Uruguay RPCV Darius K. Ellis has been named to head the Nairobi, Kenya office of HIAS, the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society
HIAS Names New Country Director for Kenya Office
NEW YORK – Darius K. Ellis has been named to head the Nairobi, Kenya office of HIAS, the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society.
Mr.Ellis and his staff will work with particularly desperate cases identified by the many non-government organizations (NGOs) and other humanitarian groups active in Kenya. The most stable country in the region, Kenya has for decades taken in refugees escaping conflicts in surrounding nations such as Somalia, Sudan, Ethiopia and Rwanda.
The HIAS Kenya office is funded with money from an anonymous donor, who wanted to fund programs that would help African refugees through a Jewish organization.
Before taking the new role at HIAS, Ellis served as U.S. Program Director for the international nonprofit Trickle Up Program, where he was responsible for guiding and monitoring the program to ensure that Trickle Up reached the lowest-income populations, and that the program
made a significant difference in the lives of low-income people. Mr.Ellis has extensive experience in public service around the world, particularly in the areas of economic and community development and refugee affairs.
“Darius has an amazing background in humanitarian work,” says Rachel Zelon, vice president for international operations at HIAS.“We are thrilled that he’s taking this very important position. He will play an integral role in our global strategy.”
Ellis earned a masters degree in International Affairs from the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London.
His undergraduate qualifications include a B.A. in Economics and a B.A. in Russian Language and Literature. Ellis speaks fluent Russian, Spanish, and has a knowledge of Kartuli and Turkish. Ellis serves on the Board of Directors of the Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO), Beyond Food Coalition, and is a Founding Member of the Minority Peace Corps Association. Ellis also serves voluntarily as a member of the South Bronx Advisory Council for the Women’s Business Resource Center.
