About Us

Meet our Board of Directors:

ELLEN SALZMAN-FISKE

President and Founder

I have always been shaped, I think, by my family’s refugee story (fleeing Nazi Germany before W.W.II), but over the last several years I also have been inspired by the strong and wonderful immigrants and refugees who have become my friends – and shared their stories, amazing food(!), and constant frustrations with me. I have been teaching citizenship classes and assisting immigrants as a volunteer for many years. For even more years, I have been teaching immigrant history and American history at the University of Hartford.  I received a B.A. from Wesleyan University, and an M.A. and Ph.D. from Columbia University.  It was during my graduate school years that I began to think seriously about the amazing work done earlier in America’s history by social settlement workers, and the need to carry on that important work today. I look forward to doing that, while sharing warm cups of tea with our new American neighbors.

TINEKE C. VANDEGRIFT

Vice President

Although I was born an American citizen, my mother was Dutch, and my father was raised in India. I had the good fortune of spending my childhood in multicultural communities in India and the United States. I received a B.A. from Wesleyan University and a Psy.D. from William James College, and I’m currently working as a clinical psychologist in private practice. I believe that being a good neighbor to new immigrants means not just assisting and teaching , but also listening, learning, and valuing each person. I’m delighted to be part of the Golden Door team–helping to make Hartford and our nation a place of welcome for people of all nationalities.

ROJEEP SHRESTHRA

Treasurer

I am a native of Nepal and immigrated to the United States in 2006. As an immigrant, I am fond of connecting with other immigrant families.  I am especially interested in helping new immigrants successfully settle in the United States through guidance and professional mentoring, and by sharing useful information I learned as a first- generation immigrant. I understand the power of information for new immigrants to survive and develop personally and professionally in the United States. I earned an MBA from the University of Hartford, and I am currently a Manager in Financial Reporting and Accounting Policy at Aetna.

Meet our Team:

Kristin Weiss

Previous Administrator

I spent high school immersed in community service experiences, and am now a Music Theatre major at the University of Hartford. I was ecstatic when I first discovered that I’d be joining the Golden Door team and learning how best to aid the immigrant community. Since 2017, I’ve been lucky enough to learn from this organization as well as act as an administrator for social media and online resources. 

MARIA KHAN

Previous Program Consultant

I am originally from Pakistan and moved to the US for college in 2010, officially immigrating as a permanent resident here in 2019. Being so far away from home and my family, I know personally, first-hand how difficult life can be here and so I wanted to help people from different cultures, backgrounds, ethnicities, and countries. I gravitated towards Golden Door and wanting to create an environment for other immigrants who have had to leave their lives behind and move to a foreign country for a chance of a better life. I identify as a human who needs to help fellow neighbors, before I identify as a Pakistani.

Abby Sanderson

Summer Intern, 2024

I was born and raised here in Connecticut, but my father came to the United States from the United Kingdom when he was a child. I am so excited to be a part of this awesome team and organization! I want to make sure that everyone has access to programs, classes, and clubs to be more involved in the community. With Golden Door I hope to help those around me to feel seen and make an impact to those in West Hartford and beyond.

Grace Furia

Summer Intern, 2023

I was born and raised here in the United States, but much of who I am is made up of the stories of my ancestors who immigrated here from Italy.  My great-grandparents immigrated here knowing no English, simply looking for a better life.  The values they learned as they got here, hard-work and determination, have been passed down to me.  I am thrilled to be working for such an impactful organization this summer and I can’t wait to join this amazing team of people.  My passion in life is ensuring that all voices are heard, whether that be through voting, being a part of a community, or equal access to healthcare and education.  I’m most excited to learn from the people that I meet here and listen to the lessons and stories similar to those of my great-grandparents.