Education Series: Session Wednesday, October 30, 2024 - Immigrants
Meet the Panelists:
Wafic Faour - Palestinian Refugee in Lebanon
Jeetan Khadka, a dedicated advocate for refugees and immigrants, proudly calling Vermont home for the past 16 years. With a decade of community service experience, he currently serves as an Employment and Training Counselor at AALV, where he empowers clients to overcome barriers to self-sufficiency and connect with meaningful job opportunities. Jeetan’s commitment to fostering inclusivity is reflected in his work to improve language accessibility in hiring processes and his role in organizing job fairs to bridge the gap between employers and the community. Previously, Jeetan held leadership positions with AmeriCorps, focusing on cultural competency and youth engagement. His passion for helping others is further demonstrated through his outreach efforts with Spectrum Youth & Family Services, where he supported transition-age young adults, including immigrants and those in rural communities. As a successful entrepreneur, Jeetan also owned and managed two popular Nepali and Indian cuisine restaurants, where he built strong customer relationships and fostered a thriving team.
His diverse experiences and unwavering dedication to his community make Jeetan a valuable asset in advocating for social and economic empowerment.
Virginie Diambou, originally from the Republic of Congo in Africa, resettled in the United States with her family two decades ago. She is a certified radiologist physician who completed her training overseas. In the U.S., Diambou worked for several years in a state medical facility and served in the pediatric department at the University of Vermont. Currently she is Director of the Office of Racial Equity and Community Inclusion at the Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity. In this role, Diambou advances racial equity ethics across CVOEO’s eleven programs, ensuring that all clients have fair access to resources and culturally appropriate services, while also supporting equity initiatives at the state level. Diambou is deeply committed to discussions that promote the recognition and validation of professional licensure.