Message From The Chair 1
20ANNUAL REPORT 19
Two Children Play at a Migrant Shelter in Ciudad Juárez.
Photo Credit: Susan Weiss
WOLA ANNUAL REPORT 2019 2 Message From The Chair
WOLA ANNUAL REPORT 2019 Message From The Chair 3
Content
Message From The Chair 05
About WOLA 07
Our Impact 08
Financial Review 16
Human Rights Awards And Benefit Gala 18
Board Of Directors 21
Wola Staff 22
Internship Program 23
WOLA ANNUAL REPORT 2019 Committed. Courageous. Connected.
Director for the Andes Gimena Sánchez, Colombia Program Assistant Jeronimo Sudarsky, and Director for Defense Oversight Adam Isacson visit the Bojayá church—site of the deadly and horrific 2002 Bojayá massacre—during an advocacy and research trip with partner Father Sterlin Londoño.
WOLA is a leading advocacy and research organization advancing human rights in the Americas
WOLA ANNUAL REPORT 2019 Message From The Chair 05
In 2019, the work of human rights became all the more challenging throughout Latin America and in Washington, as the Trump administration and authoritarian leaders across the region moved forward cruel policies. WOLA fought back with courageous partners and impactful advocacy.
WOLA’s Beyond the Wall Campaign pushed back against punitive policies that endanger thousands of lives. Our reports from the border exposed the harsh realities faced by migrants. Our asylum project with legal experts at Temple University Mujeres that sought progress in reforming Mexican provided critical research to support asylum laws that had resulted in the rising incarceration of claims. In Central America, we worked with key women for low-level drug offenses. Congressional leaders to restore Central American aid with tougher conditions on corruption. None of this work would be possible without the hard work of WOLA’s staff. Geoff Thale, our long Our work throughout the hemisphere was time Vice President for Programs, became the grounded in supporting civil society leaders in the WOLA President this year, leading a full time staff face of rising authoritarianism and attacks against of 28, a group of distinguished senior fellows, and democratic governance. Even as anti-corruption enthusiastic cohorts of interns. Our Vice President efforts like the highly effective International for Communications, Mario Moreno, and his team Commission against Impunity in Guatemala have enlivened our social media presence, and (CICIG) were dismantled, WOLA doubled down on bolstered our impact in traditional media. Thanks its steadfast support of the courageous judges, to the leadership of Vice President of Development prosecutors, civil society activists, and journalists Lauren Kimball and her team, foundations and keeping the anti-corruption fight alive. In Colombia, individuals continued to show overwhelming where ethnic communities have borne the brunt confidence in WOLA’s strength and mission. of the government’s decision to undermine the historic peace accords, WOLA strengthened We suffered a personal loss of enormous depth in our partnership with the social leaders building April, when our board member Sally O’Neil, died in peace in the country. In response to the political, a tragic car accident in Guatemala, along with her economic, and humanitarian crisis that’s displaced colleagues Ana Paula Hernández, Daniel Tuc, and millions of Venezuelans, WOLA worked with civil Ana Velásquez. Sally was our teacher and guide for society partners to build support for a democratic, all things Honduran, and a life-long fierce advocate negotiated solution. for human rights.
In countries like Bolivia, Cuba, and México, WOLA Through the challenges, victories, and tragedies worked with partners to respond quickly to key this year, knowing that we have the backing of moments and launch effective advocacy and so many of you sustains and inspires all of us at communications campaigns. We used statements, WOLA. events, and op-eds to emphasize the importance of respecting human rights during Bolivia’s Thank you for your generous support. electoral crisis. Through congressional education, we fought to preserve bipartisan support for U.S.-Cuba relations. Using new communications advocacy techniques, WOLA helped launch a Nancy Jane Belden campaign with our partner EQUIS Justicia para las Chair of the Board of Directors
WOLA ANNUAL REPORT 2019 6 Message From The Chair
Our Vision We envision a future where public policies protect human rights and recognize human dignity, and where justice overcomes violence.
A woman dressed to depict Blind Lady of Justice performs during a protest demanding justice for the girls who perished in the youth shelter fire, in front of the National Palace in Guatemala City, Saturday, March 11, 2017. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)
WOLAWOLA ANNUALANNUAL REPORTREPORT 20192019 About WOLA 07
What We Do Research, Educate, Advocate
WOLA tackles problems that transcend borders and demand cross-border solutions. We create strategic partnerships with courageous people making social change—advocacy organizations, academics, religious and business leaders, artists, and government officials. Together, we advocate for more just societies in the Americas.
Our programs: • Central America • Citizen Security • Cuba • Colombia • Defense Oversight • Drug Policy • Mexico • Venezuela
Our campaigns: Women and Incarceration, Beyond the Wall
Two WOLA partners, Luz Mely Reyes from Efecto Cocuyo and Marino Alvarado from PROVEA, speak at a WOLA-Woodrow Wilson Center panel on pathways out of the Venezuelan political and humanitarian crisis 08
Our Impact
Beyond the Wall: Envisioning a Humane Approach to Regional Migration Policy
UNCOVERING ABUSES the U.S.-Mexico border, we accompanied activist groups, shelter workers, and pro bono AT THE BORDER attorneys to publish several widely shared reports about the deteriorating conditions of WOLA made seven trips to Mexico’s borders life for migrants, conveying local advocates’ in 2019 to provide first-hand accounts of the urgent recommendations. At the Mexico- effects of President Trump’s family separation Guatemala border, WOLA helped frame the and “Remain in Mexico” policies. While images issues and provided advice and contacts to of children in cages haunted media audiences journalists visiting the area. Our reporting has at the beginning of the year, the plummeting helped us make concrete recommendations to safety and health of the ever-growing asylum- Congress on how to respond and craft rights- seeking migrant population stranded in Mexican respecting alternatives to this human rights crisis border cities garnered very little attention. At throughout the region.
WOLA ANNUAL REPORT 2019 Our Impact 09
SUPPORTING expert advice and front-line sources—students at Temple University Law School have created ASYLUM-SEEKERS WITH various sets of resources on country conditions CRITICAL LEGAL RESEARCH in Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras. This research helps attorneys show “state In February, WOLA launched an online set of complicity”—how government actors in the country-condition resources in partnership with region are unable and/or unwilling to protect Temple University Law School, which by the different social groups from persecution. By end of the year had already been downloaded providing attorneys with structured, useful over 2,000 times by U.S. attorneys and others information that might be hard for them to locate supporting Central American asylum seekers on their own, the project supports attorneys as in court. With WOLA’s guidance—in the form of they work with clients on their asylum cases.
Credit Susan Weiss
WOLA ANNUAL REPORT 2019 10 Message From The Chair
Geoff Ramsey, WOLA’s Director for Venezuela, talks with partners from the region during a trip to Brazil to investigate the treatment of Venezuelan migrants in the country.
PROTECTING U.S. AID TO SUSTAINING PEACE IN CENTRAL AMERICA THAT COLOMBIA TACKLES ROOT CAUSES WOLA marshalled bipartisan support in The Trump administration cut assistance Congress for the Colombian peace process to Central America in the spring of 2019 in a during a time when the Colombian government’s heavy-handed effort to force the Guatemalan, support for it has stalled. In the face of Salvadoran, and Honduran governments to increasing violence toward Afro-Colombian and stem the flow of migrants from the region. WOLA Indigenous leaders, we have supported the countered by reaching out to policymakers and Ethnic Commission—a body formed under the the media on the impact of cutting humanitarian Truth Commission and Special Jurisdiction for and development assistance. We demonstrated Peace—in its work carrying out the world’s first the value of maintaining well-tailored assistance consultation on how best to incorporate the that focuses on governance, tackling corruption, needs of ethnic minorities in a truth commission strengthening the rule of law, violence report. We also continued our research and prevention, and economic development. Our advocacy on the growing role of the military recommendations helped Congress push back in the Colombian government and the Trump against the aid cuts and reinstate some of the administration’s support for hardline military leadership. This helped the U.S. Congress foreign assistance, including stronger language in rollback Trump’s cut assistance for implementing the 2020 Appropriations bill to better ensure that the peace accord. We also backed successful the U.S. can continue to help address the factors efforts to reduce military aid to about 45 percent driving many families and children to migrante. of the overall foreign aid package for Colombia,
WOLAWOLA ANNUALANNUAL REPORTREPORT 20192019 Our Impact 11
down from its average of more than 80 percent diplomatic efforts to re-establish democratic during the “Plan Colombia” years of the 2000s. order.
PRESSING FOR A FIGHTING BACK AGAINST DEMOCRATIC, NEGOTIATED CAMPAIGNS TO DISMANTLE SOLUTION TO THE ANTI-CORRUPTION EFFORTS VENEZUELAN CRISIS IN CENTRAL AMERICA
In response to the political, economic, and The success of anti-corruption and anti- humanitarian crisis that has forced over 5 million impunity efforts in Central America in the last Venezuelans to flee their country, WOLA focused few years, especially through the International on building U.S. support for a democratic, Commission against Impunity in Guatemala negotiated solution. The country’s de facto (Comisión Internacional Contra la Impunidad leader, Nicolas Maduro, has lacked a democratic en Guatemala, CICIG) and the Mission to mandate since he assumed a second term in Support the Fight against Corruption and Impunity in Honduras (Misión de Apoyo Contra January 2019, based on deeply flawed elections. la Corrupción y la Impunidad en Honduras, White House threats and bellicose language MACCIH) prompted a strong backlash this year. exacerbated an already dire situation. WOLA As powerful and corrupt sectors pushed hard worked with key U.S. Senators and contributed to shut down the CICIG and MACCIH, WOLA background for the Senate Emergency Relief, aggressively defended these critical institutions. Democracy Assistance, and Development We worked with Members of Congress to (VERDAD) Act. Signed into law in December, support the people at the forefront of this fight— the VERDAD Act states definitively that it is U.S. courageous judges, prosecutors, civil society policy to support negotiations in Venezuela. activists, and journalists—and protect them from This is a crucial starting point for multilateral, the targeted surge in violence and harassment.
WOLA Mexico Director Maureen Meyer and Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (D-TX) at a congressional briefing on June 25, 2019.
WOLA ANNUAL REPORT 2019 12
BUILDING A DATABASE TO implemented on the ground in eight key areas. TRACK PROGRESS AND At the same time, we hope that the Monitor can contribute to the evaluation of trends over CHALLENGES ON JUSTICE AND time within and between the countries of the GOVERNANCE IN CENTRAL Northern Triangle of Central America. The initial AMERICA round of research will serve as a baseline and will be updated on a yearly basis. After years of research by WOLA and our Central American partners, we completed the INSISTING ON STRONGER groundwork for the first series of reports on corruption, the justice system, transparency, HUMAN RIGHTS AND human rights protections, violence reduction, CORRUPTION INVESTIGATIONS and police reform in Guatemala, El Salvador, IN MEXICO and Honduras. Using a comprehensive series of quantitative and qualitative indicators, the Central WOLA has pushed the new, autonomous America Monitor aims to measure progress and National Prosecutor’s Office for Human Rights shortfalls of the policies and strategies being in Mexico to improve its capacity to prosecute corruption cases, grave human rights violations, and other high-impact crimes. With other human rights defenders and experts in the Prosecutor that Works (Fiscalía que Sirva) coalition, we hosted a forum to discuss best
WOLA ANNUAL REPORT 2019 Our Impact 13
practices based on international experiences Administration’s all out efforts to reverse course. for Mexico’s new special prosecutor’s office Reps. Tom Emmer (R-MN) and Jim McGovern for human rights. Although the going is slow, (D-MA) introduced the Freedom to Travel Bill we saw some important movement in the after WOLA took Emmer’s chief of staff to Cuba emblematic Ayotzinapa case, which seeks to see the damage that Trump administration justice for the 43 students whose disappearance restrictions have caused. Rep. Emmer continues gave way to a massive governmental cover-up to lead the bipartisan Cuba Working Group in 2014. Our advocacy and reports kept U.S. (CWG), which with WOLA support, convened officials in Congress and the State Department several bipartisan briefings for Congressional informed about Mexico’s rule of law and security staff on changes taking place in Cuba and the challenges and helped secure funding to support the Mexican government’s forensic capacity and impact that Trump administration restrictions ability to address its disappearances crisis. are having on Cuba’s civil society and emerging private sector. Interfaith religious leaders working with WOLA have also started reaching out PRESERVING BIPARTISAN regularly to congressional offices to talk about CONGRESSIONAL SUPPORT the negative impacts current restrictions are FOR U.S.-CUBA RELATIONS having on the religious community in Cuba. The group used WOLA’s talking points, content, and WOLA has been instrumental in maintaining editing help to send a highly visible “heads of bipartisan Congressional support for U.S.- communion” letter, signed by 16 religious groups/ Cuba engagement in the face of the Trump organizations, to President Trump.
Our advocacy and reports kept U.S. officials in Congress and the State Department informed about Mexico’s rule of law and security challenges and helped secure funding to support the Mexican government’s forensic “capacity and ability to address its disappearances crisis. WOLA Senior Fellow Coletta Youngers with formerly incarcerated women at the annual #FreeHer conference. WOLA ANNUAL REPORT 2019 14 Our Impact
Mexican trans activist Kenya Cuevas speaks at an event on women and incarceration in the Americas hosted by OSF and cosponsored by WOLA and Equis Justicia para las Mujeres.
FIGHTING FOR MORE JUST putting them to a vote at the UN Commission on DRUG POLICIES Narcotic Drugs (CND) in late 2020. Following years of research and advocacy to BUILDING AND CONNECTING reform harmful drug policies, in 2019 WOLA NETWORKS OF FORMERLY and its partners welcomed the results of the first modern scientific review of cannabis INCARCERATED WOMEN undertaken by the World Health Organization ADVOCATES (WHO). Cannabis is listed in the UN’s 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs under WOLA is helping to build an increasingly the strictest controls, reserved for substances interconnected and effective network of formerly- with “particularly dangerous properties” and incarcerated women activists. The number of little or no therapeutic value. But that decision women deprived of their liberty in the Americas has taken nearly 60 years ago was based on increased by 57 percent in the last two decades, colonialist and racist notions, not scientific higher than the already staggering 40 percent evidence. Acknowledging the medical increase in the size of the overall prison population. usefulness of cannabis in its 2019 report and WOLA’s work with partners across the hemisphere recommendations, the WHO took a long has provided formerly-incarcerated women spaces overdue step toward correcting this historical to come together in solidarity and to develop error and injustice. WOLA and its partners alternatives to incarceration. We have also helped raised concerns, however, that some of the them secure a seat at the table to advocate on WHO’s other recommendations could actually their own behalf as policies are being made. make it more difficult to access cannabis for WOLA has helped change the narrative of who medical and therapeutic purposes. Our feedback is behind bars. Our outreach has helped women contributed to the decision to examine the overcome stigma and lead the “decarceration” recommendations more thoroughly before movement going forward.
WOLA ANNUAL REPORT 2019 Our Impact 15
2019 BUDGET: Smart $3,733,784 Strategic Strong INCOME PIE CHART
24% Foundations 48% Individual Other 28%
EXPENSES PIE CHART 14%
Program Expenses 9% Administrative Expenses 77% Fundraising
In 2019, WOLA reached 6 million people on our social media channels—and we launched a new Instagram account that we’re planning to grow aggressively in the coming years.
WOLA experts were also quoted in nearly 700 press clips, including in the Associated Press, The Patriot Act, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Reuters, Financial Times, NPR, and more.
WOLA ANNUAL REPORT 2019 Message From The Chair
Research and Advocacy: Funded by People Like You
VISIONARIES CIRCLE $50,000+
Anonymous (2) Royal Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Judy and Peter Blum Kovler Foundation Seattle International Foundation Hispanics in Philanthropy Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs Luminate The Ford Foundation MacArthur Foundation The Libra Foundation Open Society Foundations Tinker Foundation
CHAMPIONS CIRCLE $25,000-49,999
Anonymous (2) Lippincott Foundation Church World Service The Moriah Fund Edgar James & Katherine Kinsella Wachs Family Fund
LEADERS CIRCLE $10,000-24,999
Anonymous (4) Stewart R. Mott Foundation Cynthia McClintock Margaret & A. Lee Zeigler Marc & Leonor Blum Jules Bernstein & Linda Lipsett Matt & Margaret Balitsaris Juan & Jean Cappello Herbalife Nutrition Chris Canavan & Colleen Foster Service Employees International Union Foley Hoag LLP Mary Ann Stein Kathryn Sikkink & Doug Johnson Marlene Johnson Paul & Trisha Reichler Judith Brown Meyers Angelica Foundation Louis & Nancy Goodman Western Union
WOLA ANNUAL REPORT 2019 Financial Review 17
ADVOCATES CIRCLE $5,000 - 9,999
Anonymous (1) Winston & Strawn LLP Joe Eldridge & Maria Otero Brian & Peggy Sassi Ethan & Eileen Miller Helena Ribe Lynne & Joseph Horning Marriott International Inc David Holiday Grossman Young & Hammond, LLC Sisters of Providence - Mother Joseph Province Jack Marco Juan Gonzalez Marco Consulting George Withers & Donna Martin Richard Newfarmer & Margaret Sarles Professor Richard Feinberg & Ms. Diane Gotkin Darryl Chappell Patricia Weiss Fagen Nancy Belden & John Russonello Cheryl Morden & Reuben Snipper Jim Miller Alexander Wilde & Anne Pérotin-Dumon Peggy Healy Thomas Belden & Janice Miller Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Jules & Lynn K. Kroll William LeoGrande and Marty Langelan
ALLIES CIRCLE $1,000 - 4,999
Anonymous (1) L. Wallace Clausen Alan Kadrofske George McCabe Mariano Aguirre Matt Clausen & Al Kamen F. Miguel Noyola Ambassador Francisco Margarita Diaz Leslie Kiefer Robyn Oates Altschul & Melinda Waded Cruzado Timothy M. Kingston & Oxfam America De Lashmutt John Dinges & Jennifer Kingston Eric & Joy Olson Altschul Carolina Kenrick Gerald Koster & Sara Morris Panner Katherine Bailey Dechert LLP Koster The International Union Neil Barksy & David A. Dresner Linda & Jay Land of Bricklayers and Joan S. Davidson Thomas Dresner Lutheran World Relief Allied Craftworkers Michael Barnes & Mary Ellsberg & Hector Lindo-Fuentes (BAC) Joan Pollitt Michael Levi Anna Deeny & Greg Theodore Piccone Steven Bennett & Cristina Espinel & Locraft Tom Quigley Erin Loubier Charlie Roberts Michele Manatt & Robert F. Kennedy Susan Blaustein Vic Fazio Wolfram Anders Human Rights Gay Block Rachel Garst Missionary Oblates of Kevin Ryan David & Judy Bonior Kathy Gille & Doug Mary Immaculate Louise Shelley & John W. Bushman Tanner Gwynn & Wilson Mason Richard Graves & Mrs. Maritza John Gitlitz & Patricia DeeAnn McIntyre Louise Simone Bushman M. Lee Johanna Mendelson- Sisters of Charity of Oscar Cardenas Robert Kogod Goldman Forman & David Leavenworth Catholic Relief Claudio Grossman & Forman Susan Turner Services Irene Klinger Marilyn Meyers J. Ann Tickner Chemonics Jonathan Hartlyn Larry Minear Philippe Villers & International, Inc. Kevin Healy Andrew & Adriana C. Kate Villers Patricia & Breaux Edward Hull & Jamie Morehouse Toby Welch Castleman Holland Cecilia Muñoz & Mr. Bill Woodward Christina Cerna & Vic Johnson Amit Pandya Winky Foundation Steve Rose Sarah Dufendach & Rachel Neild & Gary Wright 18
Human Rights Awards and Benefit Gala
Luz Mely Reyes
WOLA presented its prestigious At a moment when democracies are threatened Human Rights Awards to two by the rise of authoritarianism across the Western Hemisphere, this year’s honorees have recipients whose work epitomizes been fearless in standing against the abuse of the defense of human rights in power and for human dignity. the Americas—the independent Venezualan journalism site, Efecto Venezuelan news site Efecto Cocuyo has Cocuyo, and a champion for persevered in covering the human cost of Venezuela’s ongoing political and humanitarian human rights in the U.S. Congress, crisis, despite a dangerous environment that has Representative Norma Torres. forced many journalists to flee the country. The
WOLA ANNUAL REPORT 2019 Human Rights Awards and Benefits Gala 19
“Journalists in and out of Venezuela will continue to tell the stories of our country despite efforts to censor us. But more than anything, we will continue to fight to keep democratic values alive in “Venezuela to seek a future where human rights, as well as freedom of expression, are respected.” —Luz Mely Reyes, WOLA 2019 Awardee
Rep. Norma Torres
site produced award-winning reports, shining a of migration and has challenged the Trump spotlight on the journeys of migrants struggling administration’s cruel policies toward migrants to build new lives outside of Venezuela, revealing and asylum seekers. In particular, her advocacy the inner workings of the illegal gold trade, and has focused on supporting anti-corruption tracking the stories of children who lost their lives efforts in Guatemala and calling for the because of a lack of access to basic medicines. protection of those in the region who fight for the rule of law. She has enacted legislation that Representative Norma Torres (D-CA) of strengthens transparency and accountability California’s 35th district is a founder of the by requiring the U.S. government to report to Central America Caucus in Congress. She Congress on corrupt officials in Guatemala, El has led efforts to address the root causes Salvador, and Honduras.z 20 In Memorium
Remembering Sally O’Neill
Sally O’Neill, a dear friend and WOLA Board Member, passed away in a tragic accident in Huehuetenango, Guatemala on April 7, 2019. The horrific accident also claimed the lives of her colleagues Ana Paula Hernández of the Fund for Global Human Rights, Daniel Tuc, and Ana Velásquez. They are all deeply mourned and missed.
Sally came to Central America in the late 1970s, and spent 37 years representing Trocaire, the Irish Catholic aid agency. During her decades of work in the region, she worked with Monseñor Romero, became one of the first people to investigate El Mozote massacre, helped bring humanitarian aid to refugees, aided reconstruction efforts after Hurricane Mitch, and supported Central American civil society groups in their advocacy for social justice and equitable development. Her ability to develop trusting, respectful relations with partners on the ground, while staying in touch with official actors, was unique and tremendously valuable.
Sally had a special commitment to the people of Honduras, where she lived for many years. She was, at the time, deeply Irish. All who knew her will remember her directness, her warmth, her sense of humor, and her passion for human rights. Sally’s legacy will endure, in Honduras, and internationally.
Sally O’Neill, ¡Presente!
WOLAWOLA ANNUALANNUAL REPORTREPORT 20192019 Board of Directors 21
Board of Directors
NANCY BELDEN DARRYL CHAPPELL STEVEN BENNETT Chair of the Board Secretary of the Board Treasurer of the Board Partner, President and CEO, Senior Vice President for Belden Russonello Strategists Darryl Chappell Foundation, Academic Operations LLC, Washington, DC Washington, DC Syracuse University
MARLENE JOHNSON Vice Chair of the Board CEO Emerita NAFSA: Association of International Educators
JOHN DINGES JUAN GONZALEZ PEGGY HEALY Godfrey Lowell Cabot Senior Fellow, Senior Vice President, Professor of Journalism Emeritus, Penn Biden Center for International Programs Columbia University Global Diplomacy and Covenant House Global Engagement New York, NY CHERYL MORDEN Washington, DC Former Deputy Director for SALLY O’NEILL Partnership and Resource GEOFF THALE Former Regional Manager in Mobilization, International Fund President, Latin America, Trocaire for Agricultural Development Washington Office on Latin In memoriam America DR. CLAUDIA PAZ Y PAZ Washington, DC SANDRA GROSSMAN Director of the Mexico and Central Partner, America Program, CEJIL, San MARIANO AGUIRRE Grossman Young & Hammond, José, Costa Rica Analyst on international politics. LLC Former Advisor to the Office of Bethesda, MD DR. CYNTHIA MCCLINTOCK the Resident Coordinator UN Professor of Political Science and Colombia MATT BALITSARIS International Affairs Oslo, Norway Record Producer & Owner The George Washington Maggie’s Farm University, Washington, DC PATRICIA WEISS FAGEN Pipersville, PA Senior Fellow, Institute for DR. HELENA RIBE International Migration ROB VARENIK Former Manager, World Bank Georgetown University Director of Programs Washington, DC Washington, DC Open Society Justice Initiative 22 Wola Staff WOLA Staff
GEOFF THALE JOHN WALSH GINA HINOJOSA Interim President, Director for Drug Policy Program Associate Vice President for Programs and the Andes ADELINE HITE MATT CLAUSEN GEOFF RAMSEY Program Associate President Director for Venezuela ALEX SADLER KRISTINA DEMAIN KATIE HOUCK Program Assistant Vice President for Development Director for Philanthropy FRANCIS TORRES LAUREN KIMBALL CAYLA SPEAR Communications Assistant Vice President for Development Assistant Director for Human Resources and Internship JERONIMO SUDARSKY KRISTEL MUCIÑO Coordinator RESTREPO Vice President for Communications AUSTIN ROBLES Program Assistant MARIO MORENO Assistant Director for CRYSTAL YUILLE Vice President for Communications Central America Executive Assistant to the President and Internship KRYSTAL WUBBEN ANGELA MELENDEZ Coordinator Vice President for Finance Assistant Director for Philanthropy and Operations MADELEINE CUNNINGHAM MARGARET WEBSTER Assistant Director for Partnerships Assistant to the President and MELISSA GOLLADAY Special Initiatives Coordinator Vice President for Finance KARA HERNÁNDEZ and Operations Executive Assistant and JOE ELDRIDGE Board Liaison MAUREEN MEYER Senior Fellow Director for Mexico and TERESA GARCÍA CASTRO COLETTA YOUNGERS Migrant Rights Senior Program Associate Senior Fellow
ADRIANA BELTRÁN PETER BALLOU KATHY GILLE Director for Citizen Security Operations Assistant Senior Fellow GIMENA SÁNCHEZ-GARZOLI GABRIELA SIBORI JO-MARIE BURT Director for the Andes Communications Assistant Senior Fellow ADAM ISACSON KRISTEN MARTINEZ Director for Defense Oversight -GUGERLI DAVID SMILDE Program Assistant Senior Fellow MARGUERITE ROSE JIMÉNEZ LIZABELT AVILA ELIZABETH LEEDS Director for Cuba Development Assistant Senior Fellow
WOLAWOLA ANNUALANNUAL REPORTREPORT 20192019 Internship Program 23 The Sally Yudelman Internship Program
Shaping the next generation of human rights leaders
WOLA’s Sally Yudelman Internship Program welcomed nearly two dozen qualified, passionate, is named after the late chair of WOLA’s Board and diverse student interns. The program of Directors for her enduring commitment to offers one of the most thorough, engaging, shaping the next generation of human rights and formative human rights experiences in advocates. In 2019, her legacy lived on as WOLA Washington, D.C.
WOLA’s 2019 Sally Yudelman Summer Interns pose for a picture with WOLA founder and senior fellow Joe Eldridge. 24 Message From The Chair
1666 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 400 Washington, DC 20009 T.: 202-797-2171 E.: [email protected] W.: www.wola.org
twitter.com/wola_org instagram.com/wola_org
WOLA ANNUAL REPORT 2019