Our Board, Officers and Staff
Anne R. Thorward, President
Anne grew up in central Los Angeles. Her first career was teaching elementary school in LA. She lived in Mexico and taught two years in Europe. Upon returning to USA, Anne prepared income taxes, worked in real estate management followed by a long career as a Financial Advisor with Mass Mutual in DC area & CA. Soon after moving to Claremont, a neighbor mentioned that a ninth-grade Syrian refugee student needed tutoring. Anne answered the call. Through this connection she met the student’s family, other refugees, members of a local mosque, more volunteers, neighbors, faith groups, politicians and more. In early 2017, a dear friend suggested that she start an ACCESS organization in LA County; thus, the Newcomers Access Center idea was born. NAC was incorporated the following spring. Anne sold her business and now has more time for her passion: doing social justice work. Anne says that “Life is good when I see a new baby arrive, a refugee gets a new job or refugee students start college. I serve with joy and delight.” Anne and her husband Tom, a computer expert, enjoy gardening, reading, entertaining and travel. They have four daughters and eight grandchildren.
Andy Winnick, Treasurer
Originally from Brooklyn NY, Andy is now a Professor Emeritus of Economics and Statistics at Cal State University, Los Angeles, and served as Associate VP for Academic Affairs / Dean of Faculty. He is a community activist nationally and locally in a myriad of issue areas. Andy calls himself a Political Economist. Andy has worked in the areas of macroeconomics at the interface of economics, political science, sociology and history. He has served as professor at several universities including as a faculty trainer at Bethlehem University in the Palestinian Occupied Territories; and is the author of two books: The Changing Distributions of Income and Wealth in the U.S. and The Impact of Israel’s Founding Myths on the Prospects for a Two-State Solution. He has worked extensively on foreign policy, focusing on the Middle East. Andy’s many faceted experiences will bring unique perspectives to NAC. Andy and his wife. Martina Ebert, have four grown children.Treasurer
Angel Choukeir, Secretary
Angel Choukeir is a dedicated person with a passion for both fitness and scientific research. He owns a personal training business taking pride in helping people achieve their health and fitness goals. He conducts biochemistry and molecular physiology research for a local university, merging cutting-edge research into application. He is currently a premedical student intending to pursue a medical degree with a focus on global healthcare. His goal is to work with Doctors Without Borders and provide medical services in underserved communities around the world. He says that he is “forever grateful for the opportunities I have made within the community.” Angel has certainly demonstrated his volunteer service as a terrific multi-talented, energetic worker at NAC doing various tasks over the years with clients, staff and other volunteers.
Danny Hsu, Board Member
Danny and his family immigrated from Asia to Los Angeles when he was 7 years old. After trying out many majors as an undergraduate at UC San Diego, Danny decided to focus on history and eventually took a PhD in history from UCLA. He has conducted research in China as a Fulbright scholar and has published on various topics related to China. He recently finished editing a four-volume anthology of classical Chinese prose that will be published in 2022. Danny loves working with first-generation college students to help them reach their full potential. Danny enjoys good hikes, the challenge of rock climbing, and working on his jazz guitar chops.
Rehana Mowjood, Board Member
Rehana Mowjood is an American Muslim who is active in various service religious, educational and interfaith organizations throughout California. Rehana was instrumental in setting up the college-counseling program at the City of Knowledge School in Pomona, and she served as that school’s College Guidance Counselor till she retired. She is a long-time member of the Upland Interfaith Council and the Claremont Interfaith Council for Peace in the Middle East. In these organizations she has helped organize various interfaith activities throughout the Inland Empire including the annual Walk for Peace, Interfaith Prayer Breakfast, Interfaith Seder and Walk for the Hungry to name a few. She has served two terms on the board of the Islamic Center of the Inland Empire. She is also on the Advisory Council of the Umma Free Clinic in South Central Los Angeles and a founding member of IMPACT So Cal, an organization that provides housing and rental assistance to the needy. Rehana received her BA in Finance from Cal State San Bernardino and College Guidance Counseling Certification from the University of California, Riverside. She currently lives in Upland California.
Chris Kemble, Board Member
Chris has lived in Southern California her entire life and moved to Claremont a few years ago. She worked in the telecommunications industry as an Account Manager for 37 years before retiring and starting her second career as a National Sales Manager for a Telecommunications Deployment Company, retiring again 13 years later. One day, Chris stopped by Newcomers Access Center to drop off a donation. That was in the Fall of 2021 and she began colunteering. She says, “I found I just needed to stay and do anything I could to help the refugees become acclimated to their new lives. Along with traveling and playing with my grandchildren, this is what I envisioned for my retirement. I’m here to stay.”
Ed Chang, Board Member
Ed’s parents immigrated from South Korea to the US shortly after he was born. He grew up in Southern California and ultimately went to UCLA for both college and medical school. He completed his urologic residency at University of Washington in Seattle where he met his amazing wife Gina and where they got married. After residency, they moved to Southern California for Ed’s fellowship in urologic oncology and robotics at City of Hope. After his fellowship, Ed started a job at Southern California Permanente Medical Group as a urologic oncologist at the Kaiser hospitals in the Inland Valley. Although his job can be emotionally draining, Ed sees his urologic oncologist career as a calling, and he is thankful to be doing something that he is very passionate about. Ed and his wife, Gina, enjoy walking around their neighborhood, playing pickleball, and watching Korean dramas. They also attend and serve at Solid Rock Church in Claremont.
Thomas Thorward, Chief Financial Officer
Tom was born Albany, NY. He earned a BA in International Economics at University of Michigan. As a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Philippines, Tom worked with a regional planning board. He earned a Master of Public Policy from UM then settled in Washington, DC. While working in governmental, non-profit and private consulting organizations he specialized in financial analysis, systems design and software development. Tom met his wife Anne in DC area. In 1987 he founded a consulting firm that developed financial reporting systems and other database applications for government and private industry clients. He closed his company and retired in 2018; allowing him more time to share his skills as a volunteer and leisure hobbies. These include international travel, gardening, Latin ballroom dancing, gourmet cooking, and fly fishing.
Kim Peasley, Office Administrator, Webmaster
NAC‘s administrator and webmaster Kim Peasley earned a Bachelor’s in political science and a Master’s in Journalism, both from UC Berkeley. Her experience includes working as a legislative aide for a state senator and as a director of public relations at Pitzer College in Claremont and Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona. In addition to working for NAC, Kim is a freelance creative professional at creativezazz.com, providing writing, graphic design, web design and other services for education, nonprofits and businesses. Kim lives in Claremont.
Anna Cook, Office Assistant
Anna was born and raised in California, and currently lives in Claremont. She returned to college after having children and earned a B.A. in Gender and Ethnic Studies and a M.S. in Regenerative Studies (Sustainability), both from Cal Poly Pomona. Her master’s thesis explores Indigenous relationships to plants and land, while highlighting the effects of settler colonialism. She worked in the plant nursery industry before bringing her skills to the Newcomers Access Center. Anna is an advocate for social, environmental, and food justice as well as relationship building with nature. She enjoys traveling, gardening, reading, and is working on establishing a snail farm.