Alpa Amin Named as Executive Director for Georgia Asylum and Immigration Network

[Atlanta, GA, Thursday, September 10, 2020]

The Board of Directors and staff of Georgia Asylum and Immigration Network (GAIN) are delighted to announce that as of January 1, 2021, Alpa Amin will become GAIN’s new Executive Director. In a seamless leadership transition, Ms. Amin will step into the role of top executive as Monica Modi Khant, GAIN’s first Executive Director, steps down after 15 years of passionate and dedicated service.

Ms. Amin is an immigration attorney, Chair of the Georgia Immigrant Working Group, Workgroup Chair of the Georgia Statewide Human Trafficking Task Force, and a graduate of the Anti-Defamation League’s Glass Leadership Institute, Leadership Buckhead, and the FBI Citizens Academy. She has been recognized by Georgia Trend Magazine as one of Georgia’s Top 40 Under 40, and was the recipient of the Atlanta Bar Association’s 2018 Rita A. Sheffey Public Interest Award. She currently serves as the Director of Legal Services at GAIN, where she has been working since 2008.

In 2010, Ms. Amin spearheaded the Victims of Violence program, expanding GAIN’s successful service model for asylum-seekers to include immigrant victims of human trafficking, domestic violence, and sexual assault. The Victims of Violence program not only filled a critical need in the community for legal services, but also provided life-changing pro bono experiences for attorneys who were eager to help in a meaningful way. As the community’s needs grew and GAIN expanded its team of staff attorneys, Ms. Amin rose to take on the role of Director of Legal Services in 2018. Under her leadership, GAIN’s legal work has seen a seismic shift—in a short time, GAIN has enhanced and increased its casework, exponentially multiplied its outreach and education efforts, and added social service screening and comprehensive support for trauma survivors.

This year, GAIN has seen big changes already, pivoting to virtual pro bono service and providing an unprecedented level of direct emergency relief for GAIN clients in need. As Ms. Khant leaves for the next stage in her career, she has expressed pride in the organization GAIN has become and its impact on access to justice for immigrants in Georgia. The team of 10 staff members is ready for the next step in the organization’s growth, and Ms. Khant will leave GAIN stronger than ever before and ready to face the road ahead. During Ms. Amin’s twelve years at GAIN working alongside Ms. Khant, their proven and trusted leadership has shaped the organization’s impact on it’s clients and community. Together, Ms. Khant and Ms. Amin have guided the organization’s evolution from a small volunteer project to a one-million dollar nonprofit organization with a robust network of volunteer attorneys, paving the way for pro bono immigration representation in Georgia.

Speaking of her predecessor and colleague, Ms. Amin said, “Monica has been a friend, a confidant, and the brilliant and charismatic leader GAIN has needed. More than that, she has infused care and compassion into our legal work. She will be dearly missed, and all of us at GAIN are honored to build on her legacy moving forward.”

As Ms. Amin takes on her new role, both her expertise and her compassion will propel GAIN into the future. Her clear vision for GAIN is client-centered, leveraging its network and expertise to bring the community closer together. With Ms. Amin at the helm, GAIN will move boldly forward to not only address the comprehensive needs of its clients, but also draw out their strengths and empower them to own their stories. Together with the community, GAIN will expand upon its strong foundation, and will continue to be a guiding voice in the region.

Joe Hellrung serves as Chief Counsel, Hospitality and Small Business at NCR Corporation as well as the Chair of the Succession Planning Committee of GAIN’s Board of Directors, where he oversaw the selection process for Ms. Amin. Mr. Hellrung stated, “We couldn’t have made a stronger choice for GAIN than Alpa Amin, and our community needs a strong GAIN. As the immigration landscape continues to shift and our community needs continue to grow, Alpa’s leadership will ensure GAIN will meet these challenges head on.”

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Georgia Asylum and Immigration Network (GAIN) is based in Atlanta, Georgia. Since 2005, GAIN has provided free immigration legal services to victims of crimes and persecution, serving over 5,000 people and working with Georgia’s law firms to provide over $15 million in pro bono legal services. GAIN’s vision is safety, freedom, and opportunity for all. For more information, visit GAIN’s website at georgiaasylum.org or contact Kate McNeely, Director of Development, at 678-335-6040, ext. 109 or kmcneely@georgiaasylum.org