Basma Alawee, John Caulfield, and Laura Cook

About the Speaker

Bamsa Alawee is the National Campaign Director for We Are All America at National Partnership for New Americans, Basma oversees organizing efforts in 21 states to push for policy changes and support for refugee communities. But her impact doesn’t stop there. In 2019, she founded Weavetales, an organization that develops storytelling training programs and amplifies the voices of over 300 refugees and immigrants. She is also an Honorary Delegate with the Refugee Congress and serves on the US Refugee Advisory Board. 

John Caulfield is a former career American diplomat who managed some of the most complex relations in Latin America for the United States, most recently as Chief of the US Interests Section in Havana, Cuba. While in Cuba, Mr. Caulfield negotiated pragmatic agreements on immigration, environmental protection, civil aviation and cultural affairs. He also supported the aspirations of ordinary Cubans for political rights and economic opportunities in a difficult environment. 

Laura Cook is the Director of Refugee Resettlement at Lutheran Social Services of Northeast Florida. She leads the resettlement team, and manages the state funded contract for refugee services in Jacksonville. In 2022, the Jacksonville Business Journal listed Laura  of the 40 Under 40 award recipients for her efforts in the refugee field. Laura attended Eastern University for her Bachelor’s Degree and Liberty University for her master’s degree.