Nanette Thomas is Board Member and Secretary, Sierra Leone Arc of Hope. Nanette is the National Coordinator

and Second-in-Command Attitudinal and Behavioural Change (ABC) Secretariat in Sierra Leone. Before her appointment Nanette work for the Center for Survivors of Torture as the Client Social Services Coordinator, where she was responsible for coordinating the integration of social services and various case management functions in the client’s care to help achieve overall wellness goals. She also works as the Employment Coordinator for the Regional Dallas Office of the International Rescue Committee in the United States of America where she works with newly resettled refugees from Africa, the Middle East and Southeast Asia.

Prior to her appointment in 2003, Nanette was the Employment Services Case Manager for Catholic Charities Empowerment and Refugee Services. Her strong passion and advocacy for the challenges facing refugees, and worldwide human trafficking led to her appointment to the United Nations (UN) Dallas Chapter Advisory Board. She has served on the Board as Vice-President for Education, and Liaison Officer in the Refugee Section. Nanette has over 16 years experience working with the Mano River Union, an international sub-regional organization for three West African Countries. She was also founder & President of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom in Sierra Leone (the first African Chapter).

In 1998, due to the political unrest in Sierra Leone, Nanette sought refuge in the United States of America where she quickly adapted, and brought over her 5 children. Working full-time and attending school part-time, Nanette earned her Associates Degree in Applied Sciences with a major in Social Work from Dallas’ East Field College and her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Argosy University.