Executive Director
Abigail Sui
Abigail, who is from the Chin community, was one of the original volunteers that helped to launch EMBARC and has since worked her way up to Executive Director. Abigail holds an MRE (Master of Religious Education) from Bangalore, India, and graduated from DMACC with a Human Services degree. Abigail worked for the International Rescue Committee (IRC) in Malaysia, where the UNHCR office is located, for over four years as an Interpreter Team Leader, overseeing the interpreter program and supervising 40+ interpreters; in addition—leading phone operators to ensure U.S resettlement interviews for 100 families daily before settling in the U.S. in 2013.
Director of Grants and Development
Moriah Morgan
Moriah has worked for EMBARC for over 5 years, primarily as a development and grants specialist. In her time she has also done extensive management of the Access Center and direct services. Moriah holds an MA in Cultural Anthropology and a BS in Global Resource Systems. Moriah has also worked for United Way of Story County where she was the Associate Director of Community Impact, focusing on health equity and financial stability for the overall county.
Director of Operations and Finance
Jeanine Rutter
Jeanine is the Director of Operations and Finance and has been with EMBARC for over 8 years and in the accounting field for over 25 years. With a bachelors degree in Social Work and Sociology and a Masters degree in Labor & Industrial Relations/Personnel Management, Jeanine oversees the finances and operations of the organization. Jeanine also co-coordinate the monthly food pantry.
Crisis and Advocacy Program Manager
Dim Muan Kim
Dim Muan Kim, our Crisis and Advocacy Program Manager will oversee survivor related case management and education. Dim, who is from the Chin community, has worked with EMBARC since 2022 exclusively within the Crisis and Advocacy program which she supported through the fallout of the pandemic. Dim holds a MPH from the University of Adelphi, New York and Bachelor of Nursing Science from the University of Nursing, Mandalay in Myanmar. She worked as a registered and clinical nurse in Burma before coming to the US.
Lead Parent Navigator
Iris Tun
Lead Parent Navigator Iris Tun is a founding member of the organization and has been with EMBARC for over 13 years. She has shown her dedication to advancing the organization's mission and consistently supporting the community. In her position, Iris assists in communications and coordination of the Early Childhood Parent Navigator program and its participants.
Crisis and Advocacy Program Coordinator
Grace Htee
Grace Htee is a member of the Karen community in Des Moines and immigrated to the United States in 2007. She coordinates community events to improve access to healthcare, advocates for crime victims, and provides wrap-around case management services to empower and promote self-sufficiency in Iowa's Burmese communities.
Community Navigator
Grace Lee Nathan
Grace was born in Burma and raised in a refugee camp in Thailand. She immigrated to the US in 2009 and moved to Des Moines in 2013. Since Grace has settled in Des Moines has served to be a constant support and advocate for the Karenni community. In her role, Grace supports all programs in providing interpretation and advocacy support.
Communications and Interpreting Service Coordinator
Ruth Fifield
With a marketing background, Ruth manages communication requests and leads research projects to ensure our community receives the language support it needs. She takes pride in working for an organization founded by refugees and is constantly learning how to better serve the diverse communities EMBARC supports.
Early Childhood Parent Navigator Program Manager
Lal Muani
Arriving in the US in 2012, Muani faced the challenges of cultural shock and adapting to new parenting norms. These experiences fueled her passion for supporting other families navigating similar transitions through managing programs and creating valuable resources. As a program manager, Muani focuses on child development, parenting, and community-based support services for refugee parents to increase their knowledge of Western parenting norms.
Education and Communications Coordinator
Julissa Garcia
Julissa is our Education and Communications Coordinator and leads the Access Center. Julissa came to EMBARC after working in a COVID testing center during the height of the pandemic where she served as the Client Services Manager. Julissa has been with EMBARC since 2022 and holds a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communications.