Standing with Immigrants:
Champions of Change
For nearly 50 years, Ayuda has been the leader in providing holistic, culturally and linguistically appropriate legal, social, language access to meet the emerging needs of immigrants in D.C., Virginia and Maryland.
With the support of many, Ayuda has helped more than 150,000 immigrants access justice, stop abuses, find safety, heal from trauma, and overcome language isolation.
In times of division and isolation, Ayuda has worked to meet the increased needs of our immigrant neighbors. Because of the support of our donors, we have been able to sustain and expand our critical services during the pandemic, and our doors have remained open.
Ayuda’s clients may have limited incomes and language skills, but they have an unyielding desire to do better for themselves and their families, to share their heritage with joy and pride, and to give of themselves as members of our communities.
This is what Standing with Immigrants is about – supporting our immigrant neighbors’ unwavering strength and resilience, and honor those who have contributed to upholding our mission.
We will always be there for immigrants, and ask you to join us on May 12, 2022 as we honor those who have contributed greatly to the communities we serve, and help to welcome new supporters to our mission.
The funds raised through the generosity of our supporters will enable Ayuda to sustain and expand its vital legal, social and language access services, and will directly impact the lives of low-income immigrants in D.C., Virginia and Maryland.
What: Standing with Immigrants: Champions of Change
When: Thursday, May 12, 2022 | 6PM – 9PM EST.
Where: Cosmos Club, 2121 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008
Standing with Immigrants: Champions of Change
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2022 Event Hosted By

Eugene Daniels
White House Correspondent and co-author of Playbook for POLITICO and MSNBC Senior of Contributor of Morning Joe
2022 Keynote Speaker

Anas "Andy" Shallal
Founder and CEO Busboys and Poets
Anas “Andy” Shallal is an artist, social entrepreneur, and founder and CEO of Busboys and Poets, giving a place where art, culture and politics intentionally collide over mindfully sourced food, drinks and programming that feeds the mind body and soul. A member of the Restaurant Opportunities Center (ROC) focusing on sustainable business and employment practices, Busboys and Poets has been at the forefront of environmental stewardship and at the cutting edge of the local/sustainable food movement.
Shallal has founded and co-founded several peace and justice organizations and holds leadership positions in numerous organizations that support the DMV. He has the esteemed honor to be on the board of trustees for the Institute for Policy Studies, the Anacostia Coordinating Council, The Anacostia Park Foundation, The DC Fiscal Policy Institute and a founding member of Think Local First DC.
2022 Event Honorees
Advocate of Change Award

Immigrant Food Co-Founders
Peter Schechter, Téa Ivonovic, and Chef Enrique Limardo
Immigrant Food is D.C.’s first cause-casual restaurant. They celebrate America’s story – the story of immigrants.
Co-Founder Peter Schechter commemorated the 10th anniversary of his mother’s death in 2018. His mother and father were both immigrants, but his mother was a chain immigrant, brought to America by her aunt. The anniversary of his mom’s passing coincided with a shocking surge of negative rhetoric against immigrants.
That’s when the idea of Immigrant Food began to form. It’s a restaurant that celebrates the successes of past immigrants and positively impacts today’s immigrants who – like Gerda and Edmund, Peter’s parents– have come to America to remake their lives. Read more about Immigrant Food’s story.
Ayuda’s Advocate of Change award is designed to recognize a(n) individual(s), organization, or company who have steadfastly advocated for immigrants’ rights in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan community.
Immigrant Food is the first recipient of this prestigious award as they have shown exemplary leadership and commitment in the area advocating for immigrant rights. As D.C.’s first cause-casual restaurant, their mission to help to unite people at the table, celebrate America’s history and educate on pressing issues facing immigrants in the United States is inspiring.
We commend Immigrant Food’s support of local organizations – including Ayuda – in the Washington, D.C. area and across the nation.
Pro Bono Service Award

Jill Flack
Assistant General Counsel, Exelon
Jill Flack is an Assistant General Counsel at Exelon, where she handles labor, employment and employee benefits matters . She is also the coordinator of Exelon’s D.C. region pro bono program and built the pro bono program for Pepco Holdings, following Pepco’s merger with Exelon. Jill has done pro bono work with many organizations in DC and Maryland, including several immigration relief clinics with Ayuda. In recognition of her work, Jill was awarded the Matt Gutt Pro Bono Award by Exelon in 2021.
Jill has volunteered with non-profits in her community, including the Arlington Community Foundation, which awards annual scholarships to seniors in the Arlington County public schools. Additionally, she served as chair on the Student Services Advisory Committee which successfully advocated for increasing the number of psychologists, counselors and social workers in Arlington Public Schools.
Jill is a graduate of Cornell University and Catholic University’s Columbus School of Law and obtained a Certificate in Employee Benefits Law from Georgetown Law School.
Jill Flack is receiving the 2022 pro bono service award, for her staunch commitment to Ayuda’s mission and clients through extraordinary partnership as part of Ayuda’s pro bono program.
She has been a strong supporter of Ayuda and has advocated for our interests within Exelon, ensuring that Exelon has been an important and committed clinic partner. Moreover, she is always there when our pro bono program needs a thought partner.
Pro Bono Impact Award

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP
Orrick focuses on serving the Technology & Innovation, Energy & Infrastructure and Finance sectors globally. Clients worldwide call on our teams for forward-looking commercial advice on transactions, litigation and compliance matters. They bring distinctive quality, teamwork and value to the table – and innovate in everything we do.
This year, Ayuda honors Orrick with the 2022 Pro Bono Service Impact award for their special and significant contribution to Ayuda’s legal pro bono program in the last year.
Orrick has demonstrated a staunch commitment to Ayuda’s mission and clients through extraordinary pro bono representation as part of Ayuda’s pro bono program.
In particular Orrick’s support and leadership in representing trafficking clients with approved T-Visas in adjustment of status proceedings has been invaluable.
2022 Event Sponsors
Event Sponsorship Levels & Benefits
Standing with Immigrants is a major signature fundraising event for Ayuda. To enable Ayuda to sustain and expand its important legal, social and language access services, we invite you to join Standing with Immigrants as a sponsor. The funds raised through your generosity will directly impact the lives of low-income immigrants in Washington, D.C, Virginia and Maryland.
To view full list of sponsorship opportunities, please visit here. You can submit a sponsorship form to Laura Trask at [email protected]
Individual ticket available here.
Event Sponsors
List updated as sponsors are confirmed. Updated March 17, 2022.
Realizing Dreams $25,000+
Rebuilding Faith $15,000+
Protecting Rights $10,000+
Social Impact $5,000+
Underwriting $3,000+
Blank Rome
Clark Construction
CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield
Joseph, Greenwald & Laake, PA
Michael Tubman and Samir Luther
Friends of Ayuda Circle
Alicia Sosman
American University, Washington College of Law
Barbara Laur and Michael Lux
Calderon Seguin PLC
Crowell & Moring LLP
Community House Church
Diann and Alan Cashell
Diego Marquez
Eileen Alicea
Elizabeth Engel
Exelon
Evelyn and Bob Wrin
JBG SMITH
Kevin Metz
La Casita Pupuseria
Lori Faeth
Outten & Golden LLP
Paul and Cathy Schmidt
Stacy L. Brustin and Jeffrey S. Gutman
Susan Rider and Todd Porter
Susan Ness and Lawrence Schneider
TEGNA, Inc.
Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati
Steering Committee

Craig Silliman
Executive Vice President and Chief administrative, legal, and public policy officer
Craig Silliman is executive vice president and chief administrative, legal and public policy officer. He is responsible for Verizon’s supply chain, real estate, public policy, legal, regulatory and security groups. Before assuming his current position in July 2019, Silliman was executive vice president for public policy and general counsel, responsible for leading the company’s public policy, legal, regulatory, government affairs and security groups. He has also served as senior vice president for public policy and government affairs, with responsibility for Verizon’s global public policy, federal and state legislative affairs, federal regulatory affairs, strategic alliances, national security, privacy and corporate citizenship.
He has served in a number of other senior management roles at Verizon, including senior vice president and general counsel for Verizon’s wireline consumer, business and wholesale groups globally, and senior vice president and deputy general counsel, with responsibility for antitrust, intellectual property, national security, privacy and strategic product support.
Prior to joining a Verizon predecessor company in 1997, Craig was an attorney in the international trade practice at Collier, Shannon, Rill & Scott (now Kelley, Drye & Warren) in Washington, D.C.
Corporate and charitable leadership
Since 2011, Craig has served on the Board of Trustees of the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra. He has also taught international telecommunications regulation as an adjunct professor at the American University School of Law in Washington, D.C.
Personal and educational background
Craig earned his law degree from the University of Virginia and is a member of the bar in Maryland, New Jersey, and Washington, DC. He is married with three sons and in his free time enjoys reading, cycling, traveling and vegetable gardening.
Honorary Host Committee
U.S. State Senators
- Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD)
- Senator Mark Warner (D-VA)
U.S. Representatives
Representative Jamie Raskin (MD-8)
District of Columbia Council Members
- Councilmember Charles Allen
- Councilmember Mary M. Cheh
- Councilmember Brooke Pinto
- Councilmember Brianne K. Nadeau
- Councilmember Elissa Silverman
- Councilmember Brooke Pinto
Virginia State Senators and Delegates
Virginia State Senators
- Senator Jennifer B. Boysko
- Senator Adam P. Ebbin
- Senator Janet Howell
- Senator Scott A. Surovell
Virginia State Delegates
- Delegate Karrie K. Delaney
- Delegate Elizabeth R. Guzman
- Delegate Mark L. Keam
- Delegate Michelle Maldonado
Maryland State Senators and Delegates
Maryland State Senators
- Senator Malcolm Augustine
- Senator Brian J. Feldman
- Senator Benjamin F. Kramer
- Senator Ron Watson
- Senator Paul G. Pinsky
Maryland State Delegates
- Delegate Gabriel Acevero
- Delegate Julie Palakovich Carr
- Delegate Lorig Charkoudian
- Delegate Wanika Fisher
- Delegate Anne R. Kaiser
- Delegate Ken Kerr
- Delegate Marc Korman
- Delegate David Moon
- Delegate Cheryl Summers Landis