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The Brave House team consists primarily of interns and volunteers, who we proudly highlight below, as well as a small full-time staff of 4 who lead the day-to-day legal/holistic service provision and programming.
We appreciate the time and energy of all our team members who leverage their unique professional/educational experiences and diverse perspectives to strengthen our mission every day. We are proud of our collaborative, community-based approach to making an impact. Read our DEI Statement here. Support our mission here. |
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Meet Our Team. |
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LAUREN
Executive Director |
TENZIN
App Navigator |
LEORA
Youth Advocate and Avodah Fellow |
SHIYULLI
Mentorship Advisor |
KETIA
Brave Pod Host and Brave Space Co-Founder |
JOY
Community Advocate |
MABEL
Program Manager |
DANNEY
Contract Attorney |
ERIKA
Outreach Director |
JESSIE
Mentorship Coordinator |
DANA
Youth Advocacy Specialist |
LAURA
Youth Advocacy Coordinator |
ADINA
Education Coordinator |
JOHANNA
Outreach Coordinator |
ANASTASIA
Resource Specialist |
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Board of Directors.
PRIYA
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SABRINEH
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MIKELINA
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LORETTA
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EMILY
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RACHEL
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Brave House Culture Manifesto. |
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During spring 2022, our team members collaborated to create a document that highlights the values and ethos of the Brave House.
Click here to check out our Brave House Culture Manifesto.
Click here to check out our Brave House Culture Manifesto.
How We Work. |
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Click through the presentation to learn more about our team structure!
Lauren BlodgettFounder & Executive Director.
Job. Immigration Attorney and Executive Director at The Brave House Home. Brooklyn, NY Pronouns. She/ her/ hers What “Brave” means to you. Having hope, finding joy, and spreading love, despite the fear, pain and obstacles that you encounter. |
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Biography.
Lauren is an immigration attorney and founder of The Brave House. Lauren was previously an attorney & Equal Justice Works fellow the Safe Passage Project, where she provided legal representation to refugee children & youth fleeing gender-based violence. Lauren co-founded Las Mariposas (“the butterflies”), a girls empowerment group at Safe Passage, where she organized monthly activities aimed at wellness and community, such as self-defense, photography, and dancing. Lauren was honored on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list for Law and Policy and was in the New York Times regarding the challenges that immigration attorneys face during the Trump Administration. Lauren graduated cum laude from Harvard Law School, where she served on the board of the Harvard Immigration Project and worked in non-profits in Morocco, Thailand, Jordan, Tanzania and Cambodia on various human rights issues. Before law school, Lauren spent a year as a Fulbright scholar in Innsbruck, Austria, and worked at a refugee center in Cape Town, South Africa. Originally from Boston, Lauren graduated summa cum laude from Boston College in 2011 with a double major in Political Science and German. When not in the courtroom, Lauren can be found going for a run in Prospect Park or on the dance floor at Daybreaker, an early-morning sober dance party hosted at locations throughout New York City.
Lauren is an immigration attorney and founder of The Brave House. Lauren was previously an attorney & Equal Justice Works fellow the Safe Passage Project, where she provided legal representation to refugee children & youth fleeing gender-based violence. Lauren co-founded Las Mariposas (“the butterflies”), a girls empowerment group at Safe Passage, where she organized monthly activities aimed at wellness and community, such as self-defense, photography, and dancing. Lauren was honored on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list for Law and Policy and was in the New York Times regarding the challenges that immigration attorneys face during the Trump Administration. Lauren graduated cum laude from Harvard Law School, where she served on the board of the Harvard Immigration Project and worked in non-profits in Morocco, Thailand, Jordan, Tanzania and Cambodia on various human rights issues. Before law school, Lauren spent a year as a Fulbright scholar in Innsbruck, Austria, and worked at a refugee center in Cape Town, South Africa. Originally from Boston, Lauren graduated summa cum laude from Boston College in 2011 with a double major in Political Science and German. When not in the courtroom, Lauren can be found going for a run in Prospect Park or on the dance floor at Daybreaker, an early-morning sober dance party hosted at locations throughout New York City.
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What song is energizing you today?
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Where did you / your family immigrate from?
Portugal and Ireland |
Tenzin ChoeyangApp Navigator.
Home. Queens, NY Pronouns. She/ her/ hers What "Brave" means to you. Being able to speak your mind. |
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Biography.
I was born and raised in India. I am of Tibetan descent. I speak Tibetan, Hindi and English. I went to St. Lawrence University to study Economics and currently work in finance. My passion includes educating people on financial literacy and creating space for Tibetan Americans to speak about their experiences through Positionality podcast.
I was born and raised in India. I am of Tibetan descent. I speak Tibetan, Hindi and English. I went to St. Lawrence University to study Economics and currently work in finance. My passion includes educating people on financial literacy and creating space for Tibetan Americans to speak about their experiences through Positionality podcast.
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What song is energizing you today?
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Where did you / your family immigrate from?
India |
Leora SammettYouth Advocate and Avodah Fellow.
Home. Boston, MA Pronouns. she/her/hers What “Brave” means to you. Brave means returning to internal sources of power and resiliency, despite all that may try to diminish such sources. It means the ability to overcome. |
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Biography.
Leora graduated from Franklin & Marshall College in the spring of 2022 where she studied Sociology and Spanish, with a focus in Latin American Studies. She is passionate about adventuring, trying new food, spending time by the ocean, dancing, as well as connecting meaningfully with new people. Leora has experience supporting and advocating for immigrant communities in both Boston and Lancaster, PA, and now she is thrilled to be working with such vibrant communities in NYC!
Leora graduated from Franklin & Marshall College in the spring of 2022 where she studied Sociology and Spanish, with a focus in Latin American Studies. She is passionate about adventuring, trying new food, spending time by the ocean, dancing, as well as connecting meaningfully with new people. Leora has experience supporting and advocating for immigrant communities in both Boston and Lancaster, PA, and now she is thrilled to be working with such vibrant communities in NYC!
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Where did you / your family immigrate from?
Guatemala |
Mentorship Advisor.
Job. Client Solutions Partner at ClassPass Home. Brooklyn, NY What “Brave” means to you. Speaking up for yourself and others (especially when it’s uncomfortable or unpopular); not letting trauma or obstacles define you; bringing kindness, humility, and tenacity to everything you do. |
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Biography.
Shiyulli currently works for ClassPass, a fitness and wellness membership that allows you to book thousands of fitness classes, gym services, and wellness services all over the world through one easy app. She partners with large companies to bring a custom ClassPass membership to their employees. Previously she worked at Taproot Foundation, a nonprofit that builds the capacity of other social change organizations, where she worked with multinational companies to design and scale high-impact skill-based volunteering programs. Shiyulli also sits on the Junior Board of Hour Children, a New York-based nonprofit providing wraparound services for women re-entering society and reuniting with their families after incarceration. When she’s not at work, you can find her rock climbing with friends in the Shawgunks, tinkering in her kitchen, or buried in a great book.
Shiyulli currently works for ClassPass, a fitness and wellness membership that allows you to book thousands of fitness classes, gym services, and wellness services all over the world through one easy app. She partners with large companies to bring a custom ClassPass membership to their employees. Previously she worked at Taproot Foundation, a nonprofit that builds the capacity of other social change organizations, where she worked with multinational companies to design and scale high-impact skill-based volunteering programs. Shiyulli also sits on the Junior Board of Hour Children, a New York-based nonprofit providing wraparound services for women re-entering society and reuniting with their families after incarceration. When she’s not at work, you can find her rock climbing with friends in the Shawgunks, tinkering in her kitchen, or buried in a great book.
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What song is energizing you today?
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Where did you / your family immigrate from?
Sri Lanka |
Ketia Miriam JeuneThe Brave Pod Host and The Brave Space Co-Founder. Home. Brooklyn, NY
Pronouns. She/ her/ hers What "Brave" means to you. To be fearless. |
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Biography.
Ketia believes her life is art, and she embodies that in everything she does. She’s been a part of the performing arts community since elementary school where she immersed herself in music, dance, and poetry. By high school, she was accepted to New World School of the Arts in Miami, Fl where she was surrounded by the most talented students in Miami-Dade County.After graduating from FSU, Ketia went on to New York University (NYU) and obtained her Masters in Public Relations with a concentration in Corporate Business Communications. Recently, Ketia became the host of the Brave Pod, a weekly podcast that features members, volunteers, and immigrants from all over the world to share their experiences. She's also one of our many youth advocates and works directly with our members.
Ketia believes her life is art, and she embodies that in everything she does. She’s been a part of the performing arts community since elementary school where she immersed herself in music, dance, and poetry. By high school, she was accepted to New World School of the Arts in Miami, Fl where she was surrounded by the most talented students in Miami-Dade County.After graduating from FSU, Ketia went on to New York University (NYU) and obtained her Masters in Public Relations with a concentration in Corporate Business Communications. Recently, Ketia became the host of the Brave Pod, a weekly podcast that features members, volunteers, and immigrants from all over the world to share their experiences. She's also one of our many youth advocates and works directly with our members.
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What song is energizing you today?
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Where did you / your family immigrate from?
Haiti |
Joy DumasCommunity Advocate.
Home. Yakima, Washington Pronouns. She/ her What "Brave" means to you. Daring to follow your gut, with the willingness to make mistakes |
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Biography.
Joy graduated in May of 2022 with a Bachelor's degree in Hispanic Studies and Human Rights from Columbia University. Before working at The Brave House, Joy spent her school years on campus in New York City, and spent her summers working in various industries in her home of Yakima, Washington. In March of 2020, Joy and other young locals developed a mutual aid network called Yakima Community Aid. YCA continues to provide food, hygiene supplies, and other requests to folks on the streets of Yakima. Joy loves her neighborhood of Hamilton Heights and enjoys spending time in the public parks of Harlem. Joy has never traveled to a Spanish-speaking country but dreams of visiting Mexico City.
Joy graduated in May of 2022 with a Bachelor's degree in Hispanic Studies and Human Rights from Columbia University. Before working at The Brave House, Joy spent her school years on campus in New York City, and spent her summers working in various industries in her home of Yakima, Washington. In March of 2020, Joy and other young locals developed a mutual aid network called Yakima Community Aid. YCA continues to provide food, hygiene supplies, and other requests to folks on the streets of Yakima. Joy loves her neighborhood of Hamilton Heights and enjoys spending time in the public parks of Harlem. Joy has never traveled to a Spanish-speaking country but dreams of visiting Mexico City.
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What song is energizing you today?
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Mabel SmithProgram Manager.
Home. Berkeley, CA Pronouns. she/her What “Brave” means to you. Being curious about and embracing the outside of your comfort zone. |
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Biography.
Mabel grew up in Berkeley, California, and is a recent graduate of Columbia University with a major in Economics. Through years of work experience in the nonprofit sector, construction, and the service industry, she has explored curiosities about workers rights, arts, abolition democracy, immigration, and human rights. Mabel has worked in research and teaching in Columbia’s Labor Economics Department, interned in the Venture & Fellowship Sector at Ashoka Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean, interned for Education for Sharing, and worked as a Research Assistant for Art Resistance Through Education (ARTE) in partnership with Columbia’s Initiative for a Just Society. In these roles, her appreciation for community building and community care has continued to grow. She plays the trombone and makes art in her free time.
Mabel grew up in Berkeley, California, and is a recent graduate of Columbia University with a major in Economics. Through years of work experience in the nonprofit sector, construction, and the service industry, she has explored curiosities about workers rights, arts, abolition democracy, immigration, and human rights. Mabel has worked in research and teaching in Columbia’s Labor Economics Department, interned in the Venture & Fellowship Sector at Ashoka Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean, interned for Education for Sharing, and worked as a Research Assistant for Art Resistance Through Education (ARTE) in partnership with Columbia’s Initiative for a Just Society. In these roles, her appreciation for community building and community care has continued to grow. She plays the trombone and makes art in her free time.
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Where did you / your family immigrate from?
Greece & Sweden |
Danney SalvatierraContract Attorney.
Home. New York, NY Pronouns. she/her/hers What "Brave" means to you. Being brave means having the courage to follow your heart. To be human is to be brave. |
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Biography.
Danney Salvatierra was born in Peru and immigrated to the United States with her family at the age of 13. Danney completed her undergraduate studies in Political Science and Global Media Communication at Florida International University. Specialized fields of study include: political repression and human rights, international relations, Latin America foreign policy, and global economic and social affairs. Danney also utilized her communications degree to explore the field of public relations and marketing. She worked as a public relations specialist for an art company located in Wynwood, Miami. After spending a year working with artists and curators, she found a true passion for visual arts, film, photography, poetry, and storytelling. These art forms remain her favorite hobbies.
Prior to law school, she traveled as a volunteer to rural areas in Latin America to work on sanitation and education projects for underdeveloped communities. She received her law degree from New York Law School. During her law school career, Danney was actively involved with the Latin American Law Students Association (LALSA) and the Immigration Law Students Association (ILSA). She worked as a legal intern for human rights organizations such as Church World Service and Human Rights First. In that capacity, she has advocated for immigrant children, families, and refugee communities. She also participated in New York Law School’s asylum clinic, where she helped a couple obtain asylum in the United States after facing years of persecution in their home country due to their sexuality. Since graduating law school, Danney has provided legal representation to vulnerable communities during her time working as a staff attorney at African Services Committee and Make The Road NY in the areas of affirmative and defensive immigration matters, landlord/tenant, family, public benefits, and advanced directives.
Today, Danney is a contract immigration attorney for The Brave House. She is also working on employment based immigrant visas for U.S. based companies, specifically restaurants (freelance).
Spanish is Danney’s first language. She loves to learn new languages. She is currently trying to learn French and Dutch!
Danney Salvatierra was born in Peru and immigrated to the United States with her family at the age of 13. Danney completed her undergraduate studies in Political Science and Global Media Communication at Florida International University. Specialized fields of study include: political repression and human rights, international relations, Latin America foreign policy, and global economic and social affairs. Danney also utilized her communications degree to explore the field of public relations and marketing. She worked as a public relations specialist for an art company located in Wynwood, Miami. After spending a year working with artists and curators, she found a true passion for visual arts, film, photography, poetry, and storytelling. These art forms remain her favorite hobbies.
Prior to law school, she traveled as a volunteer to rural areas in Latin America to work on sanitation and education projects for underdeveloped communities. She received her law degree from New York Law School. During her law school career, Danney was actively involved with the Latin American Law Students Association (LALSA) and the Immigration Law Students Association (ILSA). She worked as a legal intern for human rights organizations such as Church World Service and Human Rights First. In that capacity, she has advocated for immigrant children, families, and refugee communities. She also participated in New York Law School’s asylum clinic, where she helped a couple obtain asylum in the United States after facing years of persecution in their home country due to their sexuality. Since graduating law school, Danney has provided legal representation to vulnerable communities during her time working as a staff attorney at African Services Committee and Make The Road NY in the areas of affirmative and defensive immigration matters, landlord/tenant, family, public benefits, and advanced directives.
Today, Danney is a contract immigration attorney for The Brave House. She is also working on employment based immigrant visas for U.S. based companies, specifically restaurants (freelance).
Spanish is Danney’s first language. She loves to learn new languages. She is currently trying to learn French and Dutch!
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What song is energizing
you today? |
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Where did you/your
family immigrate from? Peru |
Erika GamaOutreach Director.
Home. Mexico City, MX Pronouns. She/ her/ hers What "Brave" means to you. Acting with empathy and being relentlessly optimistic. |
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Biography.
Erika graduated with a bachelor’s in International Relations from Universidad Anáhuac in Mexico City in 2021. She is passionate about advancing social justice through gender-focused and youth-led solutions and has interned for Ashoka and the Mexican Council of Foreign Affairs. Erika also loves to watch basketball and can often be found reading (and heavily underlining) books.
Erika graduated with a bachelor’s in International Relations from Universidad Anáhuac in Mexico City in 2021. She is passionate about advancing social justice through gender-focused and youth-led solutions and has interned for Ashoka and the Mexican Council of Foreign Affairs. Erika also loves to watch basketball and can often be found reading (and heavily underlining) books.
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What song is energizing you today?
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Jessie HimelMentorship Coordinator.
Home. Manhattan, NY Pronouns. He/ him/ his What "Brave" means to you. Brave means feeling the fear, and doing what you’re afraid of anyway. |
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Biography.
I was born and raised in Manhattan. I recently graduated from NYU where I majored in Sociology and minored in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Studies. By way of background, I interned for 18 months with “Safe Passage Project,” a non-profit legal organization that provides free counsel and support to immigrant children facing deportation. I also help Wizard World, a national science-fiction/pop culture convention tour, to research and facilitate the donation of used graphic novels/books to local non-profit organizations. To date, I have successfully organized the donation of over 2,500 books/graphic novels to different non-profit organizations around the country. As for future goals, I plan to attend law school and pursue immigration law in the next few years. I am passionate about ethics. Specifically, as part of my independent study this semester at NYU, I researched and designed a semester-long middle school curriculum to teach students normative ethics through superhero comics. The curriculum includes robust lesson plans, discussion points, projects and readings. In my free time, I like to run around the reservoir, rollerblade around central park, take my dog for walks around the city, read comics and hang out with my friends.
I was born and raised in Manhattan. I recently graduated from NYU where I majored in Sociology and minored in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Studies. By way of background, I interned for 18 months with “Safe Passage Project,” a non-profit legal organization that provides free counsel and support to immigrant children facing deportation. I also help Wizard World, a national science-fiction/pop culture convention tour, to research and facilitate the donation of used graphic novels/books to local non-profit organizations. To date, I have successfully organized the donation of over 2,500 books/graphic novels to different non-profit organizations around the country. As for future goals, I plan to attend law school and pursue immigration law in the next few years. I am passionate about ethics. Specifically, as part of my independent study this semester at NYU, I researched and designed a semester-long middle school curriculum to teach students normative ethics through superhero comics. The curriculum includes robust lesson plans, discussion points, projects and readings. In my free time, I like to run around the reservoir, rollerblade around central park, take my dog for walks around the city, read comics and hang out with my friends.
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What song is energizing you today?
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Where did you / your family immigrate from?
Ireland, Hungary, Poland and Germany |
Dana MolinaYouth Advocacy Specialist.
Home. Sarasota, Florida Pronouns. she/her What "Brave" means to you. To be Brave is to face what is most difficult, and through this, embracing our fears. |
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Biography.
Dana is a student at Barnard College who aspires to study law. She loves to read, exercise, and spend time with family and friends. She is excited to be part of The Brave House and create life-long connections.
Dana is a student at Barnard College who aspires to study law. She loves to read, exercise, and spend time with family and friends. She is excited to be part of The Brave House and create life-long connections.
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What song is energizing
you today? |
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Where did your family immigrate from?
My family immigrated from Argentina! |
Laura RomeroYouth Advocacy Coordinator.
Home. Los Angeles, CA Pronouns. she/her/hers What "Brave" means to you. To be brave means to allow yourself the opportunity to experience challenges. You are your first and most important advocate, and you are capable of advocating for a life that will encourage growth, empowerment, and fulfillment. |
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Biography.
Laura was born in Boston, but moved to Los Angeles when she was two years old. She is now a second year student at Columbia University studying political science and human rights. She's always been passionate about women's rights, representation, menstrual equity, educational equity, and immigration. Laura identifies as first generation, and is proud of how this identity has helped shape her passions. She hopes to study immigration law after college. Laura also loves to sing, read, and run. Laura hopes, through her work as a student and individual, that she can encourage others who look like her to take over spaces they rightfully deserve.
Laura was born in Boston, but moved to Los Angeles when she was two years old. She is now a second year student at Columbia University studying political science and human rights. She's always been passionate about women's rights, representation, menstrual equity, educational equity, and immigration. Laura identifies as first generation, and is proud of how this identity has helped shape her passions. She hopes to study immigration law after college. Laura also loves to sing, read, and run. Laura hopes, through her work as a student and individual, that she can encourage others who look like her to take over spaces they rightfully deserve.
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What song is energizing
you today? |
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Where did you/your
family immigrate from? El Salvador <3 |
Adina Cazcu-De LucaEducation Coordinator.
Home. Baltimore, MD Pronouns. she/they What "Brave" means to you. To me, acting bravely means not letting the fear of being vulnerable keep you from connecting to others and achieving your goals. |
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Biography.
Adina Cazacu-De Luca is a junior at Columbia University studying biochemistry and anthropology on the pre-med track, planning to pursue a MD-PhD in epidemiology. Adina’s previous public health research has focused on topics such as the health impacts of socioeconomic inequities and environmental contamination in New York City. In addition to this work, they are a certified English as a Second Language tutor hoping to help students feel more confident in their daily conversations. In their free time, they enjoy playing volleyball and reading.
Adina Cazacu-De Luca is a junior at Columbia University studying biochemistry and anthropology on the pre-med track, planning to pursue a MD-PhD in epidemiology. Adina’s previous public health research has focused on topics such as the health impacts of socioeconomic inequities and environmental contamination in New York City. In addition to this work, they are a certified English as a Second Language tutor hoping to help students feel more confident in their daily conversations. In their free time, they enjoy playing volleyball and reading.
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What song is energizing
you today? |
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Where did your family immigrate from?
Panama and Romania |
Johanna MartinezOutreach Coordinator.
Home. Elizabeth, NJ Pronouns. She/ her/ hers What “Brave” means to you. Bravery is being authentic to ourselves and the core values we hold dear in all our actions and reactions. It is acknowledging fear and harnessing it to be resilient and boldly ourselves even when circumstances often make this difficult. It is growing and adapting constantly as we learn and unlearn behaviors and practices. It is standing in solidarity with others and practicing love, self-love, empathy, and vulnerability. |
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Biography.
Johanna Martinez is a junior at Columbia University studying Sustainable Development. Johanna is extremely passionate and highly motivated to address inequities in society that oppress, disenfranchise, and limit marginalized communities, especially women. Ever since founding her own non-profit in 2015, she has channeled her passion for service through various initiatives in the tristate area and Ecuador such as establishing mobile health clinics for Indigenous communities in Ecuador and providing low-income children with educational supplies. Johanna is also a Social Impact Fellow at Columbia World Projects and is well-versed in skills such as human-centered design, developing monitoring and evaluation strategies, conflict-resolution, and advocacy. Johanna is inspired by the resiliency and strength of the women in her family and her own lived experiences which connect her The Brave House’s mission and its community. Johanna is excited to bring her collaborative and interdisciplinary approach to problem-solving and her passion for community-building to her role at The Brave House.
Johanna Martinez is a junior at Columbia University studying Sustainable Development. Johanna is extremely passionate and highly motivated to address inequities in society that oppress, disenfranchise, and limit marginalized communities, especially women. Ever since founding her own non-profit in 2015, she has channeled her passion for service through various initiatives in the tristate area and Ecuador such as establishing mobile health clinics for Indigenous communities in Ecuador and providing low-income children with educational supplies. Johanna is also a Social Impact Fellow at Columbia World Projects and is well-versed in skills such as human-centered design, developing monitoring and evaluation strategies, conflict-resolution, and advocacy. Johanna is inspired by the resiliency and strength of the women in her family and her own lived experiences which connect her The Brave House’s mission and its community. Johanna is excited to bring her collaborative and interdisciplinary approach to problem-solving and her passion for community-building to her role at The Brave House.
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What song is energizing you today?
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Where did you / your family immigrate from?
Ecuador |
Anastasia TamboerResource Specialist.
Home. Amsterdam, the Netherlands Pronouns. She/ her What “Brave” means to you. Being comfortable with vulnerability and living your life authentically |
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Biography.
Grew up in the Netherlands with a Dutch dad and an American mom, which allowed me to have a global upbringing. Currently, I am a senior at NYU Gallatin studying Social Entrepreneurship. Spent time volunteering in a refugee camp in Greece which sparked my passion for working with women to encourage them to achieve what they want in their life. Very excited to intern with the Brave House because of the awesome team and members :)
Grew up in the Netherlands with a Dutch dad and an American mom, which allowed me to have a global upbringing. Currently, I am a senior at NYU Gallatin studying Social Entrepreneurship. Spent time volunteering in a refugee camp in Greece which sparked my passion for working with women to encourage them to achieve what they want in their life. Very excited to intern with the Brave House because of the awesome team and members :)
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What song is energizing you today?
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Where did you / your family immigrate from?
The Netherlands |
Priya RamanathanChair of the Board of Directors.
Home. Brooklyn, NY Job. General Assembly Pronouns. She/ her/ hers What “Brave” means to you. Being brave means not letting things scare you from achieving your dreams or supporting the dreams of others. |
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Biography.
Priya is the VP of Government & Workforce Partnerships at General Assembly, a global pioneer in digital skills education that is committed to building accessible pathways meaningful careers in technology. Priya was formerly the VP of Growth & Strategy at Per Scholas, a national tech training organization that provides no-cost technology training to adults from communities that are often underserved, connecting them to careers in technology. In her more than 12 years working in both the public and private sector, she believes nontraditional educational options that are focused on skills of the future will remove barriers to economic prosperity for diverse talent that still remains grossly underrepresented in so many companies across the world.
She received her BA at the George Washington University in Washington, DC and her MS in Public Policy and Management from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA. Priya and her family immigrated to the US from India when she was five years old.
Priya is the VP of Government & Workforce Partnerships at General Assembly, a global pioneer in digital skills education that is committed to building accessible pathways meaningful careers in technology. Priya was formerly the VP of Growth & Strategy at Per Scholas, a national tech training organization that provides no-cost technology training to adults from communities that are often underserved, connecting them to careers in technology. In her more than 12 years working in both the public and private sector, she believes nontraditional educational options that are focused on skills of the future will remove barriers to economic prosperity for diverse talent that still remains grossly underrepresented in so many companies across the world.
She received her BA at the George Washington University in Washington, DC and her MS in Public Policy and Management from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA. Priya and her family immigrated to the US from India when she was five years old.
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What song is energizing you today?
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Where did your family immigrate from?
India |
Sabrineh ArdalanMember of the Board of Directors.
Job. Assistant Director and Clinical Professor of Law at Harvard Law School Home. Cambridge, MA |
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Biography.
Sabi is the Harvard Immigration and Refugee Clinical Program’s assistant director, as well as assistant clinical professor of law at HLS. Sabi supervises and trains law students working on applications for asylum and other humanitarian protections, as well as appellate litigation and policy advocacy. She teaches courses on immigration and refugee law and advocacy and on trauma, refugees, and the law. Sabi previously clerked for the Honorable Michael A. Chagares of Third Circuit Court of Appeals and the Honorable Raymond J. Dearie, Chief District Judge for the Eastern District of New York. She also worked as the Equal Justice America Fellow at The Opportunity Agenda and as a litigation associate at Dewey Ballantine LLP.
Sabi is the Harvard Immigration and Refugee Clinical Program’s assistant director, as well as assistant clinical professor of law at HLS. Sabi supervises and trains law students working on applications for asylum and other humanitarian protections, as well as appellate litigation and policy advocacy. She teaches courses on immigration and refugee law and advocacy and on trauma, refugees, and the law. Sabi previously clerked for the Honorable Michael A. Chagares of Third Circuit Court of Appeals and the Honorable Raymond J. Dearie, Chief District Judge for the Eastern District of New York. She also worked as the Equal Justice America Fellow at The Opportunity Agenda and as a litigation associate at Dewey Ballantine LLP.
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What song is energizing you today?
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Where did your family immigrate from?
Iran |
Mikelina BelainehMember of the Board of Directors.
Job. Director of Impact, Last Prisoner Project Home. Brooklyn, NY. What “Brave” means to you. To be your most authentic self when the world tells you to be something or someone else. |
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Biography.
Mikelina has spent their carer exploring how to facilitate community regeneration and empowerment in marginalized communities. Their work has focused on examining the disparate impact of the criminal legal on black and brown communities, and working with various stakeholders (impacted community, advocates, government decision makers, and experts) to explore innovative solutions. Previously, Mikelina served as the Chief Program Officer for the nonprofit social enterprise InnerCity Weightlifting, a street violence reduction program serving street and gang-involved young adults by connecting them with new resources, networks, and opportunities. They now support the organization's work in an advisory role.
Mikelina became interested in social justice issues in college, where they spent their four years organizing around LGBTQ issues in rural parts of Texas. In law school, they narrowed their focus to issues around criminal justice, recognizing it as a system that has implications for all areas of social justice, and therefore an opportunity to facilitate great impact. Mikelina holds a JD from Harvard Law School, where they served as co-president on the board of Lambda and co-founded the Queer and Trans People of Color student organization. Mikelina also has a BA with honors from the Texas A&M University. Mikelina was born and raised in Arlington, TX, where their family and community settled after immigrating from Ethiopia.
Mikelina has spent their carer exploring how to facilitate community regeneration and empowerment in marginalized communities. Their work has focused on examining the disparate impact of the criminal legal on black and brown communities, and working with various stakeholders (impacted community, advocates, government decision makers, and experts) to explore innovative solutions. Previously, Mikelina served as the Chief Program Officer for the nonprofit social enterprise InnerCity Weightlifting, a street violence reduction program serving street and gang-involved young adults by connecting them with new resources, networks, and opportunities. They now support the organization's work in an advisory role.
Mikelina became interested in social justice issues in college, where they spent their four years organizing around LGBTQ issues in rural parts of Texas. In law school, they narrowed their focus to issues around criminal justice, recognizing it as a system that has implications for all areas of social justice, and therefore an opportunity to facilitate great impact. Mikelina holds a JD from Harvard Law School, where they served as co-president on the board of Lambda and co-founded the Queer and Trans People of Color student organization. Mikelina also has a BA with honors from the Texas A&M University. Mikelina was born and raised in Arlington, TX, where their family and community settled after immigrating from Ethiopia.
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What song is energizing you today?
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Where did your family immigrate from?
Ethiopia and Eritrea |
Emily NashMember of the Board of Directors.
Job. Associate, Foley Hoag LLP Home. Boston, MA What “Brave” means to you. Trusting yourself and your inner strength to carry you forward--in your principles, choices, words, and actions--despite whatever pressure you face to do the opposite. |
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Biography.
Emily is an associate at Foley Hoag LLP in Boston, where she works in litigation and labor and employment, and a pro bono practice including civil rights litigation and immigration. She received her JD from Harvard Law School in 2016, after which she clerked for the Honorable Denise J. Casper, in the U.S. District Court for District of Massachusetts.
Emily grew up in Armonk, NY, and she received her BA in sociology from NYU in 2011. Emily's experience working with nonprofit organizations began in college, when she spent a semester as an intern at Amnesty International USA. After graduating, she spent a year teaching English to children in Metz, France, after which she worked as a project manager at Innovative Philanthropy, providing development consulting and assistance--largely through grant review and major fundraising event planning--to nonprofits and foundations in New York City.
Emily is an associate at Foley Hoag LLP in Boston, where she works in litigation and labor and employment, and a pro bono practice including civil rights litigation and immigration. She received her JD from Harvard Law School in 2016, after which she clerked for the Honorable Denise J. Casper, in the U.S. District Court for District of Massachusetts.
Emily grew up in Armonk, NY, and she received her BA in sociology from NYU in 2011. Emily's experience working with nonprofit organizations began in college, when she spent a semester as an intern at Amnesty International USA. After graduating, she spent a year teaching English to children in Metz, France, after which she worked as a project manager at Innovative Philanthropy, providing development consulting and assistance--largely through grant review and major fundraising event planning--to nonprofits and foundations in New York City.
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Where did your family immigrate from?
Italy and somewhere in Eastern Europe |
Loretta Lopez CarstensenMember of the Board of Directors.
Job. Social Worker, Violence Intervention Program Home. Brooklyn, NY What “Brave” means to you. Listening to the voices of the unheard and recognizing that they have stories to tell. |
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Biography.
Loretta was born and raised in Guadalajara, Mexico. She immigrated to NY at 18 to study Creative Writing at Bard College. Since then she has lived in Texas, Vietnam, and Queens, NY, her current home. She is a writer, aspiring illustrator, and a non-profit professional focused on bettering the lives of refugees and survivors of gender based violence. She's currently a graduate student on the clinical track at Columbia's School of Social Work.
Loretta was born and raised in Guadalajara, Mexico. She immigrated to NY at 18 to study Creative Writing at Bard College. Since then she has lived in Texas, Vietnam, and Queens, NY, her current home. She is a writer, aspiring illustrator, and a non-profit professional focused on bettering the lives of refugees and survivors of gender based violence. She's currently a graduate student on the clinical track at Columbia's School of Social Work.
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What song is energizing you today?
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Where did your family immigrate from?
Mexico |
Rachel BeckerMember of the Board of Directors.
Job. Account Director at LinkedIn Home. New York, NY Pronouns. she/her/hers What "Brave" means to you. Brave means going outside of your comfort zone and establishing a new path. It means pushing the boundaries. |
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Biography.
Rachel is an Account Director at LinkedIn and consults with clients, advising them on talent strategy. She received her MBA from the University of Virginia Darden School of Business in 2018 and her BA in International Relations from Vanderbilt University in 2011. Rachel grew up in Westchester, New York and is the daughter of a Colombian immigrant mother. Rachel is inspired by her mother's story of bravery in establishing her life in the United States and paving the way for her younger sister, nieces and nephews.
Rachel is an Account Director at LinkedIn and consults with clients, advising them on talent strategy. She received her MBA from the University of Virginia Darden School of Business in 2018 and her BA in International Relations from Vanderbilt University in 2011. Rachel grew up in Westchester, New York and is the daughter of a Colombian immigrant mother. Rachel is inspired by her mother's story of bravery in establishing her life in the United States and paving the way for her younger sister, nieces and nephews.
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What song is energizing you today?
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Where did you or your family immigrate from?
Colombia, Russia |
