TAHIRIH - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Co - Director of Client Advocacy
- Member of the AILA DC
Adilene Nuñez Huang joined Tahirih in 2018. Adilene most recently served as the Managing Attorney for the Greater DC office. In her current role as the Co-Director of Client Advocacy, Legal Services, Adilene ensures that interdisciplinary client services teams have the infrastructure in place and necessary tools to deliver smooth, efficient, high-quality, client-centered, and trauma-informed services to immigrant survivors of gender-based violence.
Adilene is an active member of the AILA DC chapter, has written on bond issues, cancellation of removal for non-lawful permanent residents, has spoken at the national AILA conference and local chapter conference, and she regularly hosts trainings for the Tahirih Pro Bono network to help pro bono attorneys develop practical, trauma-informed, and client-centered best practices for working with immigrant survivors of violence. Prior to joining Tahirih, Adilene advocated for immigrants at a boutique immigration law firm in Washington, DC.
"I am inspired by Tahirih's holistic approach to client services. Tahirih not only provides women and girls with immigration and family law assistance and connects clients to social services, but Tahirih also works to advocate for policy changes so that women and girls can live in safety and with dignity. I am thrilled to be part of an organization like Tahirih that works daily to provide lasting change for such a vulnerable population."
Education: Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law, JD; Santa Clara University, BS
Languages: Spanish
Job Titles:
- Co - Director of Client Advocacy
Adriana López joined Tahirih in 2017. Previously the Social Services Program Manager at Tahirih's Greater DC office, Adriana brings nine years of experience advancing immigrants and gender-justice causes through advocacy, training and capacity-building, program development, and direct service work. As Co-Director of Client Advocacy, Adriana strengthens Tahirih's interdisciplinary model of service, where legal and social services staff comprise one interdisciplinary team to holistically address clients' needs and increase their access to safety and justice. Prior to joining Tahirih, Adriana worked at the New York City Alliance Against Sexual Assault, Kids In Need of Defense (KIND), and the Equal Rights Center. She has lived abroad in Latin America, the Caribbean and Europe.
Job Titles:
- Vice President
- Vice President, Transamerica Stable Value Solutions
Aicha Abdoulaye is a survivor, an entrepreneur, a public speaker, and an advocate for survivors of human trafficking and forced marriages. She has been working with the Tahirih Justice Center since 2007. She was honored with the Courageous Voices Award in 2018, and has been a Client Ambassador since 2019, giving speeches, telling her story, and advocating for other survivors. She has recently completed her Google IT Support Professional Certificate and is in the process of setting up an online business selling African jewelry and accessories.
As a former Tahirih client Aicha continues to be an asset through her firsthand experience with the organization and navigating the legal and justice systems in the U.S.
Job Titles:
- Senior Public Policy Associate
Alex joined Tahirih in 2017 as a Policy Associate. He supports the policy team's advocacy initiatives to pass legislation, develop regulations, transform policies, and set legislative precedents. Prior to joining Tahirih, Alex worked as an interpreter and administrative assistant at Bayside Pediatrics in Annapolis, and interned with the International Rescue Committee in Baltimore. He has studied abroad in Spain and Argentina.
"I am inspired by Tahirih's vision of a world in which men and women work as equals for the benefit of humanity, and it's commitment to serving the needs of those at the intersections of multiple forms of vulnerability"
Education: American University, MA; University of Delaware, BA
Languages: Spanish
After engagement with Tahirih as a legal intern and volunteer attorney in 2014, Sasha rejoined Tahirih in 2017. As an Immigration and Family Law Senior Supervising Attorney, Sasha represents and advocates alongside immigrant survivors of gender-based violence on their journeys to safety and justice. Sasha provides advice, counseling, and direct legal representation to survivors in affirmative and defensive asylum, VAWA, T visa and U visa cases, and in domestic relations matters such as divorce, custody, support, protective orders, and Special Immigrant Juvenile Status. Prior to Tahirih, Sasha worked as Senior Direct Representation Attorney for Kids In Need of Defense (KIND), where she represented unaccompanied immigration children in removal proceedings. Sasha was the recipient of the Virginia State Bar Young Lawyers Conference Significant Service Award for the 2015-2017 bar years for her contributions as a Program Chair for the Immigrant Outreach Committee. While in law school, Sasha represented her first client in an affirmative asylum matter as a student attorney in the Refugee and Human Rights Clinic. Sasha was born in Moldova and has spent time abroad in the UK, Europe, Central and South America, and Asia.
As Grant Writer, Alexis is responsible for writing grant proposals and reports for funders who support Tahirih's five local offices, informing current and potential foundation funders about Tahirih's important work and our progress against proposed goals. Alexis joined Tahirih in 2022.
Prior to joining Tahirih, Alexis was the Director of Advancement and Planning at the Spencer Museum of Art at the University of Kansas, where she led grant writing and all other fundraising activities and chaired the Museum's diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility steering committee-Museums Empowered. She has also worked as a grant writer at the Lied Center of Kansas performing arts center, interned at the Robert J. Dole Archive and Special Collections, and served as Children's Liaison for two years at the Milton Public Library.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Partner, BakerHostetler
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Chief Operating Officer of Japan Society
Andrew Connor is the Chief Operating Officer of Japan Society, the premier organization connecting Japanese arts, culture, business, and society with audiences in New York and around the world. He is responsible for leading key internal operations including HR, IT, building operations and revenue generating initiatives. As a member of the leadership team, he is also involved in key external strategic initiatives and management of the Office of the President. Andrew previously served as CHRO for Eurasia Group and its subsidiary GZERO Media. As a member of Eurasia Group's leadership team and head of HR and Administration, Andrew held global responsibility for an employee population in 8 offices spanning 5 countries.
Andrew's prior experience includes work as vice president of an Asia-focused executive search and HR consulting firm, where he managed full-cycle recruiting projects for major multinational corporations doing business throughout the Asia-Pacific region. He began his career as Office Manager of Tahirih Justice Center nearly 20 years ago. Andrew, who graduated summa cum laude from Hamilton College with a bachelor's degree in Chinese language and Russian studies, speaks Mandarin Chinese and has spent time studying and working in Russia, China, Bangladesh, and the UK. He has also completed courses of study at SOAS University of London and the Capital University of Economics and Business in Beijing.
A linguist at heart and an avid reader and traveler, Andrew has visited more than 45 countries, including overland travel from Hanoi to London. Andrew, his wife and two children spend their time in central New Jersey by necessity and the Champlain Islands of Vermont by choice.
Andy Grammer is a Platinum-selling singer-songwriter with a long-standing commitment to the mission of Tahirih Justice Center.
With his 2011 self-titled debut album, Andy became the first male pop star in a decade, since John Mayer in 2002, to reach the Top 10 at Adult Pop Radio on his first two singles, "Keep Your Head Up" and "Fine By Me." The songs sold more than 1.5 million downloads combined.
In just a few short years, Andy has gone on to sell over 100,000 albums, play sold out venues nationwide, perform onstage with Taylor Swift, Train, and Colbie Caillat, appear on an array of national TV shows (including "Dancing with the Stars"), and receive two BMI Pop Music Awards, among many other accomplishments.
In 2013, Andy launched the KathyGramm campaign with Tahirih Justice Center to raise thousands of dollars to protect immigrant women and girls fleeing violence. The campaign honored the memory of his late mother, who was dedicated to women's issues. Since then, Andy has continually tapped into his star power to help women and girls in danger, and he played a key role in Tahirih's 2015 Baltimore-Greater DC Bighearted Attorneys Campaign.
Anusce Sanai (she/her/ella) joined the Tahirih Justice Center in 2012. Anusce is a dedicated and experienced attorney with 10 years of direct legal services and management work in the immigration nonprofit field. She continues to strive for the advancement of equal rights, social justice and race unity while working with survivors of gender-based violence. At the core of her career is a deep-rooted passion for the eradication of systemic racism and oppressive structures that marginalize vulnerable demographics. As such, her career has been shaped through diversity, equity, and inclusion discourse and trainings to provide culturally competent services.
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive Officer
- Spokesperson
Since May 2021, Archi Pyati has served as Chief Executive Officer of the Tahirih Justice Center, taking on the task of leading Tahirih in its service to more than 30,000 women, girls, and other immigrant survivors seeking safety from gender-based violence.
Archi was the Chief of Policy and Communications at Tahirih before assuming the role of CEO. As the Chief of Policy and Communications, Archi led the policy team in using survivor-centered policy advocacy to assist clients in securing the rights that they are entitled, to rebuild their lives.
Archi is also a spokesperson for Tahirih, connecting with lawmakers, media, funders and on coalitions such as the National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence.
Before joining Tahirih, Archi served as Deputy Director of the Immigration Intervention Project at Sanctuary for Families in New York, where she ran a pro bono asylum program and worked with survivors to end female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) from occurring in the United States. Prior to joining Sanctuary for Families, Archi was a senior associate with the Human Rights Defenders Program of Human Rights First.
She brings nearly twenty years of experience in immigration law, women's rights, and public policy advocacy to the CEO role. Archi is a graduate of Brown University and the University of Michigan Law School, where she was named Outstanding Woman Law Student of the Year by the Michigan Women Lawyers' Association.
Job Titles:
- Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Justice / Compass Group
- Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Justice, Compass Group National Accounts
Job Titles:
- Baltimore Advisory Council
Job Titles:
- Executive Director of the GDC - Baltimore Region
- Executive Director, GDC - Baltimore Region
As Executive Director of the GDC-Baltimore Region, Barfonce brings to bear fifteen years of executive level experience in the non-profit sector. At Tahirih, she leads the development and execution of strategy and implementation of Tahirih's immigration, family law, and social services in the Greater DC-Baltimore Region. Barfonce ensures the delivery of high-quality legal and social services case management by engaging regional stakeholders, and overseeing the local office's financial and operational integrity by nurturing and leading exceptional teams. From her previous roles in leading Tahirih's development and fundraising across the region, she has built collaborative relationships with donors and funders to accomplish the critical work locally.
Prior to joining Tahirih, Barfonce served as Executive Director of the Capitol Hill Group Ministry (CHGM), a nonprofit that provides holistic support to individuals and families facing homelessness in Washington, DC. Prior to CHGM, she served as Senior Director and Chief Administration Officer of Central Union Mission, the oldest non-profit organization in Washington that provides safe shelter and transformative, compassionate care to individuals and families who live on the margin. Barfonce has a demonstrated passion and commitment for the work of Tahirih, having been one of Tahirih's first supporters from its inception. Her strategic vision, strong leadership and exceptional management, and commitment to Tahirih's work will allow the Greater DC office to improve efficiencies and increase its response to the urgent needs of immigrant women and girls in the region.
"I am inspired by Tahirih's unique and unmatched ability to elevate, enable and empower immigrant women and girls press toward transformation and a higher quality of life with dignity and in safety."
Job Titles:
- Senior Finance Manager, Government Grants
Beth Ann Hellert joined Tahirih in 2009. As the Senior Grants Finance Manager, she manages Tahirih's financial grant reporting and related projects. Prior to joining Tahirih, Beth Ann was the Director of Business Operations at the American National Red Cross in the Plasma Services Divison. Before that, she was the Manager of their Business Operations. She spent an academic year at the Universidad de las Americas in Puebla, Mexico.
I am inspired by the courage of the women and girls who seek Tahirih's assistance and their drive to improve their lives and those of their children. I am also inspired by my colleagues' tireless commitment and work in service to these women to help them achieve safety and dignity.
Education: University of Texas at Austin, MBA; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, BA
Languages: Spanish
Job Titles:
- Partner / Hogan Lovells
- Partner, Hogan Lovells LLP
Bitania Endalkachew joined Tahirih in 2022. As the Legal Assistant, Bitania provides critical administrative support to the Afghan Asylum Project by screening survivors, maintaining project case databases, preparing documents, and supporting the project's contract attorneys. Prior to joining Tahirih, Bitania served as a Program Associate on the TIME'S UP Legal Defense Fund housed in the National Women's Law Center. Bitania has worked abroad in Morocco on public health issues at Organisation Pan-Africaine De Lutte Contre Le Sida.
Job Titles:
- Immigration and Family Law Paralegal
Brenda Melgar joined Tahirih in 2019. As the Immigration and Family Law Paralegal in the Greater DC office, Brenda supports our attorneys with important legal tasks like preparing immigration forms and filings; client related work like scheduling and meeting with clients. Brenda comes to Tahirih with fifteen years of paralegal experience. Prior to Tahirih, Brenda was a Senior Paralegal at a private practice, immigration firm, where she gained her passion for helping her immigrant community.
"I am inspired by Tahirih's commitment to serving courageous immigrant women and girls."
Education: George Mason University, Paralegal Certificate
Languages: Spanish
Job Titles:
- Chief of the Office of Institutional Integrity
- Partner and General Counsel, Steptoe & Johnson LLP
Brigida Benitez has been an attorney for almost 30 years, focusing on complex litigation, internal investigations, and global anti-corruption matters. She has litigated cases in federal and state trial and appellate courts throughout the country, including the United States Supreme Court. She conducts internal investigations relating to financial fraud and corruption, employee misconduct, ethics, codes of conduct violations, accounting issues, whistleblower complaints, and sanctions procedures of the World Bank and other international financial institutions. Brigida is past president of the DC Bar, the largest unified bar in the country, with more than 100,000 members worldwide.
Brigida also has served as Chief of the Office of Institutional Integrity of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), heading the independent office responsible for investigating potential fraud and corruption in IDB-financed activities throughout Latin America, and implementing anti-corruption policies and procedures.
She has been recognized by Hispanic Business magazine as a "Woman of the Year" and by Latino Leaders magazine as one of the "25 Most Influential Hispanic Lawyers" in the U.S. Brigida also has been recognized by Super Lawyers for Litigation, by Best Lawyers in America for Employment Law, and by Global Investigations Review as one of the 2018 "Women in Investigations: One Hundred Investigation Specialists From Around the World."
Brigida is fluent in Spanish and is a member of the American Law Institute and a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation.
Education: Boston College Law School, J.D.; University of Florida, B.S.
Job Titles:
- Senior Supervising Finance Manager
Brittany Marshall joined Tahirih in 2017. As Senior Supervising Finance Manager, Brittany is responsible for the grants management, compliance, and accounting services; preparation of budget proposals and reports; and broad customer service to both internal and external stakeholders including Tahirih program directors and sub-grantees. Prior to joining Tahirih, she served as the Program Manager for Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation managing the provision of college scholarships and educational counseling to military children who have lost a parent in the line of duty. Brittany also served as the Operations Manager for the United States Veterans Initiative, the nation's largest nonprofit provider of comprehensive services to homeless and at-risk veterans.
"I am inspired by Tahirih's commitment to gender equality and the common interest of staff and partners to advance women in fulfilling their mission in all departments of life, that they may be on the same level as men and enjoy equal rights."
Education: Virginia State University, BS; Trinity Washington University, MSA
Caitlin Burnett originally joined Tahirih in 2011, but returned in 2017. As Government Grants Manager, Caitlin helps to secure and steward the variety of government funds which support Tahirih's services to survivors across the country. During her time away from Tahirih, she was Grants Officer for Public Justice, an organization dedicated to using impact litigation to combat social and economic injustice, protect the Earth's sustainability, and challenge predatory corporate conduct and government abuses. Before joining Tahirih in 2011, she was in institutional fundraising for a community-based organization serving immigrants and refugees.
"I believe that everyone, as a global citizen, has a role to play in upholding the human rights of our most vulnerable neighbors. I am inspired by the compassion, non-partisanship, and dedication to excellence which are deliberately woven into Tahirih's organizational DNA, and proud to support holistic services for women and girls seeking freedom from violence."
Education: Ithaca College, BA; American University, Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Board Member, Community Overcoming Relationship Abuse
Job Titles:
- Director of Public Policy
- Forced Marriage Initiative Project Manager
Casey Swegman joined Tahirih in 2013. As the Forced Marriage Initiative Project Manager, Casey oversees the provision of specialized social services and safety planning to individuals facing or fleeing forced marriage, as well as technical assistance to service providers across the country. Casey also supports the growth of the national coalition working on the issue of forced marriage in the United States and manages the Forced Marriage Initiative website. Prior to joining Tahirih, Casey was a Special Needs Care Coordinator at the International Rescue Committee and a refugee caseworker at the Refugee Support Center in Nairobi, Kenya, where she lived for two years.
"I am inspired by Tahirih's unconditional dedication to excellence and innovation in serving immigrant women and girls."
Education: Georgetown University, MA; Drexel University, BS
Job Titles:
- Partner / Ballard Spahr LLP
Christine D'Amato joined Tahirih in 2017. As Director of Finance, she is responsible for accounting operations, internal controls and financial reporting. Prior to Tahirih, Christine worked as a controller for the Children's Defense Fund and as a Senior Associate for CohnReznick. She lived in Jesus Maria, Argentina for ten months, living with Argentinian families and learning Spanish.
Job Titles:
- Director of Organizational Development
Christine joined Tahirih in 2017 as the Director of Organizational Development. As Director, Christine is responsible for human resources functions and executing recruitment and retention programs that make Tahirih the first choice for job seekers committed to justice for women and girls. Prior to joining Tahirih, Christine served as the Director of Human Resources at Kids in Need of Defense in Washington, D.C. and as the Director of Human Resources and Administration at Big Brothers Big Sisters Independence Region in Philadelphia. Christine is a former member of the Keystone Alliance for Performance Excellence Board of Examiners and holds her PHR and SHRM-CP certifications
"I am inspired by the courageous women and girls that Tahirih supports and enjoy supporting our team in the important work they do."
Education: University of Delaware, BS in Human Services; Bryn Mawr College, Master in Social Service and Masters in Law and Social Policy (MSS/MLSP)
Job Titles:
- Partner / King & Spalding
Collin joined Tahirih's Atlanta office in 2022. As the Managing Attorney, Collin leads our Atlanta Legal team, working alongside our Social Services advocates to provide our clients with the very best legal representation and counsel.
Prior to joining Tahirih, Collin worked in private practice in Massachusetts and served as the Coordinator of the Immigration Resource Center on Cape Cod, providing free immigration legal services to individuals in need in Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket.
I am inspired every day by our clients. The strength they display in the most challenging and stressful circumstances is incredible. Being part of the Tahirih team that helps our clients get the best possible outcomes for themselves is an honor and a privilege.
Education: University of Alabama, J.D.; Florida State University, B.A.
Languages: English, Spanish, Portuguese
Job Titles:
- Immigration Staff Attorney
Dane joined Tahirih in 2022. As Immigration Staff Attorney in our Greater DC-Baltimore regional office, Dane represents immigrant victims of gender-based violence in Immigration Court and before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Prior to joining Tahirih, Dane worked as an attorney for Winston & Strawn LLP in their eDiscovery & Information Governance Department in DC and as an Immigration Law Clerk with Blessinger Legal PLLC in Virginia. Dane has written several publications including a journal article titled "Constitutional Court Landscape Post-Arab Spring: A Survey of Design," 8 Indiana Journal of Constitutional Design 2 (2021), and a book chapter titled "Refugee Admissions Under the Trump Administration," in "Perceptions and Misconceptions of Donald Trump" (Mohamed A. ‘Arafa ed., Nova Science Publishers, Inc. 2022).
I am inspired by Tahirih's commitment to restorative justice and healing for vulnerable populations who have faced great trauma in their lives. Tahirih dedicates itself to helping immigrant survivors gain safety and security, and I am honored to be part of that work.
Education: Indiana University Maurer School of Law, JD; Indiana University Bloomington, BA
Languages: English, Arabic, and Spanish
As a Senior Supervising Attorney, Daniella advocates alongside immigrant survivors of gender-based violence on their journeys to justice. She provides trauma-informed counsel and legal representation to survivors in defensive and affirmative asylum, VAWA petitions, T visa and U visa petitions, and Special Immigrant Juvenile Status before immigration courts, the Board of Immigration Appeals, and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Daniella also advocates for survivors in their protective order, divorce, and child custody petitions before Maryland state courts.
Job Titles:
- Director, Office of Operations, Legal, Administrative Affairs, HPE
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Partner, Arnold & Porter, Kaye Scholer
Job Titles:
- Distinguished Chair in Health and Wellness, Dean, Wellstar College of Health
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Licensed Psychologist, Compass Health Network
Dr. Neha Batool is a first-generation immigrant from Pakistan. She earned her doctoral degree in counseling psychology in 2021 at the University of North Dakota. She is a licensed psychologist at Compass Health Network in Columbia, Missouri and embodies a multicultural and integrative approach as a core value, reflecting on aspects of socio-cultural, developmental, and contextual framework. Her clinical work consists of provision of supervision, psychological assessments, and psychotherapy services, which primarily incorporate Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Internal Family Systems (IFS).
Dr. Batool is a former Tahirih client. Her passion to support and empower women experiencing gender-based violence led to her dissertation research project entitled, Mental Health Impact of Forced Marriages. Through presentations and trainings grounded in her research, she hopes to continue to increase awareness and understanding of forced marriages within the field of mental health.
Dulce joined Tahirih in 2021. As the Senior Social Services Advocate in the Atlanta office, Dulce conducts biopsychosocial needs assessments for Tahirih clients. She collaborates with the legal and social service teams to provide trauma-informed and client-centered services. Dulce provides crisis intervention, safety planning and education on victim's rights to Tahirih clients. She collaborates with various community agents to connect service seekers to the necessary resources that can empower them and support them through their journey. Prior to joining Tahirih, Dulce worked as a Medical Social Worker in interdisciplinary medical teams at Mount Sinai Hospital in NYC and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta in Georgia. Throughout her work experience she conducted biopsychosocial assessments, crisis intervention and comprehensive care coordination services by advocating and connecting patients to various resources. Dulce was part of a study abroad summer program in Costa Rica during her undergraduate years at Georgia State University. She analyzed the difference in policies and implementation of social services between Costa Rica and the USA.
Job Titles:
- Senior Social Services Program Manager
Eileen joined the Tahirih Justice Center in 2018. As Senior Social Services Program Manager, Eileen provides holistic, culturally-competent, and trauma-informed services to immigrant survivors of gender-based violence. Our client-centered Social Services program connects our clients to appropriate and accessible resources to support their goals. Eileen engages in outreach and advocacy to spread awareness about the challenges facing survivors of gender-based violence in Georgia's immigrant community. Eileen also manages Tahirih Atlanta's Volunteer Program, connecting our supporters to our programs to empower the families that we serve.
Prior to joining Tahirih, Eileen served as Community Youth Advocate with the Southern Poverty Law Center, where she conducted outreach and support to students, incarcerated persons, and immigrants across Florida. Prior to that, Eileen served with Camillus House, an organization assisting the poor and the homeless in the South Florida community. Eileen served as their Community Manager as well as a Case Manager for the women's employment and housing opportunity program.
I am constantly inspired by Tahirih's mission to uplift the voices of immigrant women and girls that have experienced hardships and trauma, and its mission to help these survivors reclaim their agency. Women support and empower our community in a real and beautiful way. It is a privilege to work alongside an organization that believes in the power of gender equality.
Education: Florida International University, MPA & MS Criminal Justice; University of South Florida, BA Criminology
Languages: Spanish
Job Titles:
- Director of Communications
Elaine de Leon Ahn joined Tahirih in 2019. As Director of Communications, Elaine leads the organization's efforts to leverage the power of storytelling, public relations, and marketing to support and advocate for immigrant survivors of gender-based violence. Prior to joining Tahirih, Elaine served as Communications Director at various nonprofit policy and advocacy organizations including Young Invincibles, the Institute for Policy Studies, and the Death Penalty Information Center. She has also served as an Account Manager at Vanguard Communications in Washington, D.C., where she helped build, launch, and manage multifaceted national public education and awareness campaigns. Elaine also served on the Board of Directors of Share, a national organization that serves families who have experienced pregnancy or infant loss, and has been featured in publications about pregnancy and infant loss. Elaine has lived in Cairo, Egypt where she worked with a local organization providing a broad range of services to refugees from Africa.
I feel incredibly lucky to be a part of an organization that takes a holistic approach to serving immigrant survivors of gender-based violence - an organization that recognizes that wider, systemic change is needed while it is actively working to meet the needs of each person who comes through our doors. As a Filipino immigrant, I am inspired by Tahirih's commitment to center the voices of immigrant survivors, and I am committed to letting that guide the work I do as a communicator for the organization.
Education: M.A. in Strategic Communications, American University; Masters in Theological Studies, Wesley Theological Seminary
Job Titles:
- President
- President, SNAC International
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Partner, DLA Piper
Job Titles:
- Digital Communications Manager
Emma joined Tahirih in 2022. As Tahirih's Digital Communications Manager, Emma is responsible for planning and implementing strategies to grow Tahirih's digital presence and online communities as part of the national communications team. Prior to joining Tahirih, Emma served as Digital Marketing Manager at OPERA America, where she led national communications campaigns and facilitated learning and support for marketing professionals at North American arts organizations. She currently serves as the Director of Marketing and Communications at Opera NexGen. Emma is a writer for Opera America Magazine and her work has been featured by Capacity Interactive: Digital Marketing Consulting for the Arts.
I am inspired every day by Tahirih's wholistic, intentional, and collaborative approach to walking alongside survivors on their journey to safety and justice.
Education: Temple University, BM
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Partner, Kirkland & Ellis LLP, Houston
Enoch Varner is a partner in the Houston office of Kirkland & Ellis LLP. His practice concentrates on mergers and acquisitions and private equity transactions.
Before joining Kirkland, Enoch was Vice President and Counsel with Energy Capital Partners, a private equity firm. Prior to Energy Capital Partners, Enoch was a corporate associate in the Chicago and Houston offices of Latham & Watkins LLP.
Enoch completed the JD/MBA program at Northwestern University and received his BA from The University of Georgia.
Job Titles:
- Client Services & Operations Coordinator
Erika joined Tahirih in 2019. As the Client Services & Operations Coordinator, Erika provides critical operational and administrative support to the San Francisco office, including day-to-day office administration, development, and financial duties. She also supports our client services and conducts preliminary screenings of service seekers, assists with client referrals, and supports our volunteer program. Prior to joining Tahirih, Erika worked as an Agency Customer Service Representative, Agency Producer, and Office Manager with Farmers Insurance Agency. and eight extensive years as a Retail Manager at Hugo Boss US.
"I am inspired by Tahirih's vision of a gender-equal society and mission to defend Immigrant Women's rights. And honored to be part of an organization that empowers immigrants who are a vulnerable group and are routinely denied basic rights."
Education: Gavilan College, A.A. Associate Business Administration
Languages: Spanish
Job Titles:
- Actress and Philanthropist
Eva LaRue is an Emmy-nominated actress best known for her starring roles on the television series "CSI: Miami" and "All My Children." Besides appearing in dozens of television shows and films, she has been prominent on the philanthropic scene as a spokesperson for Beckstrand Cancer Foundation, National Ovarian Cancer Coalition, and the National Center for Disease Prevention's Autism Awareness Campaign: Learn The Signs, Act Early.
Eva is dedicated to ending violence against women and creating a world where women and men can live in equality. Most recently, Eva partnered with Tahirih supporters in California to raise lifesaving funds to fuel Tahirih's work and empower women and girls who refuse to be victims of violence.
Feamma Reyes joined Tahirih in 2021. As a Senior Social Services Advocate in the Baltimore office, Feamma is responsible for providing crisis intervention, safety planning, and advocacy services to Tahirih clients in order to ensure the highest level of support and case management as clients rebuild their lives and strive for self-sufficiency. Prior to joining Tahirih, Feamma served as an Outreach and Prevention Specialist with Amatus Health working to educate youth and adults on the intersectionality of intimate partner violence, substance use, and mental health disorders. Before that, she served as a Bilingual Domestic Violence Case Manager with Family and Children's Services.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Merrill Lynch Wealth Management Team
Job Titles:
- Program Director, Clinical Professor - Department of Health Policy and Behavioral Sciences / Georgia State University
Job Titles:
- Forced Marriage Initiative Project Associate
- Forced Marriage Initiative Project Manager
Hellitz Villegas joined Tahirih in 2018. As the Forced Marriage Initiative Project Associate, Hellitz provides direct services to individuals in the U.S. facing or fleeing forced marriage, responds to requests for technical assistance nationally, conducts education and outreach, and helps to craft policy solutions. Prior to joining Tahirih, Hellitz worked with survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence as a hotline advocate with the Women's Center of Jacksonville, Florida's Rape Recovery Team. In addition, she held several positions with Hubbard House, a domestic violence center in Jacksonville, where she facilitated support groups, conducted intakes for children, and served as a resident advocate in the Hubbard House emergency shelter, providing care to shelter residents and responding to crisis calls on the hotline. Hellitz is also an experienced criminal court victim advocate, assisting clients with intake, protection orders, and relocation as well as providing external referrals. With over eight years of experience in the social advocacy setting, Hellitz's career has focused on advising those in crisis by providing support in both therapeutic and educational settings.
The Honorable Dorothy Wright Nelson is a senior judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, a U.S. federal court covering the nine western states. Nelson began her professional career as a research associate at the University of Southern California Law School. She received her Master of Laws from the university in 1956.
Nelson went on to become the Dean of the University of Southern California Law School in 1969 and holds the honor of being the first woman dean of a major American law school. Nelson is a member of the Baha'i Faith and served on its National Assembly for 40 years. While at USC, she served as the Bahá'í representative on the University Religious Council.
Job Titles:
- Houston Events / Houston Advisory Council
Job Titles:
- Houston Advisory Council
- Houston Events / Houston Advisory Council
Job Titles:
- Senior Immigration Policy Counsel
Irena Sullivan originally joined Tahirih in 1998, and has re-joined in 2016. As a Senior Immigration Policy Counsel at Tahirih, Irena advocates within all areas of government, which includes lobbying for or against certain laws, drafting and proposing new laws, engaging with high level government decision-makers on policy matters, and initiating impact litigation. Advocacy is always done in a bipartisan manner and may also include outreach and education to stakeholders, and participation in coalitions and working groups with other advocates. Prior to Tahirih, Irena worked as Associate Counsel for the Refugee & Asylum Law Division of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Citizenship & Immigration Services and as Division Director for the American Bar Association Commission on Immigration. She also previously worked as the Director of Legal Services for the Tahirih Justice Center.
Job Titles:
- Director of Budget and Performance, City of Atlanta, Mayor 's Office of Innovation & Performance
Job Titles:
- Director, Jewish Women 's Giving Foundation, the Associated: Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore
Job Titles:
- Deputy Director at the Bill
- Deputy Director for Gender Equality Policy, Advocacy, and Communications, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Jennifer Okwudili is a Deputy Director at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and leads a team focused on policy, advocacy, and communications for gender equality. In this role she focuses on the development and execution of overarching goals, strategies, and budgets for the team in addition to leading a discrete portfolio of supportive investments and special projects. She is passionate about reducing inequalities and working to accelerate progress and exploring innovative approaches toward achieving policy and finance goals.
Prior to this role, Jennifer worked for six years as a senior program officer at the Gates Foundation, leading a policy and advocacy portfolio on domestic education. Before joining the Gates Foundation, Jennifer served in numerous roles within the New York City Department of Education, and in D.C. Public Schools, where she worked in their Office of Teacher Effectiveness. She has worked as a policy researcher for several think tanks including the Center for an Urban Future and the Center for Social Justice. She is a proud alum of the Georgetown University Praxis Fellowship in Education; AmeriCorps: Jumpstart; and Education Pioneers, where she worked as a consultant with the Nellie Mae Education Foundation.
Jennifer holds a B.S in International Politics from Georgetown University, and an M.A. in Politics and Education from Columbia University, where she studied the ways in which politics and education affect one another through systems of governance, institutions, ideologies and race.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Partner, McDermott Will & Emery
Job Titles:
- Data Associate
- Reporting and Data Associate
Jessica Horning joined Tahirih in 2017. As the Reporting and Data Associate, Jessica studies internal data to ensure accurate grant reporting and impact analyses. Prior to joining Tahirih, Jessica worked as a research associate with Wider Opportunities for Women in Washington, DC and interned with the Texas Early Childhood Education Coalition in Austin, Texas. Jessica spent much of her childhood abroad and has lived in Germany, Russia and Thailand.
"I am inspired by Tahirih's commitment to the safety and dignity of women and girls both directly from a legal standpoint, and indirectly through partnerships and grants to provide for physical and emotional needs as well."
Education: James Madison University, BSW; University of Texas at Austin, MSSW
Languages: French, Spanish
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Vice President of Corporate Development and Strategy at SiriusXM
- Vice President, Corporate Development & Strategy, SiriusXM Radio Inc.
Jian Khodadad is the Vice President of Corporate Development and Strategy at SiriusXM. He is an experienced corporate development and strategic partnerships leader with significant background in deal negotiation, business case development, investments & acquisitions, post-deal implementation, corporate strategy, and marketing.
Jian received his bachelor degree in Economics from Lake Forest College and his MBA from Georgetown University.
As an Emmy, Golden Globe, and Screen Actors Guild award winner, Julianna Margulies has achieved success in television, theatre, and film.
In 2016 Margulies ended her seven year run in the award winning "The Good Wife." The role of Alicia Florrick, won her a second Emmy, a Golden Globe, and two additional SAG Awards.
Margulies began her acting career in the theatre department at Sarah Lawrence. Her first major television role was nurse Carol Hathaway on the hit series ER, for which she won an Emmy and two SAG Awards. She achieved further TV recognition for her recurring role as Julianna Skiff on The Sopranos.
In 2001, Margulies won the Lucille Lortel Award for her performance in Jon Robin Baitz's Ten Unknowns at Lincoln Center. She made her Broadway debut in 2006 as Helene in critically acclaimed Festen.
Her film credits include City Island, which won the Tribeca Audience Award at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2009, and 2012's Stand Up Guys with Al Pacino, Christopher Walken, and Alan Arkin.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Actor and Director
Justin Baldoni is an actor, director, and social entrepreneur who has long dedicated his talents and time in service of humanity.
Justin currently stars as "Rafael" on the CW Golden Globe winning hit "Jane the Virgin." He is also the founder of Wayfarer Entertainment, a digital, film, and television production company focused on celebrating and elevating the human spirit through socially conscious and compelling media.
As a director, Justin has touched the hearts of millions through his inspiring documentaries, commercials, and music videos. In 2012, Justin's Wayfarer Entertainment partnered with SoulPancake to create the award-winning Web series "My Last Days." The show, which illuminates the inspiring last days of individuals with terminal illnesses, is one of the most watched online documentary series ever. Justin's recent documentary series, "Stories From the Street," profiles the Los Angeles homeless, giving a voice to those who would have otherwise been silenced and overlooked.
Job Titles:
- Media Relations Coordinator
Karla Flores joined Tahirih in 2021. As the Media Relations Coordinator, Karla is responsible for raising visibility of the work we do within the organization. From pitching stories to multiple media outlets, to prepping survivors for interviews about their story. Karla has 6 years of experience in the broadcast news industry. She started her career as a journalist when she worked for Telemundo Washington DC in 2015. Then, in 2018, she began working as a bilingual reporter and anchor in Washington DC for NBC Universal. While working as a reporter, Karla told hundreds of stories about immigration and human rights.
"I am inspired by Tahirih's vision to end gender-based violence and their fight to provide women and girls a safer home."
Education: George Mason University
Languages: Spanish and English
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Partner, Mergers and Acquisitions Corporate Governance, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
- Partner, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
Katherine (Kady) Ashley is a partner in the Washington, DC office of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, specializing in M&A and general corporate and securities law. Kady advises public and private companies in sales, acquisitions, minority investments, hostile and friendly transactions, stock and asset transactions, proxy contests, auctions, joint ventures and other strategic transactions. Kady started at Skadden in 1996, following a judicial clerkship with the Honorable Ernest Torres on the Federal District Court for the District of Rhode Island.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Partner, Hogan Lovells
Job Titles:
- President, L.M. Miller Consulting
Job Titles:
- Executive Director of the Wellesley Centers for Women / Professor and Chair of the Africana Studies Department
- Executive Director of the Wellesley Centers for Women, Professor and Chair of the Africana Studies Department, Wellesley College
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive Officer
- Founder
- Founder and Senior Advisor to the CEO
Layli Miller-Muro is the founder of the Tahirih Justice Center. She established Tahirih in 1997 following her involvement in a high-profile case that set national precedent and revolutionized asylum law in the United States. Fauziya Kassindja, a 17-year-old girl who had fled Togo in fear of a forced polygamous marriage and female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C), was granted asylum in 1996 by the U.S. Board of Immigration Appeals. This decision opened the door to gender-based persecution as grounds for asylum. Using her portion of the proceeds from the book Layli and Fauziya co-authored about the case, "Do They Hear You When You Cry?," Layli created the Tahirih Justice Center in 1997 to serve immigrant survivors of gender-based violence seeking safety and justice.
Layli led Tahirih in its service to more than 31,000 women and children, growing the non-profit from a staff of six to over 100, and expanding its offices from Greater DC to Houston, Baltimore, Atlanta, and the San Francisco Bay Area. In recognition of its sound management and innovative programs, under Layli's leadership, Tahirih won the Washington Post Award for Management Excellence and gained recognition for its innovative use of pro bono services in the Stanford Social Innovation Review.
Prior to joining Tahirih as Chief Executive Officer, Layli was an attorney at the law firm of Arnold & Porter, where she practiced international litigation and maintained a substantial pro bono practice. Prior to joining Arnold & Porter, Layli was an attorney-advisor at the U.S. Department of Justice, Board of Immigration Appeals.
Layli is a frequent lecturer and has appeared in numerous news outlets including CNN, Fox News, The New York Times, NPR, The Wall Street Journal, and The Washington Post. She lives in the Washington, DC area with her husband and three children.
Layli Miller-Muro founded Tahirih in 1997 after her involvement in a case that revolutionized asylum law.
Job Titles:
- Professor of Law, University of Maryland School of Law
Job Titles:
- Program Director for Global Policy and Advocacy, Futures Without Violence
Job Titles:
- General Counsel
- Member of the Merrill Lynch Wealth Management Team
- Senior Associate
- Senior Associate General Counsel, Freddie Mac
Job Titles:
- Community Engagement and Strategic Partnerships Manager
- Strategic Partnerships Manager for the Greater DC - Baltimore Regional
Shea Lamanna joined Tahirih in 2022. As Community Engagement and Strategic Partnerships Manager for the Greater DC-Baltimore Regional office, Shea supports Tahirih's development goals through the management of local partnerships, donor cultivation, and the execution of fundraising events and campaigns. Before coming to Tahirih, Shea was on the Outreach team for the American Bar Association's South Texas Pro Bono Asylum Representation Project (ProBAR) and served as Development Director for DC-based nonprofit- the Interfaith Council of Metropolitan Washington.
Shea is the recipient of the Outstanding Civic Engagement award by Campus Compact. She is a published researcher and novelist. Shea has lived in Germany and Wales while studying and researching European naturalization laws and asylum policies affecting refugee populations. She has solo travelled to 14 other countries in Europe and Asia.
"I am inspired by the story of Tahirih and they ways in which her legacy of courage and resilience are reflected in our team and in the women and girls we serve."
Education: American University, MA; West Virginia University, BA
Job Titles:
- Attorney
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Board Secretary, Attorney, Coughlin Midlige & Garland LLP
- Secretary of the New Jersey State Bar Association Section of Real Property
Maria A. Cestone is an attorney with Coughlin Midlige & Garland LLP in Morristown, New Jersey. She concentrates her legal practice in the areas of estate planning and administration (domestic and International), the counseling of fiduciaries regarding estate, trust and charitable administration issues, as well as the creation, implementation and taxation of businesses and succession plans. Her clients include individuals, corporations (for profit and not-for-profit) and fiduciaries.
Maria received her undergraduate degree in Economics and Political Science from Drew University, her law degree from Seton Hall University School of Law and her LL.M. in Taxation from Boston University School of Law. Upon graduation from law school, she clerked for the Hon. David S. Cramp, J.S.C. Maria is admitted to practice law in New Jersey and before the U.S. Tax Court.
Maria serves as Secretary of the New Jersey State Bar Association Section of Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section, having previously served as Legislative Liaison/Assistant Secretary. She is a member of the Business Law Section, the New York-Presbyterian Hospital Planned Giving Advisory Council and the Bergen County Estate Planning Council. Maria is a prior member of the New Jersey Supreme Court Ethics Committee (District VB) and is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP), a worldwide professional association for advisors with clients having international interests. She is conversant in Spanish and co-counsels on transactions in many Spanish-speaking countries.
Maria lectures on topics such as Closely-Held Business, Domestic and International Estate Planning, Trust and Estate Administration, Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts, Tax-Exempt and Charitable Entities, and Board Governance and Liability.
Maria became a member of the Board of Directors of the Tahirih Justice Center in 2014 and has served as Secretary of the Executive Board and co-Chair of the Expansion Council (and other subcommittees) in the years since.
Job Titles:
- Chief of Programs
- in 2021 As the Chief of Programs
Maricarmen Garza joined Tahirih in 2021 as the Chief of Programs. She previously held a 21-year tenure with Texas RioGrande Legal Aid (TRLA). As a TRLA attorney, Maricarmen focused her legal practice on assisting survivors of gender-based violence with complex family law and victim privacy matters. She initiated and managed one of TRLA's most successful, and longstanding projects of the organization, the Legal Alliance for Survivors of Abuse (LASA). LASA is a unique collaboration between TRLA and domestic violence shelters and rape crisis centers in the 68 Texas counties served by TRLA.
Through the LASA Project partnership, Maricarmen ensured that victims received holistic, trauma-informed, and victim centered legal and social services critical to breaking the cycle of violence. In 2010 the LASA project received The Mary Byron Project's Celebrating Solutions Award for its innovative approach to breaking the generational cycle of intimate partner violence. Maricarmen also managed TRLA's Victim Rights Group which included the Legal Aid for Survivors of Sexual Assault team and the Survivor Centered Economic Advocacy team, providing direction, mentorship and supervision.
Maricarmen currently serves on the ABA Commission on Domestic and Sexual Violence (ABA CDSV) and on the boards of the Texas statewide coalitions for domestic violence (TCFV) and for sexual assault (TAASA). Maricarmen was nominated as a leader of color for her expertise in working at the intersections of domestic violence, child welfare, and race equity to join the National Cohort Women Transforming Families: Rising to End Violence, Oppression, and the Legacy of Trauma, and is a part of the Texas Cohort (TWAIS) as well. She also serves as faculty for the ABA CDSV, trains internationally and nationally on issues impacting victims of gender-based violence, has testified as a domestic violence expert in a civil trial, and was appointed to a state legislative taskforce for her expertise in providing civil legal services to victims (Senate Bill 434 -Texas 82 nd Legislature). In 2018, Maricarmen was awarded the Champion for Social Change award by TAASA.
She started her legal career as a staff attorney for Catholic Charities in Houston, representing clients in removal proceedings, VAWA self-petitions, and political asylum cases.
Maricarmen received a Bachelor of Arts in Child Psychology from the University of the Incarnate Word in 1992. She received her J.D. from St. Mary's University School of Law in 1996.
Job Titles:
- Director of Strategic Operations, Engineering, Nutanix
Job Titles:
- Owner
- Owner, Law Office of Marla Zide, LLC
Job Titles:
- Assistant General Counsel
- Vice President
- Vice President and Assistant General Counsel, Host Hotels & Resorts
Job Titles:
- Member of the Merrill Lynch Wealth Management Team
- Managing Director, Bockorny Group
Meaghan Whalen joined Tahirih in 2022. As Director of Development in the national office, Meaghan helps support the organization in achieving its fundraising objectives. She brings over a decade of fundraising experience and is excited to collaborate with the wider team to further strengthen and advance the fundraising program and to cultivate meaningful relationships with Tahirih's stakeholders. Before Tahirih, she served as a Major Gifts Officer of Food & Friends and as Assistant Director of Development with Jesuit Refugee Service/USA both in Washington, DC.
Meghan Berman joined Tahirih in 2021. As an Immigration Attorney in the San Francisco Bay Area office, Meghan provides legal counsel and representation to immigrants who are survivors of gender-based violence in cases including asylum, Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), U Visa, and other immigration remedies. Prior to joining Tahirih, Meghan worked as an immigration attorney at Immigration Center for Women and Children and La Raza Centro Legal. Meghan studied abroad in Madrid, Spain during her time at Stanford University.
"I am passionate about advancing and defending immigrants' rights."
Education: New York University School of Law, JD; Stanford University, BA
Languages: Spanish
Job Titles:
- Communications Coordinator / Writer
- in 2019 As a Grant Writer
Meredith joined Tahirih in 2019 as a grant writer. In 2022, Meredith joined the communications team as the Communications Coordinator/Writer where she supports Tahirih's work through content creation and project management. Prior to joining Tahirih, Meredith served as a Senior Program Associate at IBTCI, a USAID contractor, and as a Research Assistant at Democracy International. Meredith has studied and worked abroad in Spain and Kenya.
"I am inspired by the courageous immigrant survivors of gender-based violence that Tahirih serves who are overcoming incredible obstacles to build better, safer lives for themselves and their families, and by the tireless work of my colleagues to support them and raise awareness about gender-based violence."
Education: George Washington University, MA; University of Virginia, BA
Languages: Spanish
Job Titles:
- Professor of Psychology, Franklin & Marshall College
Job Titles:
- CEO
- CEO, Newbridge Wireless
Job Titles:
- Government Grants Associate
Molly Conrad joined Tahirih in 2019. As Government Grants Associate in the National office, Molly is responsible for grant writing and reporting, prospecting new opportunities for institutional support, and securing the resources necessary to provide services to Tahirih's clients. Prior to joining Tahirih, Molly worked for the State of Florida Department of Children and Families as a Policy Analyst for the Refugee Services Program. As a student, Molly completed an internship in Rabat, Morocco, where she focused on children's rights and adoption.
"I am inspired by Tahirih's commitment to empowering women and girls to live without fear."
Education: Florida State University, BS
Languages: French and Arabic
Job Titles:
- Executive Director, San Francisco Bay Area
Morgan Weibel joined Tahirih in 2010. As Executive Director of Tahirih's San Francisco Bay Area Office, she ensures the delivery of high-quality legal and social services case management, engages regional stakeholders, and oversees the local office's financial and operational integrity. Morgan previously served as Tahirih's Director of the Baltimore office, and as a Supervising Immigration Attorney. She also worked for three years as a paralegal at the Law Offices of Robert B. Jobe, a San Francisco-based firm focusing on asylum and deportation defense. She interned with the Immigration and Refugee Services Department of the Spanish Red Cross in Granada, Spain, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees office in Washington, DC, and at a Swiss Refugee Transit Center.
"I am inspired by the strength and courage of the women and girls that I have the privilege of serving at Tahirih. Their unwavering commitment to breaking century-old cycles of violence against women and the courage that it takes to stand up against their families and traditions is remarkable."
Education
Morgan is a graduate of the University of California at Berkeley with high honors and the University of California Hastings College of Law, where she served as the Scholarly Publications Editor on the Hastings International and Comparative Law Review and was awarded the Judith Stronach Women's Rights Fellowship to work with the Center for Gender and Refugee Studies (CGRS). Morgan also served as a Graduate Research Fellow at CGRS where she drafted a protocol for the investigation of femicides and assisted Professor Karen Musalo in updating sections of her course book related to asylum based on membership in a particular social group. During law school, she interned in the Trial Chambers of the International Criminal Tribunal for Former Yugoslavia and the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda. Her undergraduate honors thesis compared the United States and Canadian applications of gender-based guidelines in asylum law.
Job Titles:
- Senior Financial Advisor, Merrill Lynch Wealth Management
Job Titles:
- Development Officer
- Development Officer at the San Francisco Bay Area
Natasha Piette Basheer joined the Tahirih Justice Center as Development Officer at the San Francisco Bay Area office to help support the organization in achieving its fundraising objectives. She collaborates with the Executive Director and wider team to further strengthen and advance our major gifts program, with a purpose to cultivate meaningful, lasting relationships with Tahirih's donors.
Natasha has more than six years of international experience in donor engagement, campaign coordination, and project management with nonprofits focusing on women and girls' rights. Before Tahirih, she served as Campaign Coordinator of Women's Environmental Network (WEN) based in London, UK. Prior to WEN, she served as Network Coordinator of the Gender & Development Network (GADN).
Natasha lived and worked in the United Kingdom for over a decade, where she also completed her Bachelor's and Master's degrees. She also volunteered with organizations such as Amnesty International UK on campaigns to protect human rights globally, and conducted fieldwork research on sanitation and hygiene issues affecting women and girls in tea estate communities of rural Sri Lanka.
"I am deeply motivated by Tahirih's diligence and determination to secure justice for immigrant women and girls seeking a safe life in the United States. The emphasis on survivor-centered services provides opportunities for Tahirih's courageous clients to live and thrive with dignity."
Education: MA Anthropology: Development and Rights, Goldsmiths, University of London; BA International Development, University of Essex
Languages: English, Spanish, Portuguese
Natasha Prince joined Tahirih in 2021. As an Immigration Attorney in the San Francisco Bay Area office, Natasha provides legal counsel and representation to immigrant women and girls, who are survivors of gender-based violence. Prior to Tahirih, Natasha worked for 7 years as a Regulatory Due Diligence Analyst at Wells Fargo Corporate and Investment Banking handling and advising on risk and compliance issues for derivative trading. While working in the financial industry provided her with invaluable knowledge and expertise, Natasha felt called to be an advocate for women and girls who suffered violence based on their gender.
Preceding Wells Fargo, she worked as an immigration attorney at Fellom and Solorio, a San Francisco based firm that handles a wide spectrum of immigration issues and as a volunteer immigration attorney for Catholic Charities. Natasha was a judicial clerk for the Honorable Justo Arenas of the U.S. District Court of Puerto Rico. She was also a contributing author of Moore's AnswerGuide: Federal Discovery Practice (2009) and Moore's AnswerGuide: Federal Civil Motion Practice (2009).
In college and law school, she studied abroad in Oaxaca, Mexico, Córdoba, Spain, Havana, Cuba, Madrid, Spain, Rhodes, Greece and Thessaloniki, Greece, which instilled in her the love of travel, and learning about different cultures and their history.
"I am passionate about providing a safe space for women and girls to heal and grow and ensuring our clients get the justice and protection that they deserve. "
Education: Northeastern University School of Law, JD; Wellesley College, BA
Languages: Spanish, English
Job Titles:
- Managing Associate General Counsel, Verizon
Job Titles:
- Communications Officer / William and Flora Hewlett Foundation
Job Titles:
- Patient and Surgical Care Coordinator
Born in Bogota Colombia, Olga grew up in an Airforce family and traveled to countries like Brazil, Panama, and the USA. She lived in Colombia until age 9, moved to the United States with family on a diplomatic visa and grew up in Arlington, VA where she graduated from high school and went to college in San Angelo State University in TX on an Air Force Scholarship.
Job Titles:
- Grant Writer
- in 2021 As a Grant Writer
Pamela joined Tahirih in 2021 as a Grant Writer. As a grant writer, Pamela is responsible for writing grant proposals and reports to funders who support Tahirih's five local offices, communicating to current and potential funders the mission of Tahirih and the importance of supporting the organization. Prior to joining Tahirih, Pamela served as a grant writer and communications associate for New Vision Youth Services, Inc. in Virginia and as a Graduate Research Assistant at the Virginia Modeling Analysis and Simulation Centre at Old Dominion University (ODU). Pamela was born in Ghana where she spent most of her life. Pamela has lived and studied in the United Kingdom (UK).
"I am inspired by Tahirih's commitment to assist courageous immigrant women and girls fleeing their country because of sexual assault and gender-based violence."
Education: Old Dominion University, PhD (ABD)
Job Titles:
- Litigation Partner
- Partner, Winston & Strawn LLP
Paul Salvaty is a litigation partner with more than 20 years of trial and appellate experience. He focuses his practice on complex commercial litigation, antitrust and competition, and technology litigation matters. Paul has prosecuted and defended major companies and public agencies spanning many industries in both state and federal courts. He has experience as first chair trial counsel and has successfully represented clients in over $150 million in verdicts and settlements.
Paul is active in the Los Angeles and San Francisco legal communities. Paul currently serves on the board of directors for the Tahirih Justice Center, helping immigrant survivors escape gender-based violence. He previously served as president of the board of directors of the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles.
Paul served as a law clerk for the Honorable Dickran Tevrizian and the Honorable Kim M. Wardlaw at the United States District Court for the Central District of California. He also was a judicial extern for the Honorable Richard Gadbois at the United States District Court for the Central District of California.
Paul Glist - Chief Legal Officer
Paul Glist serves as General Counsel for Tahirih, supporting the management and legal teams and Tahirih's strategic initiatives. Paul served as a member of Tahirih's Board of Directors from 2008-2017, and chaired the Board for most of that decade.
Until his retirement in 2018, Paul was a partner at Davis, Wright Tremaine specializing in cable, Internet, and telecommunications law and policy. He also serves as Chairman of the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Alexandria, Virginia; is a former board member of the Interfaith Council of Metropolitan Washington; former co-chair of the Alexandria Interfaith Association; and former Secretary for the City of Alexandria Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Planning Committee.
Paul has lived in Johannesburg, South Africa and London, England.
"I am inspired by Tahirih's unwavering commitment to fight for equality between women and men and to obtain justice for immigrant survivors of gender-based violence."
Education
Paul received his J.D. from Stanford Law School and his B.A. from Cornell University.
Payal joined Tahirih in 2021. As Managing Attorney for Tahirih San Francisco Office, she provides legal representation to survivors of gender based violence, mentors pro bono attorneys & oversees the San Francisco pro bono program, and manages the legal team. Prior to joining Tahirih, Payal served as a Managing Attorney at Peace Over Violence, Los Angeles, CA. She is a distinguished Women in Policy Fellow, where she had the opportunity to work on CA bills AB 865: Mandatory CSEC training for Resource families (Approved by Governor in October 2019) and SB 493: Gender Equity in Education: Sexual Harassment and Sexual Violence, a bill that will protect California students' civil rights (Approved by Governor in Oct 2020). Also, she serves as an Executive Board Member and a Co-Chair at the Immigration Committee at the International and Immigration Section (CLA) and as an advisor for the California Young Lawyer's Association. She has been awarded CA Senate Certificate for her work in the field of policy advocacy in 2018.
"I am inspired by Tahirih's commitment to provide access to trauma informed, holistic services to overcome barriers that a gender based violence survivor endures in their journey."
Education: USC Gould School of Law, LL.M
Languages: English, Hindi
Penn Badgley is an actor and musician best known for his popular role as Dan Humphrey on "Gossip Girl." He has starred in several films, including John Tucker Must Die, The Stepfather, Easy A, Margin Call, and Greetings from Tim Buckley. Penn currently stars as Joe Goldberg in the TV series thriller "You."
Penn is dedicated to ending violence against women and elevating the voices of immigrant women and girls. As the Master of Ceremonies at Tahirih's 2018 Houston Gala "Change Makers and Culture Shifters," Penn spoke about the importance of empowering women and encouraged men to continue shifting cultural norms.
Job Titles:
- Retired, Former Director of the Baha'I National Center Office of Refugee Resettlement
Job Titles:
- Senior Litigation Counsel
Rachel joined Tahirih in 2018. As Senior Litigation Counsel on our National team and working in our San Francisco Bay Area office, Rachel supports judicial and administrative appeals, impact litigation, and policy advocacy. She previously served as a Staff Attorney at Tahirih and a litigator in Washington, DC. Rachel has traveled extensively in Central and South America.
"I am inspired by Tahirih's commitment to seeking justice hand-in-hand with immigrant women and children who have survived gender-based violence. It's an honor to work every day to build a more gender-equal society."
Education: Georgetown University Law Center, JD; Northwestern University, BS
Job Titles:
- Customer Service Representative, the World Bank
Rainn Wilson is a three-time Emmy nominated entertainer who has reached millions globally through his memorable film and television performances. His unforgettable role as "Dwight" in the "The Office" made him a household name.
Job Titles:
- Senior Litigation Counsel, Used His Expertise in Both Immigration Law and Survivor - Centered Service Provision to Create a New Tool, "Survivor - Centered Legal Writing
Richard Caldarone, Tahirih's Senior Litigation Counsel, used his expertise in both immigration law and survivor-centered service provision to create a new tool, "Survivor-Centered Legal Writing: A Brief Guide." This unique
Rimpal Kaur Bajwa joined Tahirih in 2022. As a Public Policy Innovator, she works to support Tahirih's mission of serving immigrants facing gender-based violence through advocacy and public policy research and compilation. Prior to joining Tahirih, Rimpal previously interned at the United States Equal Opportunity Commission and Grantmakers for Girls of Color.
Job Titles:
- Board Treasurer, Senior Vice President and General Counsel, Hewlett Packard Enterprise
Rishi Varma serves as General Counsel and oversees Hewlett Packard Enterprise's legal department globally. Rishi and his team handle, among other things, HPE's corporate governance, strategic acquisitions, divestitures and investments, litigation, intellectual property, commercial contracting, sales and supply chain issues, securities law compliance and disclosure, treasury and financing transactions, and certain other corporate transactions and restructurings, bankruptcy, credit and collections matters and employee compensation and retiree benefits. From 2013 - 2017, Rishi served as Deputy General Counsel overseeing HPE's corporate, securities and M&A practice.
Before joining Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Rishi served as general counsel for two different publicly traded companies from 2005 to 2013 - TPC Group, Inc., a petrochemical company, and Trico Marine Services, Inc., a global subsea service provider. During his time at Trico, Rishi also served in additional management roles including chief operating officer and president. Prior to these companies, Rishi served as securities counsel and director of investor relations for EGL, Inc., a publicly traded global freight forwarder (2002 - 2005), and as a business associate in the New York office of Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison, LP (1998 - 2002).
Over the course of his legal career, Rishi has advised public company boards as outside counsel and as in-house counsel on a variety of matters including financial planning, M&A transactions, corporate governance and shareholder activism.
Rishi oversees HPE's nationwide pro bono campaigns and has worked with Tahirih's Houston office on various matters including visa and asylum cases. In addition to serving on the Tahirih board, Rishi serves on the board of the Texas Asia Society, the leading educational organization promoting mutual understanding and strengthening partnerships among the peoples, leaders, and institutions of Asia and the West.
He holds a Juris Doctor degree from the Georgetown University Law Center and also graduated magna cum laude from Georgetown University with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science. Rishi and his wife, Michelle, have three children.
Education: Georgetown University, JD, BS
Job Titles:
- Constituent Data Assistant
Ron joined Tahirih in 2018. As a Constituent Data Assistant, Ron is responsible for maintaining accurate donations data and coordinating the nationwide acknowledgements process. Prior to joining Tahirih, Ron served as Community Outreach Coordinator with the Center for Health and Human Rights.
"I am inspired by Tahirih's drive to give all women and girls a chance at living without fear."
Education: George Mason University, BA
Languages: Farsi
Job Titles:
- VP of Strategy and Innovation, UPS Foundation
Education: Harvard Business School, MBA; Wake Forest University, BA
Job Titles:
- Clinical Scholar, Stanford University
Job Titles:
- Senior Vice President for the Food Initiative / the Rockefeller Foundation
Job Titles:
- Manager
- Pro Bono Manager, Arnold & Porter LLP
Rwanda Campbell is the Pro Bono Manager at Arnold & Porter LLP in the Washington, DC office. She is responsible for overseeing, managing and helping to develop the firm's pro bono initiatives and implement projects firm wide. Rwanda maintains a very active pro bono practice, providing extensive services in their pro bono immigration practice. In 2016, Rwanda was honored as the Tahirih Justice Center's "Greater DC Pro Bono Attorney of the Year". She has also provided pro bono services in the area of voter protection, and assisted at the DC Superior Court Landlord Tenant Resource Center. Rwanda is admitted to practice in the District of Columbia and New York.
Prior to her role as Pro Bono Manager, Rwanda was a staff attorney in Arnold & Porter's litigation department. She has extensive experience in electronic discovery, with specialization on the discovery phase of complex civil litigation such as antitrust and environmental litigation, as well as regulatory review in connection to governmental investigations.
Rwanda received her B.A. from York University and her J.D. from Howard University School of Law.
Samantha joined Tahirih's Baltimore office in 2022. As Legal Advocate, Samantha provides support to attorneys by preparing filings, meeting with clients, and maintaining client contact, among other tasks. Prior to […]
Job Titles:
- Member of the Merrill Lynch Wealth Management Team
- Patent Attorney / Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Representative
- Representative of the Baha'I International Community to the United Nations Headquarters
- United Nations Representative
Saphira Rameshfar currently serves as a Representative of the Baha'i International Community to the United Nations Headquarters in New York, leading engagement on gender equality, climate justice and global governance. Saphira currently serves on the Executive Committee of the NGO Committee on the Status of Women to the United Nations in New York and serves as a Co-Chair of their Young Professionals program.
Job Titles:
- Board Vice Chair, Media and Entertainment Executive, Co - Founder of SoulPancake
- Entertainment Executive
Shabnam Mogharabi is an entrepreneur, entertainment executive, and producer with more than 20 years of leadership experience in media and storytelling. With actor Rainn Wilson, Shabnam co-founded and ran as CEO SoulPancake, an inspiring entertainment studio that produced dozens of award-winning series, specials, and documentaries for television and social platforms. The company amassed 10M fans online and 1B+ video views on its content. The company was sold to social impact film studio Participant, where Shabnam served as an EVP.
Shabnam was named Entrepreneur of the Year by The Hustle in 2017 and SoulPancake was named one of Fast Company's Most Innovative Video Companies that same year. Prior to SoulPancake, Shabnam was an award-winning journalist and editor, having served as the youngest Editor-in-Chief at Hanley Wood Business Media. She has won numerous writing awards, including the Jesse H. Neal Award (the Pulitzer Prize of B2B journalism). She is a New York Times bestselling author with SoulPancake: Chew on Life's Big Questions.
Shabnam currently works as a business and strategy consultant for media and entertainment startups and frequently keynotes national conferences and events speaking on the power of positive psychology, impact entertainment, and strategies of social storytelling. Shabnam is on the board of film crowdfunding startup Seed&Spark; is an industry advisor for USC Annenberg's Media & Storytelling Program; and is on the board of directors of the national nonprofit Tahirih Justice Center. She is a Henry Crown Fellow and a member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network. Shabnam resides with her husband and son in Los Angeles.
Job Titles:
- Team Leader - ABS in Corporate Trust, Vice President, Christiana Trust
Job Titles:
- Chief Human Resources Officer / Integra Service
- Chief Human Resources Officer, Integra Service Connect
Job Titles:
- Project Manager
- Project Manager, Dalberg Advisors
Job Titles:
- President
- President, Girls Rights Project
Job Titles:
- Vice President of Tax, Agilent Technologies
Job Titles:
- Partner / Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP
Job Titles:
- New Local Advisory Council
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Member of the Merrill Lynch Wealth Management Team
- Board Chair, Senior Director, Communications, Race Equity Programs & Partnerships Leader, Procter & Gamble
- Government Relations Manager and Lawyer / Procter & Gamble
- Member of the Board of Directors of All in Together
Tara Hogan Charles is a Senior Director, Communications, Race Equity Programs & Partnerships Leader. Located in Washington, DC, Tara is responsible for providing strategic guidance to P&G and its portfolio of iconic brands on creating and implementing impactful race equity programs and partnerships.
Prior to joining the Communications team, Tara worked for 20 years in P&G's Global Government Relations & Public Policy office and in the Legal Division. In these roles, Tara provided legal counsel and helped P&G navigate the legislative and public policy landscape covering a broad issue portfolio including intellectual property, brand protection, workforce, privacy and corporate citizenship.
Tara is currently a member of the Board of Directors of All In Together.
Tara received her B.A. in Political Science and German from Agnes Scott College, and her J.D. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Job Titles:
- Senior Finance Manager, Government Grants
Tatiana joined Tahirih in 2019. As Senior Finance Manager, Government Grants for our National office, Tatiana is responsible for preparing budgets and grant adjustment notices; preparing and submitting reports to meet monthly, quarterly and annual compliance requirements; supporting the annual financial audit; and ensuring Tahirih fully leverages grant resources to serve women and girls fleeing violence. Prior to joining Tahirih, Tatiana worked as a Grants Manager at Loudoun Citizens for Social Justice and as a Budget Analyst and Grants Specialist at the Loudoun County Government, Department of Fire and Rescue. Tatiana was born and raised in Moldova and spent 8 years in Toronto, Canada before moving to the United States.
"I am inspired by the variety of services that Tahirih provides to immigrant women and girls helping them flee the violence and start a new life with no fear."
Education: Moldovan Academy of Economic Studies
Languages: English, Russian, basic French, basic Romanian
Job Titles:
- Vice President of Global Labor Relations, Sodexo
Job Titles:
- Contracts Associate, Jhpeigo
Vanessa joined Tahirih's Atlanta office in 2021. As Executive Director, Vanessa is responsible for the management, growth and financial sustainability of the Atlanta office. She leads the Atlanta team in delivering client-centered legal and social services to immigrant women and girls fleeing violence; conducting community outreach and partnerships; oversees the local office's financial and operational integrity; and engaging diverse stakeholders. Vanessa also works collaboratively to develop and execute a regional advocacy strategy for policies supporting the community.
Prior to joining Tahirih, Vanessa worked within the non-profit field for over eighteen years. In 2003, she joined Promise Place to expand domestic violence services in Fayette county to several new counties within the judicial circuit. With the opening of that area's first state certified domestic violence shelter in 2007, Vanessa took on the position of Shelter Director, assisting in developing the framework for services provided to clients. She then served as Executive Director for the next ten years. As Promise Place Executive Director, Vanessa developed numerous domestic violence initiatives for the community. One of these initiatives was featured in the 11th annual Georgia Domestic Violence Fatality Review report. In February 2015, Vanessa was appointed by Governor Nathan Deal to the Georgia Commission of Family Violence where she served for 3 years. She received a Pinnacle Leadership award in 2017 for outstanding community leadership and was recognized with a Phenomenal Woman award in 2021 for her 17 years of service to the community.
I am inspired by both Tahirih's mission and inter-disciplinary approach to providing services. Having worked in the domestic violence field for many years, I have seen firsthand the complex barriers immigrant women and girls face in achieving safety - a basic right that we all too often take for granted. Legal services are a critical factor in removing these barriers and I am honored to work alongside a team that focuses on prioritizing client needs while maintaining excellence in our service delivery.
Job Titles:
- National Director, Community Engagement & Communications / AIDS Healthcare Foundation
Job Titles:
- Partner / Sidley Austin LLP
- Partner at Sidley Austin 's LLP Palo Alto
Yabo Lin is a partner at Sidley Austin's LLP Palo Alto office. Yabo counsels both U.S. and international clients on corporate matters, including mergers and acquisitions. His experience covers a wide range of industries, including information technology, e-commerce, mobile payments, biotech, and manufacturing. Yabo also counsels foreign-based clients on transactions involving U.S. national security issues in connection with the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States ("CFIUS").
Yabo is a Board Member at the Law Foundation of Silicon Valley, a member of the Advisory Committee of the Stanford Program in Law, Science, and Technology, as well as a member of the International Advisory Committee for the Stanford University Rock Center for Corporate Governance. In 2006, Yabo received the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association's (NAPABA) highest honor, the Trailblazer Award, for "making substantial and lasting contributions to the Asian Pacific American Community."
Yanitza joined Tahirih in 2022. As a Staff Attorney, Yanitza is responsible for representing individuals fleeing gender-based violence before the Immigration Court, USCIS and other agencies. Prior to joining Tahirih, Yanitza served as an Immigration Attorney for Catholic Charities of Baltimore, where she provided direct legal representation to individuals in removal proceedings, VAWA, U Visa and Adjustment of Status. She also assisted in mentoring Pro Bono Attorneys and conducted presentations on immigration benefits and relief.