HIAS Names Shelly Pitterman Senior Vice President for Programs

HIAS, the global Jewish nonprofit that protects refugees, is pleased to announce the appointment of Shelly Pitterman as senior vice president for programs, effective February 6, 2017. Pitterman, who will be based in HIAS headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland, will oversee all of the organization’s domestic and global programs as he takes over for outgoing vice president Sussan Khozouri.

“I first met Shelly 20 years ago when he was the head of the resettlement section at UNHCR Headquarters in Geneva, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to have him on board at HIAS,” said HIAS CEO and President Mark Hetfield. “Shelly’s wealth of experience, leadership and fortitude will serve the organization well as we aspire to assist refugees during this challenging period.”

Pitterman has many years of experience in senior positions with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, including, most recently, as the Representative of the High Commissioner to the United States and the Caribbean. He also served in several other leadership positions at UNHCR, including as Director of Human Resources Management and as the Director of the Regional Service Center for East Africa, the Great Lakes and the Horn of Africa. Pitterman also headed numerous UNHCR offices in sub-Saharan Africa.

“After serving with UNHCR for so long, I couldn't imagine a better place to continue working with and for refugees,” said Pitterman. “I am proud to join HIAS, a great agency enriched by years of experience and deep roots in the Jewish community, especially during this critical time for refugee protection in the United States and around the world.”  

Pitterman was born and raised in New York City, is a graduate of Brandeis University, and holds a Ph.D. in political science from Northwestern University.

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