Jennifer Patterson – Project Director

Before being seconded to the Partnership for Refugees, Jennifer served as the Communications Director and Acting Director of Corporate and Foundation Partnerships for USA for UNHCR and has deep knowledge of refugee issues. She also has extensive experience directing global communications campaigns and developing public private partnerships from her twelve years at Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide and previous work at Share Our Strength and Reading Is Fundamental.

 
 

Sean Burke – Project Manager

Before being seconded to the Partnership for Refugees, Sean served as Accenture's Management Consulting Lead for International Public Sector Organizations.  In this role, Sean supported Accenture’s global work with the United Nations system—including UNHCR, and UNICEF–and leading IFIs such as the World Bank Group.  Sean has also directed or advised on private sector engagement for partnerships with USAID and MCC such as the Diaspora for Development Initiative, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring our Heroes initiative, and for global coalitions such as Sustainable Energy for All and Solutions for Youth Employment.

 
 

Lekha Ragavendran – Project Specialist

Before being seconded to the Partnership for Refugees, Lekha served as an Accenture strategy consultant for multilateral, nonprofit, and federal organizations. Her experience includes supporting Accenture’s work with the World Bank Group, national nonprofit organizations, and the U.S. Departments of Education and Commerce, among other federal clients. Lekha has significant experience helping establish and develop public-private partnerships at the global, national, and local levels related to education and workforce development, including her work with the Solutions for Youth Employment coalition.

 
 

Ileana Cruz-Marden – Project Assistant

Prior to her role at USA for UNHCR, Ileana served as Aide to Chambers for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor. Before working at the Supreme Court, Ileana worked with ConPRmetidos, a start-up social enterprise that aims to enhance Puerto Rico's economic competitiveness through public-private partnerships focused on youth unemployment, urban resiliency, and diaspora engagement. She has also held positions in the U.S. Senate and the U.S. Trade Representative's Office.