a more challenging, exhausting, or rewarding job.
REINA BAEZ, MS, LMFT – DIRECTOR OF MENTAL HEALTH
REINA BAEZ received her Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from San Diego State University in 2007 and spent over a decade working as a bilingual/bicultural therapist and developing programs to provide therapeutic services for historically underserved communities in California. Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, she has dedicated her career to serving Latinx and other immigrant communities. Founder of the Libertad Community Center in Guernville, CA and an experienced provider of psychological evaluations in immigration cases, Reina oversees Bilingual International’s established mental health programming and will help focus the department’s energies on better meeting immigrant and refugee community behavioral health needs in the St. Louis area.
DIANNE CARTY – DIRECTOR, SOCIAL SERVICES
DIANNE CARTY came to Bilingual International as a Russian interpreter in 2012 and has worked with a wide range of clients and programming. Born in Uzbekistan (then Soviet Union), Dianne arrived in the U.S. in 1991 and actively helped her family adjust to American culture. She holds a Bachelor’s of Arts in Geography: GIS from Northeastern Illinois University and worked as a contract cartographic analyst for the Department of Defense for two years, until switching fields to pursue her passion of helping people. Dianne served as a multilingual Affordable Care Act Navigator before assuming oversight of that program. She also oversaw agency Medicaid reassessment services for several years. She now works with our Social Services Team to ensure clinical and contract compliance across programming including all SLAAA programs, Macklind International Senior Center, CLAIM, and contracted case management services.
VICTORIA BARMAK DIRECTOR, LANGUAGE SERVICES
VICTORIA BARMAK is responsible for recruiting, screening, and supervising the agency’s team of interpreters and translators. Victoria conducts interpreter training and teaches continuing education courses. She collaborates with all departments at Bilingual International to ensure contract compliance, successful project management, and quality customer service. As a refugee from the former Soviet Union, Victoria personally experienced the challenges of being a newcomer and appreciates the value of the services Bilingual International provides. Victoria received her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Yeshiva University, New York City and is currently an MA candidate in Communications at University of Missouri – St. Louis.
LEAH BERNSTEIN, MSW – DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNICATIONS
LEAH (SILBERMAN) BERNSTEIN, MA, MSW earned her Master of Science in Social Work Columbia University, her MA in Jewish Studies from the Jewish Theological Seminary, her BA in Sociology from Columbia University, and her BA in Jewish History from the Jewish Theological Seminary. Leah has designed and established multiple successful Development departments in the nonprofit sector with solid and sustainable annual, multi-year, major gifts and corporate giving programs. Her work in Development is fully integrated with both the vision and goals of Marketing/PR, Volunteer Engagement, and Leadership Development. In addition, Leah is a published academic writer and poet. She acknowledges that her, by far, best two poems are her children – Abigail and Gabriel.
KERSTEN HORN, MA, DIRECTOR, SPECIAL PROJECTS
KERSTEN HORN, MA is the lead for the agency’s emergency programs in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Kersten was born in Germany and attended college in France and the United Kingdom. He holds a Bachelor of Social Sciences and Economics in European Union Studies from Cardiff University (UK) and an MA in Germanic Studies from The University of Texas at Austin. His professional experience prior to joining Bilingual International includes teaching, language services, and program management.
STAFF
Louise Albano-Hurley –
Data Evaluation Coordinator
Enisa Balogun, PLPC –
Therapist
Maria del Rosario Bobadilla, CSJ, LMFT –
Therapist
Mario Camere, JD –
Immigration Attorney
Eileen Cheong, LPC –
Therapist
Jorge Diaz, MA –
Community Access Worker
Abby Evilsizor, LMSW –
Clinician – Project Safe Space
Miranda Gace –
Community Access Worker
Eli Hoxha –
Operations Manager, DOJ Rep.
Liyan Jin, MPH –
Community Access Worker
Candace Kilpatric, PLPC –
STEPS Counselor
Ron Klutho –
Team Lead – Refugee Services
Abby MacDonald, LMSW –
Therapist
Will Mattingly, PLPC –
Therapist
Sajida Momeni –
Community Access Worker
Rania Monla –
Community Access Worker
Thinh Nguyen –
Community Access Worker/Survey Researcher
Tram Nguyen, MA –
Community Access Worker
Katrina Orlet, LCSW –
Therapist
Kimberly Osmanagic, LPC –
Therapist, Director – Wellness Programs
Liz Ricks-Aherne, LMSW –
Clinician, Project Safe Space
Ellen Sherman –
Volunteer Coordinator
Rita Skiba-Mathews, LCSW –
Therapist/Coordinator – Project Safe Space
Daleva Sullentrup –
Bookkeeper
Lorna Vaughn, PLPC –
Therapist, Case Worker
Amy Wilhelm, MA –
Citizenship Educator – Senior Services
Paul Witte, LPC –
Coordinator – St. Louis Partnership for Survivors of Torture
KIMBERLY OSMANAGIC, LPC
THERAPIST, DIRECTOR – WELLNESS PROGRAMS
KIMBERLY OSMANAGIC received her Masters of Counseling from St. Louis University. While she has a background working with adolescents and facilitating conflict resolution she also has over 14 years of experience providing individualized therapy to foreign born immigrants and refugees. At Bilingual International, Kimberly oversees two major programs: STEPS to Better Health and Peer Health Coaching for Immigrants/Refugees. Kimberly is fluent in Bosnian. She easily adjusts to various cultures, diverse backgrounds and many languages, while maintaining professionalism, a great attitude, and a helpful demeanor.
LORNA VAUGHN, PLPC
THERAPIST, CASE WORKER
LORNA VAUGHN, PLPC, holds an MA in Professional Counseling from Lindenwood University and joined Bilingual International after many years working on the front lines of mental health crisis intervention in St. Louis. With a work history that includes ALM Hopewell Center, Behavioral Health Response, and Metropolitan St. Louis Psychiatric Center, Lorna excels at providing a calming presence in situations of extreme psychological distress. Lorna is currently providing counseling under the STEPS to Better Health program. She also works with the social service department serving non-foreign-born seniors in St. Louis City. Lorna is also a licensed ACA Navigator.
MIRANDA GACE
COMMUNITY ACCESS WORKER
MIRANDA GACE came to Bilingual International as a professional interpreter and quickly alerted us to the needs of the small but underserved Albanian and Kosovar communities in the area. She has since worked to secure U.S. citizenship and social services for many older permanent residents of this community. Miranda has a background in teaching and journalism, and she served as the Executive Director of the Society for Democratic Culture in Tirana, Albania for almost a decade. Miranda is a community leader in the true sense of the word, an advocate for her people, and a member of numerous organizations and Boards outside the agency including Family Care Health Centers.
THINH NGUYEN
SURVEY RESEARCHER
THINH NGUYEN was born in Vietnam and holds a Journalism and Law degree from universities in Hanoi. He also holds a Masters in Legal Studies from Webster University. Initially working with the agency’s Vietnamese client base as a Community Access Worker, Thinh transitioned in Fall of 2014 to the position of Survey Researcher. As such, he oversees all surveys in support of agency programming/reporting as well as the analysis and interpretation of survey data.
ELLEN SHERMAN
VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR
ELLEN SHERMAN is no stranger to Bilingual International. One of three founding board members, she served as the President of the Board of Directors for two consecutive terms. Under her leadership, the agency grew from a small team of five to a larger, vibrant, and productive team of 12 staff members. Ellen joins us as an experienced Volunteer Coordinator with dedication and positive energy that is truly contagious.
DALEVA SULLENTRUP
BOOKKEEPER
DALY SULLENTRUP serves as Bilingual International’s Bookkeeper, having previously worked in an estate planning law firm and for many years with a non-profit labor organization. Born in Cuba as the daughter of missionary parents who left Havana in 1961, Daly is bilingual, fluent in English and Spanish. Daly has lived and worked in Florida, Mexico City, Texas, and, for the last 14 years, Missouri. Daly welcomes the job’s challenges as she continues to collaborate with Bilingual International’s leadership team with the ultimate goal of sustained organizational success.
FARAH MOHAMMED
SENIOR CENTER DRIVER
FARAH MOHAMMED and his family fled Somalia in 1991 due to civil war. At a refugee camp in Kenya, Farah worked as a driver for the UNHCR and IOM, and also assisted the disabled and vulnerable in the camp. Mohammed and his family were resettled to St. Louis in 2004, and he began working at various agencies. Farah is well-known in the Somali community as the father of the largest Somali family in town (13 children). Farah picks up our multi-ethnic senior group participants at their door and brings them to Macklind International safely and always with his trademark positive energy.
ELI HOXHA
CITIZENSHIP COORDINATOR / SR. CTR. ADMIN. / DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE ACCREDITED REPRESENTATIVE
ELI HOXHA was born in Albania and immigrated to the United States with her family in 1997. She graduated from Saint Louis University with her Bachelors in Social Work. Her work ethic and compassionate care for aging populations makes her a unique asset on the Bilingual team. Eli serves as the Citizenship Coordinator for older adults and also oversees Senior Center Operations at Bilingual International.
RON KLUTHO
TEAM LEAD, REFUGEE SERVICES
RON KLUTHO has worked with the refugee communities of St Louis for over 25 years. With a background in linguistics and English as a Second Language, Ron has taught English in Japan and at several locations in St Louis. He started as a volunteer at St Pius V’s Refugee Support Ministry with Sister Paulette Weindel while teaching full-time, which evolved into a full-time position at the church. Ron speaks several languages fluently including Bosnian, and is trying to learn Arabic now with great interest but great difficulty. Ron and his refugee services “Faith Team” came to the agency from Places for People in October 2016 after many years of collaboration with Bilingual International
MARIO CAMERE
IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY
MARIO CAMERE received his Juris Doctorate from Saint Louis University School of Law in 2013. Although Mario has practiced different types of law, his practice has primarily focused on several subsets of immigration law. At Bilingual International, Mario advises and assists clients in navigating the complex processes of naturalization, adjustment of status, family reunification, and asylum.
SAJIDA MOMENI
COMMUNITY ACCESS WORKER
SAJIDA MOMENI received her B.A in Linguistic Humanities in Kabul, Afghanistan. She also received an Associates Degree in Human Services from St. Louis Community College at Forest Park. Sajida was born in Afghanistan and speaks Pashto and Dari fluently. Sajida worked for four years at the International Institute of St. Louis as a mental health case worker and worked for five and half years at Places for People as community support. Sajida is currently working at Bilingual International as a Community Access Worker.
KATRINA ORLET, LCSW
THERAPIST
KATRINA ORLET, LCSW has over 20 years of experience working with individuals and families who have experienced abuse, trauma, and difficult life circumstances. A bilingual (Spanish) therapist, she has an MSW from the University of Washington, Seattle, and a BSSW from Saint Louis University, and has worked in St. Louis, the Pacific Northwest, and Bolivia. Her focus is on building capacity to care for complex family problems, and collaboration to improve services for everyone. Katrina’s professional experience includes child abuse and neglect,mental health and substance abuse treatment,school social work, and residential services, with an emphasis on serving people in their own community.
PAUL WITTE, LPC
COORDINATOR – ST. LOUIS PARTNERSHIP FOR SURVIVORS OF TORTURE
PAUL WITTE, LPC, earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Literature and Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Truman State University in 2010. He earned his Master Degree in Mental Health Counseling from Southern Oregon University in 2013 and began work that year with the Center for Survivors of Torture and War Trauma in St. Louis. Paul has recently returned from working as the clinical supervisor of the Belize City Community Counseling Center in Belize (Central America). Paul has completed advanced trainings in EMDR and attachment, cognitive processing therapies specializing in traumatic grief and mindfulness and specialized in treating complex trauma with children and adults.
RITA SKIBA
LCSW, THERAPIST / COORDINATOR – PROJECT SAFE SPACE
RITA SKIBA-MATHEWS, LCSW earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Miami University with a focus on supporting community development in underfunded urban neighborhoods. Upon arriving in St. Louis in 2012, she worked with first generation college students at College Bound St. Louis and served as a groups facilitator and psychoeducation coordinator at Safe Connections. In 2017, Rita graduated from St. Louis University’s clinical social work program with a specialization of working with children and youth who have experienced trauma. Rita currently serves as the Project Safe Space Coordinator and Clinician on the project.
JOANNA MIKHAIL
PLPC – THERAPIST
JOANNA MIKHAIL, PLPC graduated from Covenant Seminary in May 2018 with a Masters of Counseling and has pursued training in trauma therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), and CBT-Insomnia. Joanna is also a Master Facilitator-in-training with the Trauma Healing Institute. She is passionate about caring for refugees with trauma, particularly those from the Middle East, having been raised in Egypt and worked there throughout the Egyptian revolution and the Arab Spring as a freelance journalist. She is fluent in Arabic and has lived and worked internationally in multi-cultural environments for more than 20 years.
ENISA BALOGUN, PLPC
THERAPIST
ENISA BALOGUN, PLPC, was born and raised in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. She provided lay counseling in Bosnia for 14 years before moving to the U.S. to pursue and complete her Masters of Arts in Counseling at Covenant Theological Seminary. Enisa is bilingual in Bosnian and English with experience providing community-based therapy to clients from a wide variety of ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Enisa is a coffee enthusiast and when not working can be found hanging out in coffee shops.
AMY WILHELM, MA
CITIZENSHIP EDUCATOR – SENIOR SERVICES
AMY WILHELM holds a BA in International Relations from Tulane University and an MA in Spanish from St. Louis University. She has worked as an English as a Second Language educator and advocate for the Illinois Migrant Education Program and also as an immigration specialist for an immigration attorney in New Orleans. Amy has studied second language acquisition theory and teaching methodologies, and is a member of ACTFL (American Council on Teaching of Foreign Language). She has been teaching Spanish for 14 years in St. Louis, from primary to college levels.
MARIA DEL ROSARIO BOBADILLA, CSJ, LMFT
MARIA DEL ROSARIO BOBADILLA, CSJ, LMFT is a psychotherapist/counselor with decades of experience working with families, couples and individuals. Maria also has a Chaplain Certification for Missouri. She works with an eclectic methodology with strong roots in pastoral counseling. Among other therapy directions, she uses a holistic orientation working with the whole areas of the person. Currently, Maria lives in the city of St. Louis and works as a bilingual therapist for Bilingual International at Casa de Salud’s Mental Health Collaborative, a chaplain at Mercy Hospital, and leads therapy groups. Maria likes to walk, hike and visit the beautiful parks of Missouri.
CANDACE KILPATRIC, PLPC – STEPS COUNSELOR
CANDACE KILPATRIC, PLPC is a provisionally licensed counselor working under the STEPS to Better Health program. She holds a Master’s degree in Education from Washington University in St. Louis and spent 20 years working as a teacher. In 2016, Candace completed a Master’s degree in Counseling from the University of Missouri – St. Louis. She has previously worked in the treatment unit of the St. Louis County Department of Family Services and has worked in schools with children and youth through counseling internships. Candace is married and the mother of an adult son and college student daughter.
RANIA MONLA – COMMUNITY ACCESS WORKER
RANIA MONLA graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in French and Business Administration from the University of Missouri – St. Louis in 2013. She is a native speaker of Arabic and has worked with many different agencies in the capacity of interpreter across a broad range of settings including schools, private sector companies, medical settings, and courtrooms. She also worked as an Arabic instructor for adults and as a private French tutor for young children. Rania has a passion for helping Limited English Proficient individuals, which is rooted in the struggles that she experienced herself upon arriving in the U.S. from Lebanon.
ABBY MACDONALD, LMSW – THERAPIST
ABBY MACDONALD was born in St. Louis and attended The University of Arkansas for her undergraduate degree in Psychology and African Studies. After a volunteer year working for a nonprofit serving the foreign-born community in Philadelphia, she returned to St. Louis to obtain her Masters in Social Work from Washington University. She has practicum and work experience at various immigrant service providers in the area with both children and adults. Abby is passionate about learning from different cultures and always trying to find more ways to travel.
EILEEN CHEONG, LPC – THERAPIST
EILEEN CHEONG was born in New York City to parents that immigrated from Singapore, where she grew up among a multitude of cultures and later taught abroad as an ESL teacher in Hainan, China. She moved to Saint Louis to earn her Masters in Art Therapy Counseling from Southern Illinois University of Edwardsville in 2013. As a nationally Registered Art Therapist she specializes in narrative and person-centered therapy to encourage the artistic process as a catalyst for healing and to envision positive change in our communities. With 200 hour foundational training in yoga, Eileen provides skill building in breathwork and mindfulness techniques to counter anxiety and depression. Through her experience as a crisis intervention counselor, she is adept at using trauma-informed approaches to counseling and believes in Relational-Cultural approaches to wellness to address the whole person along with their worldview.
WILL MATTINGLY, PLPC – THERAPIST
WILL MATTINGLY, PLPC graduated magna cum laude from Covenant Theological Seminary with a Masters in Counseling in 2017. He has extensive experience in both individual counseling and leading men’s therapy groups. Outside of work, Will enjoys palying and composing music, practicing martial arts, and is also an active member of the St. Louis Table Tennis Club.
DEANNA ZOLLER-COCIC – COMMUNITY ACCESS WORKER
DEANNA ZOLLER-COCIC fled her hometown of Sarajevo in 1992 during the siege with her two young children. As a refugee in Germany, she quickly learned German and worked as a Medical Assistant for German physicians in Wiesbaden. Deanna arrived in St. Louis in 1998 and worked in sales and customer service at Lambert International Airport for 15 years. For the past five years, she has worked as an interpreter with LAMP. Deanna works on the Social Services team and oversees the Bosnian senior group, as well as providing case work, citizenship, benefits assistance, Medicare counseling, etc. for our Bosnian-speaking clients.
ALYSON MILLER graduated from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in 2017 with a degree in Social Work. She moved to St. Louis in 2018 after spending a year in Peru as a volunteer with a nonprofit organization that serves women, children, and indigenous communities. As a member of the Language Services team at BIAS she is involved in the oversight and management of interpreter/translator recruitment, language services education and outreach, and program development. Alyson enjoys rock climbing, playing music, and being in the wilderness.
LIYAN JIN, MPH, earned a Master of Public Health with Epidemiology and Biostatics concentration from Washington University in St. Louis in 2020. She was born and raised in Nanjing, which is a sister city of St. Louis in China. She is passionate about helping senior immigrants meet their health needs, and she loves working with people from diverse cultural backgrounds..
RACHEL ZAHNISER, PLPC, earned a Bachelor’s Degree in International and Cross Cultural Studies from Greenville University in 2012. Rachel was raised in Colorado and Southern Illinois. After receiving her undergraduate degree, she moved to Oslo, Norway, then to Wichita, Kansas, and finally to St. Louis where she graduated from the University of Missouri- St. Louis in 2019 with a Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Rachel has advanced training in EMDR and Play Therapy; she is passionate about using play, creativity, art, dance, and EMDR in therapy with children through the Project Safe Space program. In her free time, Rachel enjoys rock climbing, reading, and improving her Spanish language skills.
TRAM NGUYEN arrived in the United States from her native Vietnam in 1993 and earned a BA in Theology and Religious Studies with a minor in Sociology as well as a Master’s degree in Organization Development from San Francisco University, California. Tram has developed diverse skills across a broad range of work experiences in different areas of practice, including: project administrator, strategic plan administrator, pastoral support, and mentor/care giver. She has worked locally and internationally with refugees, immigrants, children with HIV, homeless children, domestic violence, and women in recovery.
ABBY EVILSIZOR, LMSW, earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Indiana University with a focus on Spanish and Latino Studies, as well as Social Welfare. In 2018, she completed her Master’s in Social Work from Saint Louis University with a concentration in clinical practice. Prior to joining BIAS, Abby worked with children and youth in foster care. She now serves as a Spanish-speaking clinician on Project Safe Space. Outside of work, Abby enjoys spending time with her dog, doing yoga and traveling
LOUISE ALBANO-HURLEY came to Bilingual International as an MSW practicum student from the Brown School of Social Work at Washington University in St. Louis (MSW, International Social and Economic Development, May 2021). Previously Louise ran an Independent Living Skills program in Phoenix for youth and adults as well as working with transition-age youth in foster care. She has also worked as a high school English teacher in Shanghai. Currently, she is completing her MSW and working in the Social Services Department providing benefits assistance to St. Louis City residents and assisting with data collection and reporting.
JORGE DIAZ ARIAS, MA has worked for many years with Bilingual International and other local and national agencies as a professional Spanish interpreter. Originally from Peru, Jorge came to the United States to further his studies, earning a MA in Marketing from Lindenwood University in 1992. For seven years, he worked as a Board of Immigration Appeals Accredited Representative for the Southern Illinois nonprofit, Immigration Project Inc. He is proud to be in a position to help assist Latino immigrants in many different environments to ensure they receive services.
LIZ RICKS-AHERNE, LMSW received her Master of Social Work degree and Graduate Certificate in Gerontology from Saint Louis University in 2019, with emphases on clinical practice, older adults, end of life, and grief. Liz has spent time living in Germany supporting people with migration backgrounds, worked with grieving children and families, managed translation projects, and published about trauma-informed care. As a Project Safe Space clinician, Liz uses a variety of therapeutic tools to support each person’s unique path toward healing, including art, music, books, writing, and play. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, cooking, gardening, singing, and travel.