Upwardly Global’s job seekers and alumni are at the heart of our mission, and their success is what drives our work and passion everyday.
Meet some of the incredible people who are part of our community and learn about their journeys.
Alumni
A New Beginning in the U.S. Caroline Luzze arrived in the United States in July 2017 through the Diversity Visa Lottery. Along with her luggage, she carried with her the […]
- Topics: Alumni Success Stories, Blog, Community Spotlight, News, Stories
From Family Expectations to Personal Dreams On Kahlil Bagatsing’s LinkedIn profile, he describes himself as a nonprofit professional, dream catcher, coach, connector, and community builder. But anyone who has felt […]
- Topics: Alumni Success Stories, Blog, News, Staff Spotlight, Stories
Upwardly Global alumna Vanessa Rosales was recently featured in the New York Amsterdam News article “Threats to immigrant healthcare workers could affect everyone’s care.” The article highlights the growing threats […]
- Topics: Alumni Success Stories, News, News Coverage
An Empty Flight and a New Beginning When Shorena Megrelishvili boarded a nearly empty flight from Munich to the U.S. in August 2020, she had no idea how much her […]
- Topics: Alumni Success Stories, Blog, Community Spotlight, News, Stories
Photo credit: Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times Russian doctor rebuilds career and finds new hope in Chicago When Filipp arrived in Chicago in 2019, he stood at the edge of Lake Michigan […]
- Topics: Alumni Success Stories, Blog, Healthcare, News, Policy, Stories
With Upwardly Global’s support, internationally trained physicians are matching into U.S. residencies and rebuilding their lives in medicine They’ve cared for patients in hospitals, clinics, and conflict zones. They’ve delivered […]
- Topics: Alumni Success Stories, Blog, Healthcare, News, Stories
On June 25, 2025, Upwardly Global held its first Picture Day event at LinkedIn’s San Francisco headquarters — a new initiative designed to provide immigrant and refugee job seekers […]
- Topics: Alumni Success Stories, Blog, News
Ukrainian refugee and English professor rebuilds her teaching career in the U.S. When the war in Ukraine erupted in February 2022, Hanna Dudnik was faced with an unimaginable choice — […]
- Topics: Alumni Success Stories, Blog, News, Stories
Upwardly Global helps Afghan scholar build connections for a brighter future Mimla was part of a new generation of Afghan women receiving a college education. She had earned a U.S. […]
- Topics: Alumni Success Stories, Blog, News, Stories
Belarusian immigrant rebuilds his project management career through Upwardly Global “It’s really hard when you don’t know where to go, and Upwardly Global is guiding you and even pushing you […]
- Topics: Alumni Success Stories, Blog, News, Stories
Doctor from the Dominican Republic brings neurology expertise to Illinois When Johan joined his wife in the U.S. in the spring of 2019, he found himself in a bind. He […]
- Topics: Alumni Success Stories, Blog, News, Stories
Argentine international analyst and father reclaims career in the U.S. Growing up in a military family in Argentina, Santiago was no stranger to changing scenery — but moving his young […]
- Topics: Alumni Success Stories, Blog, News, Stories
Afghan journalist and social worker rebuilds her dream in the U.S. Back in Afghanistan, Marjila wasn’t just a journalist — she was a collector of dreams. She spent four years […]
- Topics: Alumni Success Stories, Blog, News, Stories
Egyptian professional reclaims her career as an auditor at the New York State Department of Labor “I had a job that most people dream of,” Amal reflects, having spent over […]
- Topics: Alumni Success Stories, Blog, News, Stories
Hong Kong-bred Building Surveyor breaks career ground at Prometheus Real Estate Group with support from Upwardly Global Man Yu lives and breathes buildings. After spending 40 years in Hong Kong, […]
- Topics: Alumni Success Stories, Blog, News, Stories
Ghanaian HR professional overcomes challenges to relaunch career with Upwardly Global In Melissa’s first year in the United States, she applied to over 3,000 jobs. A stream of rejection emails […]
- Topics: Alumni Success Stories, Blog, News, Stories
Trinidadian professional jumpstarts U.S. career with Upwardly Global In 2022, Mandy arrived in the U.S. with very few career expectations, but kept hearing one thing repeatedly: She would have to […]
- Topics: Alumni Success Stories, Blog, News, Stories
Vietnamese mother reskills to secure a thriving-wage accounting job with Upwardly Global Anh had to take some time off of work. In 2017, she relocated from Vietnam to Dallas, Texas, […]
- Topics: Alumni Success Stories, Blog, News, Stories
Lyubava, a Ukrainian immigrant, builds career with impact in New York City By the mid-2010s, Lyubava sensed that it was time to leave Ukraine. With tensions escalating between Russia and […]
- Topics: Alumni Success Stories, Blog, News, Stories
International medical graduate featured in Upwardly Global’s latest report fights exclusionary practices in pursuit of providing critical care Ayo is one of the thousands of Illinoisians who are international medical graduates […]
- Topics: Alumni Success Stories, Blog, Healthcare, News, Stories
Lorenzo harnesses his skillset to support other immigrants and refugees at Upwardly Global Lorenzo arrived in the U.S. just before the borders closed in February of 2020. He made a […]
- Topics: Alumni Success Stories, Blog, News, Stories
Upwardly Global empowers Vanessa, an asylee from Venezuela, to restart her medical career at NewYork-Presbyterian Vanessa only had $100 in her pocket when she touched down in New York City, […]
- Topics: Alumni Success Stories, Blog, News, Stories
Afghan women’s rights advocate escapes Taliban rule, restarts cause-driven career in New York City As a young woman in Afghanistan, 27-year-old Farzana stood out. “I was one of those strange […]
- Topics: Alumni Success Stories, Blog, News, Stories
Samah immigrates to support her daughter’s dream, beginning again herself “I love to learn. I can’t stand still and do nothing; it’s not my nature,” says 46-year-old Samah, who moved […]
- Topics: Alumni Success Stories, Blog, News, Stories
After six years in the U.S., Ihor reboots a promising neurology career In 2017, a stint as a boxing champion allowed 35-year-old Ihor to move from Ukraine to Minneapolis, Minnesota, […]
- Topics: Alumni Success Stories, Blog, News, Stories
With Upwardly Global’s support, Juan restarts his advertising career In his native Colombia, 29-year-old Juan never dared to dream of married life as a gay man. But when he arrived […]
- Topics: Alumni Success Stories, Blog, News, Stories
Upwardly Global alum Sofiia flees war and gives back in both the U.S. and Ukraine In February of 2022, Sofiia’s six-year-old daughter was brushing her teeth when explosions first shook […]
- Topics: Alumni Success Stories, Blog, News, Stories
After fleeing war, Berhan lands thriving-wage job as Senior Category Analyst Berhan spent much of her childhood underground. Crouched in bomb shelters underneath her family’s home in the Tigray region […]
- Topics: Alumni Success Stories, Blog, News, Stories
Euromonitor: “I am so grateful for Upwardly Global. They provided me with all the tools and an amazing job coach that helped me to understand the American job market. They […]
Ade, a Beninese immigrant, joined the Upwardly Global family and achieved his professional dreams In 2015, Ade won the lottery. Not the gambling kind — the visa kind. Three years […]
- Topics: Alumni Success Stories, Blog, News, Stories
With support from Upwardly Global, Anastasiia finds work as an IT Recruiter in Long Island, New York After the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February of 2022, Anastasiia, an HR […]
- Topics: Alumni Success Stories, Blog, News, Stories
Despite the yearslong job search, Najma lands career of her dreams When her father passed away in the Somali Civil War, Najma’s mother left the country for Norway when her […]
- Topics: Alumni Success Stories, Blog, News, Stories
With Upwardly Global’s toolbox, Luana found her dream job at San Francisco Public Defender’s Office In 2017, with only her law degree and backpack in hand, Luana, a then 23-year-old […]
- Topics: Alumni Success Stories, Blog, News, Stories
Uprooted from Kabul, welcomed in Pittsburgh “We left everything behind. Our careers, the city that we loved for years, my apartment, my car, everything,” says Jalal. “And then it kind […]
- Topics: Afghan Response, Alumni Success Stories, Blog, News, Stories
“Reaching out to Upwardly Global is a great way to get into the system and navigate your way through. All the resources are here, the opportunities are here; whatever you […]
My father left Afghanistan when Russia ruled during the 1980s. So I was born in Pakistan. Our family from Afghanistan used to visit us for a night or two. The […]
During the Afghan evacuation, we were part of the flights as requested by the US government. We were flying to Abu Dhabi and empty flight back to Kabul. Kabul was […]
We had a night flight on 13 August 2021. Most of the provinces were already collapsed and Taliban took the control. Only two provinces were not in control of Taliban, […]
I remember the day in 2016 that a terrorist attack killed several of my fellow students and professors at the American University of Afghanistan. I wasn’t hurt during the 10-hour […]
From Harvard to NewYork-Presbyterian, Ann tackles new challenges in American academia Ann’s corner office is tidy and practical, warmed by glowing lamplight. She peers to her left, and her monitor’s […]
- Topics: Alumni Success Stories, Blog, News, Stories
Meet Sohaila, a surgeon and Upwardly Global alum from Afghanistan There are 125 students in my medical class. 124 boys and me, one girl. Usually, the patient come to the […]
- Topics: Alumni Success Stories, Blog, News, Stories
I was born to fly. Being a pilot was my great ambition from childhood. When I was playing with my friends, every time I was trying to be a pilot, […]
- Topics: Alumni Success Stories, Blog, News, Stories
“Upwardly Global helped me to feel a sense of community and belonging. I saw that others have walked this path, putting their best foot forward to get what they deserve.” […]
- Topics: Alumni Success Stories, Blog, Community Stories, News, Stories
Dr. Prasolova worked as an anesthesiologist in Moscow and moved to the US at 35 knowing she would have to start over. There were many licensing barriers, including two costly […]
Sura is originally from Iraq, but lived as a refugee in Syria. In Syria, she studied medicine, completed her residency, and practiced medicine as a licensed physician. She resettled in […]
“I found Upwardly Global a very unique support. I can’t even compare— it’s priceless.” Murtaza built a successful career as a monitoring and evaluation expert in Afghanistan, but his work […]
In Iran, Sima earned a degree in architecture, but faced gender discrimination that stalled her career. A friend told Sima about Upwardly Global and connected to a coach that helped […]
In Iraq, Wamidh was a successful IT entrepreneur, opening his own technical support bureau. In 2003, the war erupted, and in 2010, he got the opportunity to come to the […]
Sujan worked in broadcasting in Nepal as a video editor for various television companies. In the U.S., he applied for jobs at many local television companies, but had no luck […]
Zahraa and Hussein worked as doctors in emergency rooms in Iraq. With help from Upwardly Global, they spent three years of transferring paperwork, retaking exams, and interviews. Hussein works as […]
Employer Partners
On July 10, 2025, Upwardly Global convened its Employer Working Group — comprising over 100 national corporations — to discuss cutting-edge technology, evolving immigration policies, and innovative hiring pathways, all […]
Upwardly Global Employer Working Group Meeting Update — January 2025 With significant administrative changes on the horizon that will affect immigrant communities and the American workforce, it’s crucial for employers […]
Upwardly Global Employer Working Group Meeting Update — December 2024 As the Trump administration prepares to make sweeping changes to the U.S. immigration system, Upwardly Global remains committed to supporting […]
- Topics: Donors, Employer Partners, News, Resources for Employers
Upwardly Global launches Upwardly Global Talent, a digital platform designed by and for employers looking to recruit, hire, and connect with immigrant and refugee talent Upwardly Global is thrilled to […]
Made up of over 100 corporations, Upwardly Global’s Employer Working Group aims to engage corporate America to better understand the roadblocks in hiring international talent and to co-create solutions. […]
Upwardly Global’s volunteer program was highlighted in the Newsweek article “Digital Platforms, Global Impact: The Transformative Role of Online Volunteering to Uplift Skilled Immigrants.” The article — authored by longtime […]
- Topics: Employer Partners, Employer Stories, News
Employer Stories
Made up of over 100 corporations, Upwardly Global’s Employer Working Group aims to engage corporate America to better understand the roadblocks in hiring international talent and to co-create solutions. […]
Upwardly Global’s volunteer program was highlighted in the Newsweek article “Digital Platforms, Global Impact: The Transformative Role of Online Volunteering to Uplift Skilled Immigrants.” The article — authored by longtime […]
- Topics: Employer Partners, Employer Stories, News
Euromonitor: “UpGlo not only trained me on how to understand the workplace in the US, but it also gave me the confidence to believe my skills were transferable and I […]
- Topics: Community Stories, Employer Stories
Euromonitor: “I am so grateful for Upwardly Global. They provided me with all the tools and an amazing job coach that helped me to understand the American job market. They […]
Google: “Coming from an immigrant household, I’ve seen firsthand the challenges immigrants face, as well as the resilience and grit with which they meet them. I’m proud that through Google.org […]
- Topics: Community Stories, Employer Stories
New York Presbyterian: So pleased to be part of this community today and to partner with you to bring opportunity to immigrants and refugees. We need their innovation, their talent, […]
- Topics: Community Stories, Employer Stories
Donors
Upwardly Global Employer Working Group Meeting Update — December 2024 As the Trump administration prepares to make sweeping changes to the U.S. immigration system, Upwardly Global remains committed to supporting […]
- Topics: Donors, Employer Partners, News, Resources for Employers
- Topics: Community Stories, Donors
- Topics: Community Stories, Donors