In January 2023, we welcomed Aerlande Wontamo as World Relief’s new Senior Vice President of U.S. Programs. She recently sat down with us to share how her professional expertise, personal experience and strong sense of calling have uniquely prepared her for this role.
We hope you enjoy hearing from Aerlande as much as we did!
Can you start by telling us a little about yourself and your story?
I’m originally from Ethiopia but grew up in Nairobi, Kenya. Due to a political crisis, my father went to Kenya as a refugee. A little over two years later, my two siblings, mother and I followed. The separation at a young age and understanding what that meant for my mother as the sole breadwinner who was managing three young kids made a profound impact on me.
In Nairobi, my parents had other refugees over for lunch and dinner every Sunday after church. It wasn’t so much that they needed a meal, but that they needed to not think about being a refugee for one afternoon. The integral role of the church and the impact those interactions have on people was something I deeply understood and drew me to World Relief.
You have almost 15 years of experience in refugee resettlement. What have you learned along the way?
We set people up well when we walk alongside them in intentional community and provide wraparound services. However, one of the biggest red flags I’ve seen over the years is the mentality of saviorism. It’s crucial to acknowledge that while refugees may carry the label “refugee,” it doesn’t encompass their entire identity. They bring a multitude of skills and experiences, and our lives are often enriched through our interactions with them.
What do you think sets World Relief apart?
At World Relief, we look at what we do not just as good work, but as a space we are called to be in as Jesus would be. Grounding ourselves in our biblical mission helps us understand that we’re part of God’s big picture and vision.
An important question I like to ask is, “Where does your joy come from, or what grounds you?” If it is in accomplishments like getting a grant or opening an office, that’s very fleeting. I find deep joy in being called to this work because it is truly a privilege to be part of God’s work.
We talk a lot about building welcoming communities. Why is that important?
That’s really a personal value for me — as a human, I need community to thrive. But community is not birthed out of just being in a space. There’s an intentional, relational investment.
I think about a client I had who was a single mother with three kids under seven. We matched her with two volunteers who, every Saturday, would take her kids to dance class because they had so much energy. But once their six months of volunteering ended, they continued to meet with her and became family, not because they needed to do things to help her be successful, but because they extended friendship to her and her daughters.
World Relief has been resettling refugees and serving immigrants since the 1970s, but you’re the first SVP of U.S. Programs who has lived experience as a refugee. How does that shape the way you lead?
I have grown up in this system in terms of both a lived experience and a professional career, and this is deeply embedded in my DNA. Growing up in a church filled with a transient refugee community informs who I am and how I hold space.
I’m a huge believer in diversity and all aspects of it. I think about women’s representation, people of color, immigrant voices, people with lived experiences. There are so many categories that we can pull from, but we must come from the mindset of, “this allows us to build a greater group,” versus thinking, “now I have to check off this item.” As an organization, it takes boldness to move in that direction, and there’s so much value that can come out of it.
Where do you see World Relief’s U.S. programs headed in the next year?
I always say, “If not us, then who?” Programmatically we have resettled about 9.3% of the refugees arriving in the U.S. every year. If 125,000 refugees come in this year, we are looking at resettling around 13,000. Growth is integral — we must look at investing in new ways of supporting churches and communities who want to walk alongside refugees and other immigrants and in building more sustainable models that set up our offices to be successful.
Now to end on a fun one — do you have any hidden talents?
That’s the hardest question of all! I enjoy a good baking challenge. Recently, I made French macarons, not sure if it’s a talent yet — but maybe one day!
Want to learn more about how World Relief’s U.S. Programs are creating change in the lives of refugees, other immigrants and the communities that welcome them around the country?
Meghan Gallagher is a Seattle-based freelance content writer and strategist. She has a B.S. in Marketing Management and a background in digital marketing for healthcare, nonprofit, and higher education organizations. When she’s not writing, you can find her working as a local bookseller and enjoying all the Seattle area has to offer.
Kelly Hill is the Senior Content Writer at World Relief. She previously served as Volunteer Services Manager at World Relief Triad in North Carolina. With a background in International and Intercultural Communication, she is passionate about the power of story to connect people of diverse experiences.