Meet the Team

Office Team

Rev. dr. Mar Imsong

Executive Director of Massachusetts Baptist Multicultural Ministries and the ACE Center for New Americans

Rev. Dr. Mar Imsong currently serves as the Executive Director of both Massachusetts Baptist Multicultural Ministries and the ACE Center for New Americans. Rev. Imsong is a trainer, coach, mentor, public speaker, and preacher. Originally from Nagaland in northeast India, he holds a doctoral degree (Th.D.) in Social Ethics from the Boston University School of Theology.


Lugyi No

Programs & Evaluation Manager

Lugyi No, leads program coordination, monitoring, and evaluation at Massachusetts Baptist Multicultural Ministries (MBMM) in Lowell, supporting cross-cultural initiatives serving immigrant and refugee families. Originally from Myanmar, Lugyi brings expertise in program management, research and evaluation, and bilingual community engagement. Currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Research & Evaluation in Education at UMass Lowell, he is dedicated to strengthening data-informed programs that enhance access, inclusion, and well-being for New American communities.


Myat The Thitsar

PROJECTS IMPACT & GRANT MANAGER

Myat The Thitsar is Project Impact and Grant Manager at MBMM, bringing inclusive experience in research, project management, and grant oversight. She holds a Ph.D. in Global Studies from the University of Massachusetts Lowell and an M.A. in International Relations from California State University, Fresno. Previously, she co-founded and led Nyan Corridor (formerly Enlightened Myanmar Research Foundation-EMReF), directing governance, media, and digital rights initiatives. She has managed donor-funded projects, designed impact frameworks, and contributed to global studies such as the State of the Humanitarian System 2025. Widely published on social media politics and identity in Myanmar, she is committed to advancing impactful, accountable, and community-rooted programs at MBMM.


REBECCA TIWARI

PROGRAM COORDINATOR FOR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & SUPPORT

Rebecca Tiwari is the Program Coordinator for Community Engagement and Support at the Massachusetts Baptist Multicultural Ministries (MBMM), serving through the ACE Center and the Transcultural Pastoral Ministry Program (TPMP). Originally from Nepal, she previously taught at Nepal Baptist Bible College, where she trained future ministry leaders. Rebecca holds a Master of Divinity from India and continues her ministry work in the U.S. as a worship leader at a Nepali church in Somerville, Massachusetts. At MBMM, she mentors pastors within Ethnic Congregational Groups, supports women’s empowerment initiatives, fosters cross-cultural community engagement, and strengthens programs at the ACE Center.


BEN IMSONG

ACE CENTER COORDINATOR

Bendangla Imsong, originally from Nagaland in Northeast India, brings over 20 years of experience in teaching and working with children. After graduating from the Eastern Theological College, she began her career as an assistant librarian. A few years later, she discovered her true calling as a teacher in an elementary school in India. She also taught in preschools in Massachusetts, where she received certification in early education.
Bendangla finds immense joy in watching children learn and grow, marveling at their development over just a few years. Her extensive experience with children has been invaluable in raising her own three children, who are all now gainfully employed and successful in their careers.
Currently, she serves as the Program Coordinator at the ACE Center for New Americans. In this role, Bendangla finds great fulfillment in making a difference in the lives of immigrants and refugees through various projects, including the After School program, ESOL classes, and the ACE Shoppe, which distributes household goods, clothing, and diapers for children.
In her spare time, Bendangla enjoys crocheting, knitting, window shopping, cooking, and tending to the plants and flowers around her home. Her diverse interests and dedication to helping others reflect her deep commitment to nurturing and supporting those around her.


Lima

Digital Media & Communications

Lima is a professional from India, currently working with MBMM and the ACE Center for New Americans. He supports the organizations by providing technical expertise in video editing, social media management, and website administration, helping strengthen their digital presence and outreach.

Fritznel Charles

HAITIAN & LATIN X COMMUNITY OUTREACH COORDINATOR

Fritznel Charles, an Outreach Coordinator for Haitian & Latin X communities, helps the ACE Center for New Americans in providing service to families from Haitian & Latin X communities. He is originally from Haiti and has lived in Chile where he was a pastor.


Bahara Hussaini

AFGHAN COMMUNITY OUTREACH COORDINATOR

Bahara Hussaini leads the Afghan Women Empowerment Program at the ACE Center. She is a Fulbright Scholar, who holds a master’s degree in Peace and Conflict Studies from the University of Massachusetts Lowell and a bachelor's degree in Political Science and Public Administration from the American University of Afghanistan, obtained in 2018.

As an accomplished scholar and passionate advocate for education, peace, and women's empowerment, Bahara founded "The Bookies," a volunteer movement aimed at fostering peace through education among Afghan children since 2019. This innovative initiative has seen Bahara and her team actively promoting a culture of harmony and acceptance across five provinces in Afghanistan.

At the ACE Center, Bahara is dedicated to supporting Afghan women and girls in Lowell, helping them achieve their personal and professional goals and adapt to a new environment. Her hobbies include reading books, watching movies, exploring nature, and trying new recipes.

Bahara has published two papers: her most recent work, "Repression Against Religious Minorities: A Case Study of Hazaras in Afghanistan," is her Master's thesis. Her earlier paper, "E-Tazkira: Evolution, Opportunities and Challenges," was published in the Women and Public Policy Journal in May 2018 by the Policy Research and Development Organization (DROPS).

Tahina Pierre

ACCOUNTING & DATABASE SPECIALIST

Tahina Pierre, a first generation Haitian American who was born and raised in the greater Boston area. She is a rising senior at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. Working towards a degree in Clinical Psychology with a minor in Race and Ethnicity, Tahina is dedicated to community outreach. While being of Haitian descent, Tahina is enthusiastic and open to learning about all different cultures including more of her own.

Tahina has always been the kind of person to help others. With that came a lifelong dream of working in the medical field. Tahina hopes to one day focus her aid on the underrepresented communities of color throughout the country. Working with MBMM and ACE allows Tahina to take the necessary steps towards her goals. She enjoys working with the new American children and hopes to aid with the adults as well. Being able to help these new Americans feel a little more comfortable in this foreign country is a continuous reward for her.

In her free time, Tahina enjoys spending time with friends and family. She often tries new activities around the city and attempts to work on numerous hobbies. Tahina also enjoys reading and listening to music. Though trying new foods is definitely her favorite activity.


ETTA ANDERSON

ESOL COORDINATOR


Cultural Advocates

DARYN STYLIANOPOULOS

WHITE CULTURAL ADVOCATE

MIGUEL DA SILVA

PORTUGUESE CULTURAL ADVOCATE

Dominique Jean

MIXED HAITIAN ADVOCATE

JOHN ASANTE

AFRICAN CULTURAL ADVOCATE

Larry Kim

ASIAN CULTURAL ADVOCATE

RUBENIA BOMATAY PALACIOS

LATINX CULTURAL ADVOCATE

LUCIEN MYTHIL

HAITIAN CULTURAL ADVOCATE

MARIA EFIGENIA PAIVA

PORTUGUESE CULTURAL ADVOCATE

MOREEN HUGHES

AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURAL ADVOCATE