Global Impact Initiative

In times of uncertainty and when challenges arise, the true strength of a community is revealed. Over the past two days,?Austin Jews and Partners for Refugees (AJPR)—in partnership with?Shalom Austin—have come together with unwavering compassion to provide relief to?129 refugees. Through incredible fundraising efforts, these families—who arrived legally and have work authorization—received grocery gift cards, offering immediate comfort and stability as they navigate their new reality. But this is just the beginning.?Our next step is to help them learn English, find jobs, and stand on their own feet—empowered to build independent, dignified lives. Each of these families is part of the?GII community. They didn’t just seek assistance; they turned to a place where they knew kindness and care awaited them. Once again, they were met with dignity, unwavering support, and open hearts. The room was filled with?smiles, handshakes, and quiet reassurances—powerful reminders that they are not alone. This wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible volunteers from?Shalom Austin?who stepped forward—not just to give, but to listen, assist, and extend their time and compassion. Their presence transformed an act of charity into something far more profound:?a moment of human connection and solidarity. To?AJPR, Shalom Austin, and the many dedicated individuals who made this possible—Nancy Wolf, Andrew Rochstein, Sherry Blum, Cathy Campbell, Rose Potter, Mindy Sheldon, Adriana May, Kaylie Mowell, Jhon Merizalde Ortiz, Rafal Cygankow, Cassandra Falasco, MPA, Bella Hagey, Alexa Hernandez, Stephanie Gonzalez,?Kate Canning,?Anjum Malik, Lauren Beavers, Arjun Agarwal,?Michael Chaix, Harvey Xanthos, Hawon Song, among others--thank you. Your generosity provided more than aid;?it reinforced hope, belonging, and a steadfast support system.?This is what community looks like—showing up, time and again, for those who need it most. We are also deeply grateful to the media outlets that amplified these stories and underscored the power of standing together: Austin American-Statesman?– for their in-depth coverage and compelling photo gallery, capturing the heart of this effort. Spectrum News, KXAN, and others?– for giving voice to these families and fostering a more informed, compassionate community. https://lnkd.in/gGhdxV6Z Moments like these remind us that?each of us has the power to make a difference.?If you’re inspired to support, please consider joining us: ?Donate:?https://lnkd.in/gkywtvY ?Volunteer:?https://lnkd.in/gqfx3A7G Together, we build brighter futures.?Thank you for being part of this movement. #StrongerTogether #RefugeesWelcome #CommunityMatters #GlobalImpactInitiative #AustinJewsAndPartnersForRefugees #ShalomAustin #GratitudeInAction #SupportRefugees

For those of you who joined us from around the world, thank you! And for those who have reached out asking for the link—here it is. We’re grateful for the engaging discussion with Dr. Fanta Aw on how GII is bridging gaps and creating opportunities for vulnerable communities. Watch the conversation below and let’s continue working together to make an impact! #GII #IE20 #NAFSA #GlobalEducation #EmpoweringChange #CollectiveImpact”

Join us LIVE at 11:00 am CST for IE30, where our founder, Anjum Malik, will be in conversation with Dr. Fanta Aw, CEO of NAFSA: Association of International Educators. Together, they’ll discuss how GII’s programs and innovative partnerships are filling gaps, creating sustainable jobs, empowering communities, and driving global impact through education and employment. This is more than just a conversation—it’s an opportunity to explore what we can achieve together. Let’s collaborate, take action, and amplify our collective impact. https://lnkd.in/gWfmnrQn #GII #NAFSA #IE30 #EmpoweringChange #CollectiveAction #GlobalImpact #SustainableJobs #Education

Today, we celebrate one of our own—Annie Hardy: Futurist, Strategist, and Force of Nature! There isn’t a single title that can truly capture the brilliance of Annie Hardy—but Global AI Architect and Futurist at Cisco comes pretty close! A visionary, a bold strategist, and a leader who not only speaks with strength but ensures others have a voice, Annie embodies the kind of leadership that sparks change. At Global Impact Initiative, we’ve seen firsthand her infectious enthusiasm, passion for collaboration, and ability to turn bold ideas into reality. As the head of our strategy committee, she brings insight, energy, and a relentless drive to push boundaries. And let’s be honest—she loves a great conversation, and when Annie talks, the world listens! Annie, we are honored to have you on our Board and thrilled to watch you continue shaping the future. May you keep soaring, shining, and leading with the brilliance that is uniquely yours!

The GII team is delighted to celebrate one of our own today! Our esteemed board member, Dr. Hanan I. Malkawi, is being recognized by the European Union in Jordan for her extraordinary contributions to science and her tireless advocacy for women and girls in STEM. A true trailblazer, Hanan continues to break barriers, driving innovation, and shaping the future of STEM. At the Global Impact Initiative (GII), we are honored to have her leadership and vision guiding our work. Join us in celebrating her achievements and the brilliant women and girls transforming the world through science. #WomenInScience #STEM #BreakingBarriers #leadership #GlobalImpact #Inspiration https://lnkd.in/gMfMGkkH

Empowering change through collective action isn't just a vision, it is a necessity. Workforce development is a game-changer, creating sustainable jobs that help individuals support their families, advance in their careers, and contribute meaningfully to their communities. In today’s world, where industries are rapidly evolving, upskilling, reskilling, and multi-skilling are essential to filling critical gaps in the labor market and building a resilient workforce. At Gii, we see firsthand how investing in talent and removing barriers transforms lives. Join our Executive Director, Anjum Malik?in conversation with NAFSA: Association of International Educators CEO Dr. Fanta Aw as they explore how Gii has built creative?partnerships to expand access to employment and equip individuals with the skills needed for the jobs of today and tomorrow. Be part of this transformative discussion: https://lnkd.in/guf-rEBk ?#WorkforceDevelopment #GlobalImpact #EconomicEmpowerment #Nafsa

Our Executive Director, Anjum Malik, and one of our Global Ambassadors, Aarti Tandon, are thrilled to have participated in the IDEAS+LEADERS Summit in New York City on January 30, 2025, at the historic The Kosciuszko Foundation. They were inspired by the incredible change-makers who shared their wisdom: Marek Skulimowski, Pawel Pietrasienski, Ph.D., Kerry Fisher, Mehmet Serkan Tosun, Katarzyna Rokosz (Bitka), Valerie Trapunsky, Cassidy Amber Chapman, Alfredo Coppola, Karolina Kizinska, and Chinh Chu. A heartfelt thank you to Dr Elena Paw?ta and Nilofar Ayoubi for inviting Gii and to everyone who made this event so impactful. Lastly, we are grateful to Mela Ottaiano, Emily Schroen, Taya Mishel, and Malala Lin for making time to join us.

The countdown is on! Aarti Tandon and Anjum Malik with be sharing insights and connecting with incredible changemakers at the IDEAS+LEADERS Summit in New York on January 30th. Looking forward to seeing some of you there! If interested in attending, please contact us directly! You can learn more about the event here: https://lnkd.in/ef5UpkYi

Exciting news! Our founder, Anjum Malik, and one of our esteemed Global Ambassadors, Aarti Tandon, will be speaking at the IDEAS+LEADERS Summit at the Kosciuszko Foundation in New York City. If you're in the area, we would love to see our New York-based colleagues and friends! Interested in meeting with us during the event? Message us directly, and we'd be delighted to connect. Check out the event details here: https://lnkd.in/ef5UpkYi

Dear friends and clients, Due to unpredictable weather and in the interest of everyone’s safety, the Gii office will be closed tomorrow, Tuesday January 21st as our team works from home. We’ll monitor the weather closely and make a decision about Wednesday accordingly. If you have any urgent needs, please don’t hesitate to email us or call 512-265-6095. We will be working remotely to assist clients! Please stay warm, safe, and comfortable during this time. Thank you!