A global health crisis, along with a summer of racial, economic, and political unrest, has made us acutely aware of the systemic barriers that keep opportunity out of reach for many Americans, including newcomers to this country. Since 2000, Upwardly Global has existed to tackle these barriers and to give everyone a fair shot at success.
Twenty years on, two things are clear:
Our mission is as critical as ever, as is our collective work to build a country where all of us have equal opportunity based on our ability to contribute and not our place of origin, ethnicity, race, or religion.
Beyond being the “right thing to do,” advancing inclusion is the only way forward. Re-opening our communities and facing the challenges ahead means leveraging the skills and strengths of our diverse society.
Upwardly Global is redoubling our efforts on both counts.
As we write this, we’re enhancing our core coaching program and positioning our community for success with a focus on high-demand fields and skills. Partnerships make this work possible:
We are drilling down on the most sought after skills and high opportunity career pathways in a fast changing job market.
We are deepening mentorship programs with Google and Standard Charter Bank volunteers.
Offering stipends to those job seekers most in need to take on work-based employment opportunities and engage in up/reskilling, gaining invaluable hands-on U.S. experience to enhance their employability and networks.
Here’s what the work looks like, by the numbers:
Read about what we’ve accomplished together in the UpDate below. Thank you for continuing to be a part of our work and mission.
Jina Krause-Vilmar President & CEO
Stories of Success
“The United States needs more international health-care professionals like me — especially since bilingual clinicians are necessary to fight a virus that disproportionately affects immigrants and communities of color.”
Upwardly Global alumna Monica Yulieth Hinestroza Jordan penned this powerful op-ed, sharing the struggles of rebuilding her healthcare career in the U.S. during COVID-19, despite bringing impressive credentials and experience from her native Colombia.
There are 165,000 internationally-trained healthcare professionals in the U.S. who are not currently working in the sector. Learn more about our efforts to connect people like Monica with employers who need their skills.
Get Involved
We’re gearing up to celebrate two decades of Upwardly Global at our first-ever virtual Gala, Building a Stronger America for All on November 12, preceded by a 20-part #ImmigrantsAreUs countdown campaign that highlights prominent voices supporting our vital work with immigrants and refugees. We thank New American Economy for becoming our official event partner.
Join us by saving the date – and reserving your space at this event. We’re inviting our community to organize socially-distanced watch parties during the evening of the event, committing to fundraising to support our work and mission, and to spreading the word on social media. To learn about sponsorships and other ways to support the event, click here or contact Aditi Shah.
Advocacy Update
Recent weeks have seen two promising federal developments for our community.
On August 14, Rep. John Katko (R-NY 24) and Rep. Ben McAdams (D-UT 4) introduced the Improving Opportunities for New Americans Act of 2020, a bill that recommends a federal-level study to understand and address employment barriers for immigrant and refugee professionals.
And on August 25, United States Customs and Immigration Services (USCIS) cancelled long-looming plans to furlough thousands of their national staff, a move that would have compromised work permits and other essential immigration forms for hundreds of our program alumni, job seekers, and their families.
We’re delighted to welcome Josh Winters, Director of Skills for Employability at Microsoft, to our Board of Directors. Josh joins board members who joined within the last year, Tammi Ling, partner and co-head of the New York office Oliver Wyman, and Vivek Vaidya, co-founder and general partner at Super{set} Venture Studio. Welcome to the Upwardly Global Family!
Communications Updates
Throughout the summer, Upwardly Global has been busy making headlines and changing narratives about immigrant contributions to the U.S. Please read these and share on social media, tagging Upwardly Global and help us to spread the word!
“The United States needs more international health-care professionals like me — especially since bilingual clinicians are necessary to fight a virus that disproportionately affects immigrants and communities of color.” 
We’re gearing up to celebrate two decades of Upwardly Global at our first-ever virtual Gala, 
Recent weeks have seen two promising federal developments for our community. 
