Avigail Ziv serves as Chief Program Officer at Upwardly Global, bringing over 20 years of experience in refugee resettlement and immigrant support services. Since joining in 2023 as Vice President of Programs, Avi has played a pivotal role in guiding our expansive programs team, including direct service, employer engagement, product innovation, and strategic initiatives. Her deep programmatic expertise and commitment to job seekers have been central to our continued success.
Prior to Upwardly Global, Avi spent nearly ten years as Executive Director of the International Rescue Committee (IRC) in New York and New Jersey, where she led a team of more than 175 staff members. Under her leadership, the IRC saw significant growth in both programming and revenue, and she forged impactful partnerships with government agencies, corporations, and community-based organizations.
Her earlier career includes key roles at IRC’s Ethiopia country office as Deputy Director and at its New York headquarters as Program Officer. Avigail also held positions at FHI 360, the UN Global Compact, NARAL Pro-Choice New York, and other global and grassroots organizations focused on public health, development, and human rights. Her ability to scale impact while centering community voices makes her uniquely equipped to lead Upwardly Global into its next chapter.
Avigail holds dual master’s degrees in Public Administration and Public Health from Columbia University, and a Bachelor of Arts from Barnard College. With her strategic acumen and deep-rooted dedication to immigrant inclusion, she continues to advance Upwardly Global’s mission, ensuring that immigrants and refugees have the tools to thrive in the U.S. workforce.
