Hear from a panel of experts on the issues surrounding the renewals of Temporary Protected Status for many of the immigrants living in Massachusetts. This group of advocates works closely with individuals to navigate the process for continuing to live in the U.S. while situations in their countries of origin remain difficult and make it impossible for them to return home. The Lenny Zakim Fund Award Bridge Builder Breakfasts bring donors and grantees together to hear from thoughtful leaders and experts on topics that are current and vital to the LZF mission and community. Presented by The Lenny Zakim Fund in Collaboration with Barr Foundation and Hyams Foundation. [www.thelennyzakimfund.org/](http://www.thelennyzakimfund.org/ "thelennyzakimfund.org")
Dr. Geralde Gabeau, IFSI-USA founder and Executive Director, has extensive experience working in public health initiatives, particularly those addressing women and children’s health both in the United States and in Haiti. Her talent for team-building helps bring people together to address the needs of children and families in local communities. Since 2003, she has played various leadership roles in the Haitian community where she developed and directed various programs, supervised staff, ensured effective partnerships, maintained program and fiscal accountability, and managed many federal grants. Image: [www.ifsi-usa.org](https://www.ifsi-usa.org/about-us-1/staff/ "ifsi-usa")
Patricia Montes is the executive director of Centro Presente, one of the longest standing immigrant-led, immigrant rights organizations in Massachusetts. She worked in public relations and communications in both government agencies and non-governmental organizations in Honduras, as well as in television production for over six years. She has served as the Board Chair of the Boston Womens Fund and is currently on the Executive Board of Alianza Américas. She has also been a member of an international human rights mission to Mexico and Central America assembled by Consejería CAMEX which has documented the violations of human rights of migrants in their travels from Central America to the United States.
José A. Palma brings a decade of success fighting for social and economic justice and immigrants’ rights to Justice at Work. José was born in Usulután, El Salvador. He came to the United States in 1998 and has lived in Lynn, MA since 2002. José earned his Associate of Science Degree in Paralegal Studies at North Shore Community College in 2011, which included an internship at Greater Boston Legal Services. Before joining Justice at Work, José was the Political and Organizing Director for Neighbor-To-Neighbor, where he led efforts to combine issue organizing with electoral work. José has also worked with Centro Presente and the Student Immigrant Movement and is the co-founder of the Massachusetts TPS Committee. Image: [jatwork.org](https://jatwork.org/about-us/our-team/ "Jatwork")
Marcela García writes editorials -- the daily unsigned essays representing the official view of the Boston Globe as a community institution -- and is a member of the Globe editorial board. García has been part of the op-ed and editorial pages since early 2014. Previously, she was a correspondent for Telemundo Boston, a special contributor to the Boston Business Journal, and the editor of El Planeta, Boston’s largest Spanish-language publication. Image: [Linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcelagarcia/detail/photo/ "Marcia Garcia")
Pastor Fleurissaint is a vocal advocate for Haitian Americans in Boston (the third largest Haitian community in the US) and beyond, and for the protection of TPS. He is the executive pastor at Mattapan’s Voice of the Tabernacle Church, serving the Haitian Community. Image: [http://voiceofthegospeltabernacle.org](http://voiceofthegospeltabernacle.org/contact/pastor-dieufort-fleurissaint/ "Voice of the Gospel Tabernacle")
Suzi Kaitz serves as Vice Chair, Board of Directors, and Communications Chair of The Lenny Zakim Fund. She has been in counseling and referral for Planned Parenthood for over five years and was the heath, Drug and Alcohol Education Specialist for the Newton Public Schools. Suzi is a communications and marketing professional. She has served as General Manager and Vice president of Kitchen Views/National Lumber. Image: [Linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/in/suzikaitzunlimited/ "Linkedin")
Josh Zakim is an active Board Member of the Lenny Zakim Fund, founded in 1995 by his father and his activist friends, the Fund gives small grants to support local grassroots organizations seeking to address complex social issues. Zakim was elected to the Boston City Council in November 2013. He serves as the Chair of the Committee on Human Rights and Civil Rights. His legislative priorities center around social and economic justice. Image: [www.joshzakim.com](https://www.joshzakim.com/about "www.joshzakim.com")
Jose Urias is a MA business owner and a TPS holder from El Salvador. He is advocating for immigrant rights and TPS recipients.