After seven years of leadership, Jina Krause-Vilmar has stepped down as CEO of Upwardly Global. Under her tenure, the organization grew its reach, strengthened partnerships, advanced employer engagement, and accelerated investments in AI to better serve job seekers. Her vision and dedication helped position Upwardly Global as a national leader in enabling skilled immigrants and refugees to re-enter their professional careers.
As the organization begins the search for its next CEO, Steven Ostler has been appointed Interim CEO. Steven’s commitment to refugee and immigrant communities runs deep. In 2013, he co-founded One Refugee, a nonprofit dedicated to helping young adult refugees succeed in higher education and meaningful careers, supporting more than 400 students toward lifelong economic mobility and civic contribution. Since joining Upwardly Global’s board in 2019, first as an advisor and later as vice chair, he has championed the organization’s work to dismantle barriers for internationally trained professionals and connect them with employers who recognize their skills and potential.
“Upwardly Global is the leading organization in the United States dedicated to helping mid- and high-skilled refugees and immigrants continue and thrive in their professional careers,” said Ostler. “Our job seekers are talented, experienced, and ready to contribute meaningfully to the workforce and the economic growth of our country. As the needs of job seekers and employers evolve, so too does our mission. We are continually adapting to better serve those we support and those who benefit from hiring them.”
Upwardly Global remains steadfast in its mission to remove barriers to professional employment for immigrants and refugees and to ensure their talents are fully recognized in the American workforce. Building upon a strong foundation, this next chapter will focus on deepening our impact and expanding opportunities for the communities we serve. The search for our next CEO is underway and will be guided by our commitment to strong leadership in service of this mission.
