Building Peaceful Bridges
Lori Lucchetti and Ahlam Al-Jebory, co-founders of the nonprofit, Building Peaceful Bridges (BPB), will share the work they are doing to assist refugees in gaining a sense of belonging in America and achieving self sufficiency. Ahlam, a former refugee from Iraq, has survived war, torture, prison, the tragic death of her eldest son, and the challenges of starting over, time and again. Her incredible journey from Baghdad to Damascus to Chicago is told in A Disappearance in Damascus by Deborah Campbell. Lori, President of BPB, has worked in corporate, government and nonprofit sectors. She has led BPB since 2015, transforming it from an informal gathering of committed women to a growing and impactful nonprofit organization. For more information about BPB, see https://www.