Aerlande Wontamo

Aerlande Wontamo serves as the Senior Vice President of US Programs at World Relief, leading the organization's refugee resettlement and immigrant services across the United States since January 2023. Prior to this role, Wontamo worked at Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington from December 2018 to December 2022, where responsibilities included overseeing program operations as the Deputy Director and directing the Permanent Supportive Housing Programs. Wontamo's earlier experience includes a notable tenure at Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area, where leadership spanned various roles, including Senior Director and Regional Director, focusing on refugee services and federal funding. Wontamo holds a Master of Public Health in Behavioral Sciences from Saint Louis University and a degree in Economic Development from Eastern Mennonite University.