Suzanne Akhras

Suzanne Akhras
Born	Syria
Education	Master's degree
Alma mater	Lewis University
Occupations	Philanthropist, Community Activist
Known for	Syrian Refugee Rights Activism
Notable work	Founder of Syrian Community Network (SCN)
Spouse	Dr. Zaher Sahloul
Children	3
Website	www.suzanneforil.com

Suzanne Akhras is a Syrian-American Humanitarian Activist and Politician, known for her strong support for Syrian refugees. ^{[1] [2] [3]} She is the founder and CEO of the Syrian Community Network (SCN), a non-profit organization based in Chicago, Illinois. ^{[4] [5] [6]}

Early life and education

Suzanne Akhras was born in Homs, Syria to a U.S. educated Syrian father and a Canadian mother. Her family migrated to the U.S. when she was 10 years old. ^[7] After completing her initial education, she earned an Associate of Arts degree from Moraine Valley Community College in 1991. ^[8] In 1995, she obtained a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Illinois Chicago. Later, in 2012, she earned a Master's Degree in Organizational Leadership from the Lewis University. From 2013 to 2017, she pursued executive education in Nonprofit Management from the Kellogg School of Management, at Northwestern University. ^[9]

Career

Akhras started her career as a humanitarian activist in 2004 by joining Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS) as a volunteer and helped found the 501(c)(3) charitable arm of the organization and served as the foundation's first president. ^{[10] [11] [12]}

In 2015, she founded the Syrian Community Network (SCN) in response to the Syrian refugee crisis, which began in 2011. ^{[13] [14]} SCN assists Syrian refugees with their post resettlement needs, providing services such as language assistance, education, and cultural integration programs.

Beyond her role at SCN, Akhras actively serves on multiple boards. She currently serves as the President of the Illinois Community for Displaced Immigrants. Akhras also serves on the Council of Leasers of DuPage Federation on Human Services. ^{[15] [16] [17] [18]}

Politics

In December 2023, it was announced that Akhras will be running as Primary Democratic Candidate for Illinois House of Representatives District 82 in 2024 Elections. ^{[19] [20]}

Recognitions

In 2017, she has received humanitarian awards from UNICEF Chicago and the Illinois Coalition for Immigrants and Refugee Rights for her contributions. ^[21] She was also chosen to serve and continues to serve as a Sisters on the Planet Ambassador through Oxfam America. ^[22] In 2020, she was inducted into the Moraine Valley Alumni Hall of Fame. ^[8] In 2022, she received the Nation of Neighbors Award. ^[23]

Personal life

Akhras has been married to Dr. Zaher Sahloul and the couple have 3 children. ^[24]

References

1. Conway, Sarah (2017-02-20). "Suzanne Akhras Sahloul on the Muslim Ban's impact on the Syrian community". Borderless Magazine . Retrieved 2024-04-24.
2. Cherney, Elyssa (2018-04-14). "Syrians in Chicago react to U.S. bombings: 'Just a slap on the wrist'". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2024-04-24.
3. Elaine, Pasquini (2018-10-23). "Syrian Refugee Resettlement: Successes and Shortcomings". wrmea.org. Retrieved 2024-04-24.
4. "Suzanne Akhras, Founder & Co-Executive Director". Syrian Community Network. Retrieved 2024-04-24.
5. McCabe, Coco (2016-09-16). "This community network helps Syrian refugees feel like they have 'a second family'". Oxfamamerica. Retrieved 2024-04-24.
6. Dudek, Mitch (2015-11-18). "Pro-Syrian refugee activists invite Gov. Rauner to talk". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved 2024-04-24.
7. Alfaro, Mariana; Fishman, David (2016-04-06). "Despite anti-immigrant sentiment from politicians, refugees continue migrating to state". The Daily Northwestern. Retrieved 2024-04-24.
8. "Refugee Network Founder Inducted into Moraine Valley Alumni Hall of Fame". Moraine Valley Community College -. 2020-02-28. Retrieved 2024-04-24.
9. "International Center for Law and Religion Studies | Suzanne Akhras Sahloul" . Retrieved 2024-04-24.
10. Conway, Sarah (2015-12-17). "The Power of Hospitality: An Interview with Chicago's Advocate for Giving Syrian Refugees a Second Chance". NewCity. Retrieved 2024-04-24.
11. Bowen, Caroline (2017-01-23). "Syria advocates call for more than retweeting". The Columbia Chronicle. Retrieved 2024-04-24.
12. "Our Board of Directors – ICDI" . Retrieved 2024-04-24.
13. "Interview with Suzanne Akhras Sahloul, founder of the Syrian Community Network". arcsyria.org. Retrieved 2024-04-24.
14. Saleh, Maryam (2016-10-19). "Resilient Syrians could use community support". Medill Reports Chicago. Retrieved 2024-04-24.
15. Foertsch McKinney, Maureen (2016-02-11). "Illinois Issues: Refugees Seek A Haven In Troubled Times". NPR Illinois. Retrieved 2024-04-24.
16. Schamisso, Ben (2023-02-09). "A Syrian American couple helps with aid after deadly earthquake". Scripps News (SNEWS). Retrieved 2024-04-24.
17. Healy, Vikki Ortiz (2018-01-16). "Syrian family reunited in Chicago awaits green cards". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2024-04-24.
18. Sahloul, Suzanne Akhras (2021-01-15). "Chicago: Embracing Refugees for the Good of All". globalaffairs.org. Retrieved 2024-04-24.
19. "Suzanne Akhras". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2024-04-24.
20. Giuliani, David (2023-12-05). "Burr Ridge Area Lawmaker Resigns After 10 Months". Burr Ridge, IL Patch. Retrieved 2024-04-24.
21. Gillespie, Becky Beaupre (2017-11-03). "UNICEF Humanitarian Award Honors Maria Woltjen for 'Commitment to Putting Children First'". www.law.uchicago.edu. Retrieved 2024-04-30.
22. Gladstone, Rick (2015-09-16). "Charities Say U.S. Should Take Tens of Thousands of Syrians". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved 2024-04-30.
23. Bowers, Amber (2022-11-18). "Syrian Community Network". The Royal Neighbor Magazine. Retrieved 2024-04-24.
24. Kapos, Shia; Hurst, Adrienne (2019-08-22). "LIGHTFOOT VS. CTU — WALSH VS. TRUMP? — CITY TO CHURCHES: Pay for trash pick-up". Politico . Retrieved 2024-04-30.