Krishanti Vignarajah (she/her) has had quite the successful career. After immigrating to the United States from Sri Lanka at the age of nine months, Krish grew up in Maryland and attended Yale University. Krish returned back to Maryland and became involved in local politics, and interest that started in her youth. Krish worked her way up to the Obama White House, where she was First Lady Michelle Obama’s Policy Director. After leaving the White House, Krish became the CEO of Global Refuge, a nonprofit organization that has helped over 800,000 immigrants get settled and begin their lives in America. Read on to learn more about the amazing work that Krish Vignarajah has done!

Where are you based?
Global Refuge is proudly based in Baltimore, Maryland — just a stone’s throw away from Catonsville, where my family first settled and where I grew up.

You immigrated to the United States when you were a child. How did that experience influence your worldview, especially regarding immigration in America?
My parents came to the U.S. fleeing ethnic and religious persecution, with no jobs, just $200 in their pockets, and two very young kids in their arms.  

We ended up in Baltimore because my dad landed a job with the public schools, and the school system really adopted us. It was the superintendent who found the basement apartment we moved into. It was the school’s Vice Principal who helped my dad set up a bank account. It was the neighbors who babysat us, and it was churches and temples that donated winter coats to a family that had never seen a single flake of snow before. 

Now as the leader of Global Refuge, one of the largest nonprofits in the country serving refugees, unaccompanied children, and other immigrants, I get to pay forward the warm welcome my family received to the next generation of newcomers. 

I understand exactly how hard it can be to find affordable housing without a credit score. I’ve witnessed how hard it can be for someone to find a job — let alone one that reflects their qualifications. I’ve heard my parents’ stories and experienced their resilience and drive firsthand. My family’s story has greatly influenced my worldview, and I carry that into my work every day.

You left Sri Lanka when it was on the brink of a civil war. How do you and your family feel about how divided America is now?
I left Sri Lanka when I was just a baby, so I don’t have a firsthand memory of that division. But I grew up hearing stories from my parents about what happens when political and ethnic divides harden to the point where people stop seeing one another’s humanity. So when I look at America today, I do worry.

Yes, this country has always had its divisions - political, socioeconomic, demographic — but what feels new is the level of distrust and the unwillingness to treat “the other side” as fully human. By so many metrics, whether political violence, polarization in the media, or even how we talk to one another, this moment does feel uniquely strained.

As a mother raising two young girls here, I think a lot about the strength of the glue that holds us together. The beauty of America has always been that our diversity is not a weakness, but our greatest source of resilience. But that only holds true if we actively choose to see one another with empathy and grace. My hope, and my responsibility as both a leader and a parent, is to help rebuild that sense of shared purpose before we forget how strong we can be when we stand together.

How did your parents instill a desire to create change in you?
My mother has always been a maverick. When she was growing up, women didn’t delay marriage, go to college, or—heaven forbid—teach math. But she did all three. She went to school in villages in Sri Lanka and then to college in India. She was educated and beautiful but turned down marriage proposals until her late 30s when my father, the physics teacher down the street, came along. She had me when she was 42 and got her Ph.D. when she was 62. Growing up with a mother like that meant growing up questioning orthodoxy. She taught me that being a rule-breaker can actually make you a rule-maker.

She was proud when I broke barriers, but she reminded me that being the first isn’t the goal — it’s the responsibility to leave a trail for others to follow. That idea, that leadership means opening doors for others, is something I carry with me in everything I do.

You started political activism in your youth, volunteering for both of your senators in Maryland. What attracted you to political activism and being a public advocate?
My parents always raised me with a deep sense of gratitude, for the opportunities we had and for the second chance this country gave us. They used to remind me often that we were incredibly fortunate to have built a new life here. But that gratitude came with a sense of responsibility: if you’ve been given much, you owe something back. That was really the foundation of my attraction to public service.

When I was younger, I tagged along with my parents and watched them play an active role in the community — whether it was through the homeowner's association or the temple. Over time, I began to see how community, policy and politics - though distinct - are deeply intertwined. I’d always been drawn to policy because I loved understanding how decisions at the highest levels ripple down to affect people’s lives. But my parents taught me that you can’t just stay at the level of theory or idealism; you have to be willing to roll up your sleeves and get involved.

That perspective guided me when I started volunteering for my senators in Maryland. It wasn’t about partisanship — it was about service, about learning how our systems work, and how they can be improved. My parents’ sense of gratitude to this country instilled in me an intense patriotism — not a blind loyalty, but a belief that loving a country means wanting it to live up to its ideals. That’s what drew me to activism and still fuels my public advocacy today.

You served in the Obama White House as Policy Director for First Lady Michelle Obama, can you tell us a little bit about this role?
I absolutely loved my time in the White House. It was an incredible privilege to be at the epicenter of policies and programs that touched so many lives, especially those of marginalized communities here at home and around the world. As Policy Director for First Lady Michelle Obama, I had the chance to work on initiatives that combined purpose, impact, and compassion in such a unique way.

One of the efforts closest to my heart was Let Girls Learn, the First Lady’s global initiative to expand access to education for adolescent girls. It was personal for me because of my mother’s story. As I mentioned, she earned her Ph.D. at 62, so education was never something she took for granted. She always reminded me how precious and rare that opportunity was, especially for so many girls around the world who never get the chance to finish secondary school. So to work on an issue that meant so much to Mrs. Obama, AND that felt so deeply personal to me, was an incredible privilege.

At a high level, the work also showed me the power and potential of government when it partners broadly. We were able to collaborate with countries that didn’t traditionally have strong track records on girls’ education and still find common ground. That experience reinforced how influential the presidency and the White House can be in shaping global priorities. It also underscored for me the power of public-private partnerships. The Obamas understood that government alone can’t do everything, but by bringing in the private sector, nonprofits, and global citizens, we could build a much bigger tent for change.

And finally, serving in the first administration that fully embraced social media and non-traditional media taught me a lasting lesson: meet people where they are. Whether it’s traditional press or digital platforms or late-night TV, the way we communicate policy can be just as powerful as the policy itself. That’s something I’ve carried with me ever since.

You also worked in the State Department as Senior Advisor under Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Secretary of State John Kerry. Can you tell us a bit about this work?
I had the privilege of serving under both Secretary Clinton and Secretary Kerry, which meant engaging in some of the most complex and pressing global issues of the time, from advancing presidential initiatives in Africa to navigating the aftermath of the Arab Spring.

As a political appointee, I quickly came to appreciate the extraordinary professionalism and institutional wisdom of our career civil and foreign service officers. Especially in today’s environment, I think it’s important to recognize how much stability and continuity they provide. They are the backbone of our diplomacy, ensuring that America’s values and commitments endure across administrations.

I also learned just how vast the State Department is — and yet, how nimble it can be in moments of crisis. During the Ebola outbreak, for instance, I saw firsthand how quickly and effectively the department could mobilize resources and coordinate with global partners to save lives.

And on a personal level, it was deeply inspiring to work under fearless female leaders like Secretary Clinton: women who intentionally surrounded themselves with other strong, smart, and principled women. That environment shaped how I think about leadership today: it’s not just about having a seat at the table, but about making sure the table itself is inclusive and dynamic enough to tackle the world’s toughest challenges.

The Trump administration has dismantled large parts of the federal government. A number of outside experts have said that it will take many years to recreate these agencies and hire new experts, if at all possible. Do you think it’s possible? What hopes do you have?
My five years in federal government — working at the White House, at a federal agency, and closely with Congress — taught me one of my most important lessons: you can disagree without being disagreeable. That spirit of collaboration and mutual respect was what made public service work, even when we didn’t always see eye to eye.

In recent years, I’ve noticed how much that dynamic has changed. There’s a level of polarization that feels new, and honestly, alarming. I worry about how historically bipartisan programs have become politicized, especially when I see how far that is from what I hear at the grassroots level. Most Americans, when you talk to them, actually agree on the fundamental principles - on compassion, fairness, opportunity. It’s often the politics that get in the way, not the people.

Having worked alongside career civil servants, I know firsthand how deeply committed they are to serving this country. So it’s been disheartening to see those public servants attacked or demoralized in such a personal, vitriolic way. They’re the backbone of our government — the people who show up, day after day, no matter who’s in power.

Do I think we can rebuild? Absolutely. But it will take more than just hiring people - it will take rebuilding trust: trust in our institutions, trust in expertise, and trust in one another. My hope comes from knowing how many talented, dedicated people still believe in that mission of service. If we can reclaim that shared sense of purpose, then yes, we can absolutely rebuild stronger than before.

After leaving the White House, you ran for Governor of Maryland in 2018. In one particular campaign commercial, you are seen breastfeeding your daughter. What effect do you think that your candidacy, and that ad in particular, had in showing Americans that mothers are capable leaders in politics?
At the time, that ad simply reflected my real life. I was a new mom, and breastfeeding was just part of my daily routine, even during campaign meetings. It wasn’t a calculated statement; it was honest. I was the only woman running in a field of eight men, which felt surprising given that it was 2018, the so-called “Year of the Woman,” and in a state as diverse as Maryland. So I knew how important it was to show up authentically and not hide the reality of what it means to be a working mother.

Having worked for and alongside so many incredible working moms, I’ve seen firsthand how talented, resilient, and resourceful they are, and how undervalued that experience often is in the professional and political worlds. I wanted people to see that motherhood isn’t a liability in leadership — it’s an asset. It teaches you to multitask, to problem-solve, to empathize, and to keep going no matter how tired you are.

If that ad helped even one woman feel seen or helped challenge outdated notions of what leadership looks like, then it was worth it. My hope is that the next generation of women, especially mothers, won’t have to think twice about being fully themselves when they step into public life.

Let’s talk about Global Refuge! You have been the CEO since 2019. Can you tell us about Global Refuge and what you do?
Global Refuge is one of the nation’s oldest and largest refugee resettlement organizations. We were founded in 1939, so we’ve been doing this work of welcome for 85 years now. Our mission is simple but profound: to walk alongside refugees, integrate them into communities, and help them reach self-sufficiency as they rebuild their lives here in America. 

Our clients include children and refugees — people forced to flee their homeland due to fears of persecution based on their race, religion, nationality, political stance, or affiliation with a particular social group. They apply for their status before ever stepping foot in the U.S. and are only able to resettle here after a long and rigorous vetting process, including security checks, interviews, and health screenings.

We work in communities across the country to provide these newly arrived refugees with the tools they need to thrive — everything from housing and employment support to English classes, mental health care, and community integration. But our work doesn’t stop at resettlement. We also focus on long-term empowerment, helping families move from crisis to stability, and ultimately to belonging.

What inspires me most is that our work is truly a partnership — with local communities, faith organizations, volunteers, and the newcomers themselves. Every time I meet some of our clients or visit one of our Welcome Centers, I see how much richer and stronger our country becomes when we open our doors. Global Refuge isn’t just about helping people start over - it’s about helping America live up to its highest ideals of compassion, opportunity, and hope.

How has this work changed since this second Trump term that seems to be aimed at targeting and vilifying immigrants?
Unfortunately, since the start of this second Trump term, we’ve seen the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, long considered the gold standard of bipartisan, legal immigration pathways, essentially dismantled. It’s incredibly disheartening to see this retreat from our humanitarian leadership, particularly at a time when more people are displaced than ever before. The UN estimates there are more than 42 million refugees worldwide.

At Global Refuge, we’ve had to adapt quickly. Even as fewer new refugees are being admitted, our commitment to those who are already here has not wavered. We’re working tirelessly to help families integrate into their communities through the programs that still exist — connecting them to housing, jobs, legal support, education, and mental health services.

We’re also continuing our critical work with unaccompanied children — young people who make the dangerous journey to the United States entirely on their own. That work hasn’t stopped, and it’s a reminder of the human face behind every policy debate. These are children who have fled unimaginable circumstances and are simply seeking safety and a chance to grow up.

So while this has been an incredibly challenging time, it’s also reinforced why our mission matters so deeply. At Global Refuge, we’re focused on doing what we’ve always done — meeting people with compassion, keeping our doors open where others close theirs, and ensuring that America remains a place of refuge and renewal.

With a mission like “fostering a world of just and welcoming communities”, how do you feel you can do this during these times which feel anything but?
While it’s certainly been a frustrating time, the silver lining is that the American people haven’t given up on welcome. From church basements to city councils, we see communities ready to do their part. In fact, in many cases, these attacks on legal immigration protections have inspired them to get even more involved. 

I believe the average American recognizes that time and time again, this country has been renewed and revitalized by people who seek shelter here. In a recent Gallup poll, a record-high 79% of U.S. adults say immigration is a good thing for the country. Just last year, 55% reported wanting immigration reduced, compared to only 30% today.

So public opinion is shifting, and I think that’s because people realize how great the contributions of refugees and other immigrants can be - to our workforce, to our economy, to the very social and cultural fabric of our country. A recent federal study looked at how much refugees receive in assistance versus how much they pay in taxes over a 15-year period, and it turns out they contributed $124 billion more than they ever received.  

Are you noticing a decline in immigrants? Has the USA lost its reputation for being a nation welcoming of immigrants? Do you think this can be recovered?
There’s no question that America’s reputation as a welcoming nation has been tested in recent years. Policies that target or vilify immigrants and refugees send a message far beyond our borders — they shape how the world sees us and how we see ourselves. When refugee ceilings are slashed to historic lows, or when asylum seekers are treated as threats rather than human beings, it chips away at the moral leadership that has long defined this country.

What gives me hope are the Americans I meet through Global Refuge’s work - teachers, business owners, faith leaders, neighbors - who are opening their homes, volunteering their time, and showing extraordinary generosity to families seeking safety. That’s the America I know. It feels like our policies have fallen behind our values.

Rebuilding our reputation will take time, but it’s absolutely possible. It starts with leadership that recognizes immigration not as a crisis, but as a cornerstone of our national identity and a source of renewal. I absolutely agree that we need real, sensible reform around our immigration laws and systems, but I’m confident the world can once again see the United States as a nation made stronger, safer, and more vibrant because of those who come here seeking a better life.

What advice do you have for an immigrant currently living in America who is feeling scared or uneasy?
First, I would say: you are not alone. It’s understandable to feel scared or uncertain right now, because so much of the rhetoric and policy landscape has made immigrants feel unseen or unwelcome. But please know that there are millions of people across this country who believe deeply in your right to safety, dignity, and opportunity.

Second, remember that your story is part of the American story. This country has always been shaped and strengthened by those who came seeking a better life. Immigrants are entrepreneurs, caregivers, scientists, parents, and dreamers -people who make our communities stronger in every possible way.

So my advice is twofold: seek community and stay hopeful. Connect with organizations who can provide resources and support. And don’t underestimate the power of your own voice and resilience. Fear can be isolating, but solidarity is powerful.

It has been a crazy past few years, and we suspect at least four more. How have you been staying positive?
It’s true — these have been some of the most challenging times I’ve ever experienced in my professional career. Every day, my team and I hear stories that are heartbreaking, families who have fled persecution and violence, parents who have risked everything to protect their children, people who have endured years of vetting and still remain in legal limbo. Bearing witness to that level of pain and uncertainty can be incredibly heavy.

There are moments when the weight of the work feels overwhelming, especially when you see policies or rhetoric that dehumanize the very people you’re fighting for. But I’ve learned that to continue leading with compassion, I have to also take care of my own well-being.

For me, that means making intentional space to nourish my soul outside of work. My daughters are a huge part of that. Spending time with them, whether it’s doing homework, cooking together, or just laughing about something silly, grounds me. They remind me why this work matters: because every child deserves safety, stability, and the chance to dream big.

I also find hope in the people I work alongside. My colleagues, our community partners, and the countless volunteers who show up for refugees and immigrants every day - they embody the best of humanity. Even in difficult times, I see extraordinary compassion and courage, and that’s what keeps me going.

What is your motto in life?
My life motto has always been, in some form, “fake it till you make it.” I know it sounds a little cliché, but for me, it’s rooted in real experience. I went to a low-income public high school, and when I first got to college at Yale, I felt completely out of my depth. I wasn’t sure I belonged. I worried I couldn’t keep up with my classmates or measure up to the opportunities in front of me. Imposter syndrome hit me hard.

What I realized, though, was that confidence doesn’t always come first — you can cultivate it through action. So I “faked it” at first. I asked questions, raised my hand, took risks, and acted as if I belonged in spaces where, at times, I didn’t yet feel like I did. And bit by bit, that confidence became real.

That lesson has carried me through my life and career — from the White House to the State Department to leading Global Refuge. It’s not about pretending to be something you’re not, it’s about trusting yourself enough to take the leap, learn along the way, and eventually realize you were capable all along.

Where can we find out more about you?
You can learn more about Global Refuge at https://www.globalrefuge.org/, or for a more personal glimpse behind the scenes, follow my accounts on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, X, and Bluesky.

Krish Vignarajah - From Immigrant to Immigration Champion