Executive Team
Lindsey Smith, Founder and President
A Minneapolis native with dual specialties in adult and geriatric medicine, she brings more than a decade of humanitarian and medical leadership to her work. As the former President of the Minnesota Chapter of the Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS), she led record-breaking fundraising campaigns to support refugees and displaced populations worldwide.
Her global impact includes board service with the SAMS Mental Health Committee, CISPOS, and the SAMS Global Response Board, where she helped coordinate emergency responses to major crises including hurricane relief in Texas and Puerto Rico, the Rohingya crisis, the war in Yemen, and refugee and migrant emergencies across Eastern Europe.
Lindsey’s fieldwork spans Iraq, Bosnia, Palestine, Jordan, Egypt, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic. She managed 11 refugee clinics along the Syrian Lebanese border and now partners with initiatives in Egypt supporting people affected by the crises in Gaza and Sudan.
Her work has earned her the EveryDay Hero Award from Sun Country Airlines, KSTP-TV, and KS95, as well as a Humanitarian Award from Harvard University. A lifelong advocate and devoted mother, Lindsey continues to drive global humanitarian initiatives that deliver tangible, lasting change for the world’s most vulnerable communities.
Fouzi Slisli, Vice President
A scholar, activist, and cultural leader whose
work bridges education, social justice, and the arts. Originally from
Morocco, he holds an MA and PhD in Literature from the University of Essex in the United Kingdom and has taught at universities around the world, including St. Cloud State University, the University of Minnesota, and King Faisal University. His teaching and writing explore how literature shapes our understanding of race, empire, and social change.
Now serving as Associate Director of the Afghan Cultural Society of Minnesota, Dr. Slisli leads programs that help refugee families navigate education, healthcare, and community life as they rebuild their futures in the United States. His lifelong dedication to justice and human dignity is reflected in both his academic and community work.
Beyond the classroom, Dr. Slisli has made a lasting impact in arts and culture. He curated the Minneapolis Arab Film Festival, directed student theatre performances, and served on the board of Mizna, a nationally recognized Arab American arts organization. His published research includes influential works on Frantz Fanon, postcolonial thought, and the cultural and political history of the Arab world.
As the Vice President of Rise Up Humanity, Dr. Slisli brings deep
experience in cross-cultural understanding and social advocacy to
support people displaced by war and disaster. His commitment to
amplifying marginalized voices aligns powerfully with the
organization’s work helping Gazan and Sudanese refugees in Egypt rebuild their lives with hope and dignity.
Lebanon Team
Bilal Bsisi, Project Coordinator
Bilal holds a diploma in Engineering from a technical institute in Syria. He joined RUH as a volunteer in early 2021, where his contributions have been instrumental in supporting various humanitarian initiatives.
Initially, Bilal assisted with packing and distributing food and goods to families in need. His commitment to helping others soon expanded into the educational realm, where he became an Arabic teacher in the classes offered by RUH. In addition to teaching, Bilal played an important role in supervising and caring for children during out-of-camp activities, ensuring their safety and well-being.
Bilal's diverse skill set and dedication have made him an essential member of the RUH team, deeply committed to serving the refugee community and supporting vulnerable populations.
Domestic Team
Robert McDonald, Director of Research & President of the DC chapter
Robert is a peacebuilder and policy advocate with a Master of Arts in Peace Studies from the University of San Diego and a graduate certificate in Mediation and Conflict Resolution. With a diverse background in government affairs, international development, and humanitarian work, Robert has dedicated his career to fostering peace and advancing democratic governance globally.
He has extensive experience in global conflict resolution, having worked in Sudan, Malawi, and Zambia, where he focused on strengthening institutions and supporting civil society. Robert has also led initiatives in legislative reform, planning, and facilitating regional and local dialogues in countries including North Macedonia, Colombia, and Iraq.
Earlier in his career, Robert served in the United States House of Representatives and was an election observer for the Committee on House Administration during the 2020 election. His work is driven by a deep commitment to advancing human rights, humanitarian aid, and the protection of vulnerable populations worldwide.
Micaela Magazzu-Alaman, Creative Engagement Strategist and President of the San Diego Chapter
Micaela is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) deeply committed to community advocacy, social justice, and mental health. Her work is grounded in principles of equity, cultural humility, and a liberation-oriented approach that honors each individual’s unique experiences while challenging systemic barriers to well-being.
In addition to her clinical work, Micaela is an active advocate for social justice, particularly in supporting immigrants and refugees. She has provided essential resources and education, built culturally relevant partnerships, and assisted survivors of domestic violence. Micaela has also contributed to the San Diego Refugee Forum, participated in the domestic violence task force, and collaborated with community organizations to strengthen support networks for underserved populations.
At Rise Up Humanity, Micaela plays a key role in developing impactful outreach strategies, coordinating fundraising initiatives, and producing visually engaging communications to advance the organization’s mission. Driven by a strong commitment to equity, Micaela works tirelessly to amplify the voices of vulnerable communities and ensure they receive the resources and support needed to thrive.
Dr. Panicha McGuire, Media Marketing Strategist and Coordinator
Panicha is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and a Registered Play Therapist with nearly a decade of experience supporting children, teens, and young adults, especially those navigating neurodiversity. She specializes in creating individualized therapeutic approaches that help clients build emotional resilience, improve coping skills, and develop self-awareness.
Beyond her clinical work, Panicha is a strong advocate for families fleeing war and conflict. She uses her skills in videography and social media management to raise awareness about the challenges these families face. By creating impactful content and managing online outreach, Panicha helps amplify the voices of refugees and educate the public about the importance of supporting displaced families.
Panicha’s advocacy efforts are rooted in a deep commitment to social justice and the belief that storytelling and community engagement can drive meaningful change. She remains dedicated to improving mental health awareness and supporting vulnerable communities through her volunteer work and professional practice.
Eriq Vargas, Community Outreach, Partnerships, and Advocacy Specialist
Eriq is a dedicated activist, community organizer, and passionate advocate for human rights and social justice. With a strong focus on analyzing systems of power, decolonial studies, and the role of language and narrative in shaping human rights, he brings a critical and intersectional perspective to his work.
Currently, Eriq serves as a Campaign Manager, working to reduce stigma around mental health and substance use within San Diego’s diverse refugee communities. His work is grounded in a deep commitment to fostering equitable access to resources and support for marginalized populations.
Eriq holds a Master’s in Peace and Justice from the Kroc School of Peace Studies at the University of San Diego, as well as a Bachelor’s in Political Science from Chapman University. He also volunteers with RUH, where he serves as both a Community Outreach and Partnerships Specialist and an Advocacy and Communications Coordinator, furthering his commitment to social change and advocacy.
Vi O'Connor, Secretary and Internal Operations Specialist
Vi has over a decade of experience in the mental health field, with the past four years dedicated to community action. She previously served as both the Academic Chair and Historian Chair within a women's organization focused on resisting oppression and advocating for freedom. In these roles, Vi empowered individuals to find their voice, advocate for their needs, and address the root causes of their well-being. Her work emphasized balancing academic pressures with collective care, fostering cultural awareness, and creating supportive spaces for self-empowerment and growth.
Currently, Vi continues her commitment to community action as a member of Rise Up Humanity, where she serves vulnerable populations, including refugee communities.
A licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Vi specializes in inner child healing and intergenerational trauma, offering compassionate telehealth therapy to AAPNHPI and BIPOC individuals on their journey to emotional wellness. Her therapeutic approach blends eco-therapy and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)—an attachment-based framework that promotes self-exploration and personal growth. Vi is dedicated to helping clients navigate emotional challenges, build resilience, and uncover pathways to healing and thriving in a safe, nurturing environment.
Allison Barton, Social Media Strategist
Allison is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) with over a decade of experience in mental health, specializing in trauma recovery, anxiety management, and overcoming perfectionism. She takes a trauma-informed, culturally sensitive approach to therapy, guiding women through their healing journeys and helping them release shame and reclaim their sense of self. As an EMDR-certified therapist, Allison is passionate about supporting women as they heal from trauma and build emotional resilience.
Outside of her clinical work, Allison is deeply committed to social justice and advocacy. She is an active member of Rise Up Humanity, where she focuses on supporting refugee families displaced by violence. Allison believes that community engagement and collective action are essential for creating meaningful, lasting social change.
In her role at Rise Up Humanity, Allison manages the organization’s Instagram account, using it as a platform to raise awareness, encourage donations, and amplify the voices of vulnerable populations. Through her work, she strives to shed light on issues such as violence and corruption, with the goal of inspiring others to take action and contribute to positive change for refugee communities.
Kristen Ackerman, Creative Design Specialist and Communication Support
Kristen is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) providing therapeutic services to children, teens, and adults. She specializes in supporting individuals navigating anxiety, chronic illness, and highly sensitive traits. Kristen embraces the diverse backgrounds, cultures, and identities of her clients, recognizing how intersecting forms of discrimination uniquely influence each person’s experiences. She is dedicated to creating a safe, supportive environment that fosters healing and personal growth.
In addition to her clinical work, Kristen is committed to social justice, advocacy, and allyship. She continually educates herself about global humanitarian crises and actively engages in community efforts to support oppressed communities.
At Rise Up Humanity, Kristen contributes to crafting materials that are both informative and inspiring, advancing the organization’s mission while cultivating action. She also uses her social media platform to raise awareness, elevate refugee voices, and motivate change.
Kristen’s work reflects her belief in the power of compassion, empowerment, and collective action to promote a world grounded in empathy and inclusion.