ACCESS has appointed Nadia El-Zein Tonova to Director of National Partnerships, Jamie Kim to Director of Innovative Programs, and Hassan Bazzi to Director of Regional Opportunities.
ACCESS, the largest and most comprehensive Arab American community nonprofit organization in the U.S., is pleased to announce three new leadership positions that will lead the advancement of the organization’s strategic vision and priorities.
ACCESS has appointed Nadia El-Zein Tonova to Director of National Partnerships, Jamie Kim to Director of Innovative Programs, and Hassan Bazzi to Director of Regional Opportunities. ACCESS has identified bold priorities, both regionally and nationally, to improve and empower the communities in which we operate: contribute to the revitalization of the region with a special focus on Detroit, build young leadership in the Arab American community and advance Arab American interests nationally. These priorities require additional institutional leadership to strategically focus the organization’s programs and activities. Together, the Director of National Partnerships, the Director of Innovative Programs and the Director of Regional Opportunities will initiate and build on regional and national opportunities, partnerships and programs to help advance our mission and vision.
Nadia El-Zein Tonova, Director of National Partnerships
Nadia El-Zein Tonova began her career at ACCESS in 2006, leading the Advocacy and Civic Engagement Program for our National Network for Arab American Communities (NNAAC). Nadia was appointed NNAAC Director in 2010. During her tenure, she grew NNAAC’s membership, launched the Transformative Leaders Fellowship Program and expanded NNAAC’s communications capacity. With her deep experience in advocacy and knowledge of the issues that impact the community most, Nadia has led and expanded NNAAC’s engagement with national partners on diverse issues that affect the Arab American community. Most notably, Nadia created and launched the Campaign to TAKE ON HATE, an unprecedented national grassroots campaign that challenges prejudice and bias facing Arab and Muslim Americans.
As the Director of National Partnerships, Nadia will be responsible for identifying new opportunities that will help shape and enhance national organizational goals. She will also lead fundraising strategies with foundations that will support those opportunities. In this new role, Nadia will also direct the organization in identifying and engaging new stakeholders and partners nationally that can help frame and advance ACCESS’ national work.
Jamie Kim, Director of Innovative Programs
Jamie Kim began her career at ACCESS in 2002 as an AmeriCorps Program Coordinator with NNAAC, and was promoted to AmeriCorps Director in 2005. In 2007, Jamie was appointed to lead the development of the Center for Arab American Philanthropy (CAAP), one of ACCESS’ three national institutions. After a brief absence from ACCESS in 2010, Jamie returned to the organization in 2011 as an advisor to executive leadership on strategic direction for CAAP and NNAAC. In 2013, Jamie became ACCESS’ National Programming Strategist. She led the strategic planning process for the organization and the implementation of national strategies under the strategic plan. It also allowed her to strengthen program alignment between NNAAC, CAAP and the Arab American National Museum (AANM).
As the Director of Innovative Programs, Jamie will continue to lead the implementation of new programs and initiatives that build the leadership of young Arab Americans and improve the standing of Arab Americans in American society. In addition, Jamie will work closely with NNAAC, CAAP and the AANM to leverage the impact of their programs through greater collaboration.
Hassan Bazzi, Director of Regional Opportunities
Hassan Bazzi began his career at ACCESS in 2008 as a member of the Business Services Team in Employment and Training. He then went on to manage Earn + Learn, a workforce development initiative for Detroit’s formerly incarcerated men of color. In 2014, Hassan was appointed the Manager of the ACCESS Growth Center, the entrepreneurship and small business department at ACCESS. During this time, he oversaw a small business incubator and idea accelerator focused on the development and support of immigrant, refugee and minority-owned businesses in Detroit and its surrounding communities and helped raise ACCESS’ imprint and profile in the local entrepreneurship space. He also managed a business micro-loan portfolio which funded the launch and expansion of various refugee owned business ventures
As the Director of Regional Opportunities, Hassan will lead ACCESS’ strategic priority to enhance our leadership in the revitalization of Detroit and the region. In his newly created position, Hassan will explore new initiatives, opportunities, programs and partnerships for community and business development in the economic revitalization of Detroit and Southeast Michigan. In addition, Hassan will work closely with ACCESS’ executive leadership and stakeholders to leverage our current partnerships and programs to advance our regional work.
“Nadia, Jamie, and Hassan each bring a deep commitment to ACCESS’ vision and mission, provide a strategic framework to the organization, and offer a visionary approach to their work,” says ACCESS Executive Director and CEO Hassan Jaber. “We are excited that they are stepping into these vital new positions that will undoubtedly expand ACCESS’ impact in the region and across the nation.”
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About ACCESS
Grounded in a grassroots commitment to serving our community, ACCESS has a 45-year history of providing health, education, employment and social services. An Arab American nonprofit of excellence, ACCESS empowers communities in Southeast Michigan to improve their economic, social and cultural well-being and extends this mission nationally through advocacy, arts, culture and philanthropy.