Full name: Teddi Jallow
Current title & company: Executive Director, Refugee Dream Center (Providence, RI)
Brief description of who you are professionally with concise accomplishments:
I am Co-Founder and Executive Director of Refugee Dream Center. My husband and I are former refugees from The Gambia and founded RDC to help support other refugees as they are resettled in the US and adjust to life in America. Today, we serve and advocate for over 4,000 refugees, asylum-seekers, and immigrants.
Why did I join TWT and what are you hoping to achieve?:
I joined TWT to connect with other women who are leaders in their fields, and to learn more from other women like me who are in similar positions or who work in similar areas.
One of my most proud professional moments and what are you most looking forward to professionally the next five years:
One of my proudest professional moments is addressing the United Nations High Commission for Refugees in Geneva, Switzerland, where I advocated for refugees’ rights and the support of refugees being resettled. I was able to highlight the success of refugees who resettled in the United States and how important it is for countries to support refugees and immigrants.
I’m looking forward to developing more leadership skills and connecting with women leaders in the New England area.
What do I do in my “free” time?: In my free time, I love to cook.
3 core values:
1. My religion and culture – they taught me how to be a good human being and they both drive me to serve my community, and do the work that I do today in helping other people to succeed.
2. Resilience – I am resilient because I am a refugee who has survived trauma and came to a new country and had to start from scratch to build myself to where I am today. Resilience is crucial to my journey.
3. Honesty – as a leader, I value truthfulness and transparency in communication and actions.
Fun Fact: I love to travel. I’ve been to several countries inAfricaandEurope, and am excited to continue to travel more.