Rachel studied human rights at Bard College and completed a senior thesis about protest movements in refugee camps. During college she spent a semester abroad in Cairo, Egypt where she researched refugee legal entitlements and taught English. Rachel interned in immigration and tenant’s rights legal services organizations. Rachel speaks French and Spanish. 

Laura has a master’s in political science from the University of Edinburgh. Prior to joining AWE, she spent nine years as a program manager and Department of Justice Accredited Representative at the International Rescue Committee in Baltimore.

Caryn is a licensed social worker with a master’s in social work from Loyola University in Chicago. Prior to joining AWE, she worked as a teacher to immigrant children in transitional foster care. Caryn speaks Spanish.

Lauri is a graduate of the Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public Health with a master’s in health science. She has studied, worked, and lived in Ecuador, Mexico, and Spain. She has spent the past two decades working in Baltimore as a counselor, educator, and outreach coordinator. She speaks Spanish.

Mahali graduated from the University of CA, Santa Barbara with a degree in Global and Italian Studies, and she has a master’s in migration and diaspora studies from SOAS University in London. She spent four years working with grassroots NGOs in the US, Italy, Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, France, and the UK providing emergency aid to asylum seekers and refugees. Mahali speaks Spanish and Italian. 

Lea has worked with underserved communities in the Baltimore-Washington area for the past four years, working primarily with youth and families. Lea also serves as a tutor to underrepresented Latino students. She is a graduate from the University of Maryland with a background in Community and Behavioral health. Lea speaks Spanish. 

Lesli has a background in customer service. Prior to working at AWE, Lesli served as an AWE volunteer, mentoring Spanish-speaking participants, preparing meals, and processing donations. Lesli speaks Spanish.

Beth has spent over a decade working with refugees and asylum seekers, including six years in North and East Africa. Since relocating to Baltimore, Beth has worked for CASA de Maryland and the International Rescue Committee. She has a masters in refugee protection and forced migration studies from the University of London. Beth speaks Sudanese Arabic.

Rasha has more than twenty years of experience in international development with a focus on gender and public health issues. She has a master’s degree in sustainable development from the School of International Training (SIT) in Washington DC, and a master’s degree in gender and development from Ahfad University for Women in Khartoum, Sudan. She also has a bachelor’s degree in organizational management. She is fluent in Arabic. 

Nilsa spent five years working as a Spanish and Russian language and culture instructor for the US Foreign Service Institute. She also spent nearly two years working with migrant children, youth, and families for the Pennsylvania Migrant Education Program. She has a bachelor's and master's degree in international business and economics. Nilsa speaks Russian and Spanish.

Francisco studied law at the National University of Córdoba, Argentina and has five years of experience working as part of a multidisciplinary technical team specializing in assisting survivors of human trafficking, especially in migrant communities. He has also worked at the Ministry of Women in Argentina, as a law professor in human trafficking prevention at Blas Pascal University in Argentina, and as a social studies teacher at the Escuela Argentina in Washington DC. Francisco speaks Spanish.

Jane holds a master’s degree in United Nations and Global Studies from Rutgers University, where her academic coursework focused primarily on children’s human rights. She spent a semester volunteering at a shelter for Syrian and Kurdish asylum seekers in Greece. She has community engagement experience with several Baltimore-area nonprofits, and she is learning Spanish.

Brenda is a Maryland native with extensive experience working in Human Resources and financial administration. She holds a degree in business management. 

Yeimy is trained in education and has a degree in Social Work from the Universidad Santiago de Cali, Colombia. She has worked in a youth detention center and has extensive experience working with children and families as a school social worker in Colombia. Since relocating to Maryland, she has worked in childcare for children with disabilities. Yeimy speaks Spanish. 

Daisy graduated from Quinnipiac University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Biology and a minor in Global Public Health. Diasy is working towards her Master’s in Science of Public Health at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. During college, she spent a summer in Bolivia learning about their universal healthcare system and their programs aimed towards tackling maternal/infant mortality. Daisy speaks Spanish.  

Mackenzie studied Anthropology and Environmental Science with a concentration in African and African Diaspora Studies at St. Mary's College of Maryland. Her thesis research focused on food security and agriculture in Northern Ghana. Prior to AWE, Mackenzie worked as a farmer and agricultural educator, and volunteered for a holistic healing center's food and garden program. She is currently learning Spanish.

Odilon has more than a decade of experience working with marginalized and underserved groups, with a focus on the immigrant population. Prior to joining AWE, he managed a residential shelter for unaccompanied children migrating to the US. Odilon holds a bachelor in English Literature and is currently pursuing his master’s degree in Global Affairs and Human Security. Odilon speaks French.

Mariatou holds a bachelor’s degree in Pre-Law History from Morgan State University. She is currently pursuing her Masters in Criminal Justice. Prior to joining AWE, she worked as a immigration paralegal. Mariatou speaks Wolof and Mandinka.

Kimberly has over 19 years of experience as a program director, specializing in services for women and children, two-generational programs, and youth impacted by trauma. She holds a master’s degree in Human Services Administration from Coppin State University and a master's in Social Work from Morgan State University, with a focus on youth and families from an Afro-centric perspective.

Joselin has previously worked with refugees and asylum seekers in Denver. Since relocating to Maryland, she aspires to continue her education in social work. Joselin speaks Spanish.