ABOUT OVERCOMERS' STAFF
Overcomers Refugee Services is committed to providing services through case workers who have themselves experienced the dislocation and trauma of forced migration, and who have transformed themselves from refugee to United States citizens.
Both of our case managers came to the US as refugees after being forced to leave their homelands because their lives were at risk. They grew up in cultures similar to the cultures of origin of the people Overcomers serves. They faced similar challenges when they arrived in this community. They understand what new arrivals face. They are members of the refugee communities that Overcomers serves but they are also established members of their New Hampshire community.
This shared experience helps make Overcomers a place where New Americans feel comfortable asking for help and where they know that they will be understood.
STAFF BIOS
CLEMENT KIGUGU
DANIEL MASIMANGO
DANIEL MASIMANGO
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Clement Kigugu is the Executive Director at Overcomers Refugees Services. Mr. Kigugu has a broad range of experiences in the areas of social service, employment, medical interpretation, and case management.
Clement has diverse experiences supporting refugees, immigrants, and low-income families. Besides English, Mr. Kigugu speaks Kinyarwanda, French, Swahili, Kirundi, Lingala, and other Congolese languages.
Mr. Kigugu also has a decade worth of non-profit experiences in Rwanda, Africa. Mr. Kigugu has a degree in Management from University Libre de Kigali (ULK), Africa, and is a trained and certified medical interpreter.
DANIEL MASIMANGO
DANIEL MASIMANGO
DANIEL MASIMANGO
CASE MANAGER
Daniel was born in Eastern Congo. When Daniel was about 5 years old in 1999, his family fled to Tanzania – a neighboring country - to escape the deadly conflict and ethnic persecution. Daniel and his family stayed in a refugee camp in Tanzania for 17 years before being resettled to the United States in September 2016.
Before becoming a case manager at Overcomers Refugee Services, Daniel worked at Concord Walmart for about 3 years - a job he got with the help of Clement Kigugu who was working as an employment coordinator at Ascentria Care Alliance at that time.
Prior to becoming a case manager at Overcomers, Daniel assisted refugees in the community on his own time. After a few weeks volunteering at Overcomers, a case manager position opened up, so Daniel applied and was selected for the position.
Daniel graduated from high school in 2014 while living in the refugee camp, and is currently working on his Bachelor’s degree in Human Services from Southern New Hampshire University.
Chekeri Byimanikora
Chekeri Byimanikora
Chekeri Byimanikora
CASE MANAGER
Chekeri is our newest case worker. Chekeri came to the United States from Rwanda in 2014 at the age of 17. She graduated from Plymouth State University with a Bachelors in Social Work in 2023. She joined the ORS staff in February of 2024.
LInda Douglas
Chekeri Byimanikora
Chekeri Byimanikora
Assistant Director
Linda started as an administrative assistant in July 2022 after retiring as a Trauma Informed Services Specialist with the NH Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence. She has over 30 years of experience working with non-profit organizations.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
James Deely - BOARD CHAIR
James Deely - BOARD CHAIR
James Deely - BOARD CHAIR
Sr Director, Talent, HR and Operations BigRio LLC
An entrepreneurial leader with over 15 years of experience in global technical consulting, business development, and technical recruiting, specializing in AI/ML, Cloud, and Enterprise Software solutions. Experienced in successfully leading onshore and offshore teams in talent acquisition a
Sr Director, Talent, HR and Operations BigRio LLC
An entrepreneurial leader with over 15 years of experience in global technical consulting, business development, and technical recruiting, specializing in AI/ML, Cloud, and Enterprise Software solutions. Experienced in successfully leading onshore and offshore teams in talent acquisition and HR operations, utilizing a modified agile approach to drive measurable client outcomes.
With a proven track record in managing cross-functional and remote teams, business development, and operational strategy, thrives in fast-paced environments that require rapid adaptation and innovation. Passionate about emerging trends in AI, Machine Learning, and ESG initiatives, with a growing interest in environmental change and policy. Continues to push forward at the intersection of technology, sustainability, and healthcare, along with a personal drive to leverage technology for positive environmental impact.
LENA ROZZI, TREASURER
James Deely - BOARD CHAIR
James Deely - BOARD CHAIR
Lena works at Mason + Rich, PA, a public accounting firm located in Concord, NH, where she works with nonprofit clients across different industries. She is a graduate of Southern New Hampshire University with a Master of Science in Accounting. She is a licensed CPA in New Hampshire and a member of the New Hampshire Society of Certified Public Accountants
SIZA TIMBIRI - SECRETARY
James Deely - BOARD CHAIR
Siza is an Assistant Principal at Beaver Elementary School in Concord NH. He has also taught in Zimbabwe, South Africa, Morocco, and the UK. He has been privileged to attend graduate school at the University of Cambridge. He has been in the US for more than 15 years and cherishes the opportunity to work for ORS. He has been a Board Member since 2021 and also serves as the Secretary for ORS.
CLAIRE NEPA
Claire Uwimana Nepa was born in Rwanda. She was raised by her grandparents who were well respected. Her grandfather was a veterinarian in Nyanza south Rwanda, which was in the kingdom of Rwanda before the colonists came.
In 1994 Claire’s family was devastated by genocide. Her parents died and her family were separated. After Genocide
Claire Uwimana Nepa was born in Rwanda. She was raised by her grandparents who were well respected. Her grandfather was a veterinarian in Nyanza south Rwanda, which was in the kingdom of Rwanda before the colonists came.
In 1994 Claire’s family was devastated by genocide. Her parents died and her family were separated. After Genocide Claire became head of the family and took care of her siblings even though she was still young. She married a Congolese man and moved to D R Congo.
In 1997 the war started in D R Congo. Claire was arrested and put in prison because of her race as D R Congo claimed that it was attacked by the Rwandan Government. Upon her release she fled to a neighboring country where she lived in a refugee camp for 3 years. In 2000 Claire was granted refugee status and was resettled in NH with her 3 children. Claire now works at Concord Hospital as a health care worker.
Claire became a board member of Overcomers in 2020. She helps ORS achieve its mission and she brings to her work her experience living in a refugee camp and her adjustment to living in the United States. Besides being a board member, she also volunteers to share her stories among clients as a person who is from one tribe and married to another tribe. Her message is to forgive and overcome the pain of war and violence.
REX HEITZ - PAST CHAIR
REX HEITZ - PAST CHAIR
Rex joined the Overcomers board in 2017 after traveling to Rwanda with Clement. They visited local people in their rural homes, listened to their stories, shared meals together, worshipped together, and explored their culture. Rex was moved by incredible sense of reconciliation just 25 years after the genocide they lived through. This exp
Rex joined the Overcomers board in 2017 after traveling to Rwanda with Clement. They visited local people in their rural homes, listened to their stories, shared meals together, worshipped together, and explored their culture. Rex was moved by incredible sense of reconciliation just 25 years after the genocide they lived through. This experience provided Rex with insights that inspired him to help Clement and the Overcomers organization.
Rex has a Bachelor’s degree with a major in Business Administration and has worked for 30 years in various leadership roles with Praxair, Inc. He has been a self-employed business consultant for 15 years, working with leaders to find ways to improve safety cultures in their places of business. Rex also served two years in the US Army in a military intelligence unit at Fort Polk, LA and has served as an elder in two different churches.
Rex currently resides in Florida with his wife, Sharon.
JIM SNODGRASS
REX HEITZ - PAST CHAIR
Jim Snodgrass was the executive director of Second Start from 1974 until his retirement in 2022. Second Start is a private, non-profit educational, training, and childcare organization located in Concord, serving over 1,000 individuals yearly statewide with a staff of 65. Many of the people Jim worked with in Concord were people who a
Jim Snodgrass was the executive director of Second Start from 1974 until his retirement in 2022. Second Start is a private, non-profit educational, training, and childcare organization located in Concord, serving over 1,000 individuals yearly statewide with a staff of 65. Many of the people Jim worked with in Concord were people who arrived as refugees. For his long career of service, the Concord Chamber of Commerce named him its 2021 Citizen of the Year.
Jim also serves on the boards of Riverbend Community Mental Health and Building Community in New Hampshire.
He is a former trustee and treasurer of the New Hampshire Community Technical Colleges, and a former member and president of the Board of Trustees of the New Hampshire Center for Nonprofits.
ERIC IRAKIZA
MUSHOSHERE MWENEWIRHU
MUSHOSHERE MWENEWIRHU
Erik Irakiza came to the US as a refugee from Congo DRC in 2013. He is a case manager for Building Community in New Hampshire (BCNH) in Manchester. Previously, Erik worked for Velcro Companies in Manchester. Erik joined the Overcomers board of directors to help the organization achieve their goals.
MUSHOSHERE MWENEWIRHU
MUSHOSHERE MWENEWIRHU
MUSHOSHERE MWENEWIRHU
Mushoshere is a former refugee from D R Congo. He is now a care coordinator at North American Family Institute (NAFI). He joined ORS in 2017
GHANA SHARMA (DAHAL)
MUSHOSHERE MWENEWIRHU
GHANA SHARMA (DAHAL)
Ghana is originally from Bhutan. In 1992, his family left Bhutan for the refugee camp in Nepal, where they stayed for 18 years. Ghana was resettled to the U.S. in 2009. He lives in Concord with his wife, Nirmala, and two children.
Ghana joined the board of Overcomers in early 2020 to support the expansion of services to the Bhutanese commu
Ghana is originally from Bhutan. In 1992, his family left Bhutan for the refugee camp in Nepal, where they stayed for 18 years. Ghana was resettled to the U.S. in 2009. He lives in Concord with his wife, Nirmala, and two children.
Ghana joined the board of Overcomers in early 2020 to support the expansion of services to the Bhutanese community.
Ghana attended and graduated high school in the refugee camp, and studied mathematics at Damak Multiple Campus and North Bengal University. He currently works at Concord High School as an ELL (English Language Learner) teacher where he works with New American students on math and science and teaches a citizenship class for adults. Ghana’s previous work includes Education Coordinator for BCNH (Building Community in NH), professional tutor at NHTI, and Garden Manager for Sycamore Community Garden.
In 2014, Ghana was named one of Concord’s “Most Fascinating Individuals” by Concord TV. He is also one of the lead organizers of the Concord Multicultural Festival and a lifelong board member of the International Nepali Literary Society of NH.
Jessica Geiben Lynn
Jessica Geiben Lynn
GHANA SHARMA (DAHAL)
Jessica Geiben Lynn
Jessica is a strategy, governance and organizational development consultant. She is currently a Senior Consultant at Dartmouth Health, and also works for a small number of private clients through her consulting business. Jessica has over two decades of experience working with leaders at academic health centers, owner a
Jessica Geiben Lynn
Jessica is a strategy, governance and organizational development consultant. She is currently a Senior Consultant at Dartmouth Health, and also works for a small number of private clients through her consulting business. Jessica has over two decades of experience working with leaders at academic health centers, owner and family led businesses, universities, foundations of all types, and with boards of directors of non-profit and owner/founder led organizations.
Jessica holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from Wheaton College, MA, and a Master of Law and Diplomacy (M.A.L.D.) from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. She has trained in the Evidence Based Executive Leadership Coaching program at the Fielding Institute, at the Systems-Center Training and Research Institute, and is an International Coaching Federation-certified Executive Coach (CEC). Jessica is also certified in the Hogan Suite, DiSC, 5 Behaviors, Predictive Index, and is a Certified Family Business Advisor (CFBA).
Jessica specializes in leadership development, change and conflict management, team development and board development. She is a faculty member for both of Dartmouth Health’s award-winning leadership development programs, has presented on governance best practices at numerous national conferences, and on team development best practices at international conferences.
In addition to serving on the board of Overcomer’s Refugee Services, as well as on the search committee for the Baker Free Library. She served as Chair of the Capital Area Regional Advisory Board of the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, and is a past Co-Chair of the Board of Circle Program. She is a member of BoardSource, the National Center for Family Philanthropy, and Bow (NH) Open Spaces, among others. Jessica is a member of the Concord Monitor’s reader advisory board, and resides in Bow,
As an organization that serves refugees, we are committed to maintaining a board with more than half of its directors who are originally from the refugee populations that Overcomers serves. It is important for our board of directors to model the connection and interaction that we envision between refugees and the New Hampshire communities that have welcomed them.
The Board of Overcomers Refugee Services is dedicated to the organization’s mission and vision. Those of us who are established citizens of New Hampshire are proud that our community has offered new homes to fellow human beings torn from their old life by trauma. We want to share our community with our new members and we want to learn more about their cultures.