Iowa Council for International Understanding

2009 Passport to Prosperity:

A Celebration of Iowa's Immigrants and Refugees

ICIU is pleased to announce its four honorees for its 2009 Passport to Prosperity: A Celebration of Iowa's Immigrants and Refugees Gala. For more information, please click on each honoree's name or picture. The 2009 honorees are:

	Suku Radia Suku was born in Uganda and immigrated to the U.S. to attend Iowa State University. Described as one of the most generous and community-spirited business leaders in Des Moines, Suku has chaired major boards and mentored hundreds of young professionals. He is currently CEO and President of Bankers Trust.
	Ying Sa Ying was born in Beijing, immigrated to Canada and later to Iowa where she has contributed significantly to the development of new jobs and new businesses in Iowa through the founding of her own company, Community CPA and Associates, and as founder of the Immigrant Entrepreneurs Summit. What motivates Ying is giving back to the community.
	Yogesh Shah, M.D. Dr. Shah was born in Mumbai, India, where following the completion of medical school, he immigrated to the U.S. and has provided care to people with memory problems. The Associate Dean for Global Health at Des Moines University, Dr. Shah is currently helping to make Iowa a growing resource for information on global health.
	Sol Varisco-Santini Sol was born in Parana Entre Rios, Argentina, and immigrated to Iowa to study Spanish Education. She is the Migration and Refugee Services Program Coordinator for the Catholic Diocese. Sol addresses the housing, food and transportation needs of refugees; her mission is to bring justice for refugees and immigrants.

ICIU's signature annual event, the Passport to Prosperity dinner, will be held on Saturday, Oct. 3. The dinner will feature a menu reflecting authentic cuisine from each of the honorees' native countries, as well as entertainment reflecting the authenticity of our honorees. Tickets must be purchased in advance. Tickets are $50 per person or $500 for a table of 10. They are available by contacting the Iowa Council for International Understanding at 515-282-8269. For more information, please e-mail ICIU Executive Director Judith Conlin at judith.conlin@iciu.org.