“I believe in the power, creativity, and determination of local activists to challenge systemic issues of violence, exclusion, and discrimination. As societies grapple with rising authoritarianism and inequality, rights movements provide enterprising, practical solutions for their communities—and hope to the wider world. I’m proud of the Fund for Global Human Rights’ role in resourcing, linking, and elevating the work of these partners.”

James joined the Fund in November 2017 as director of the Fund for Global Human Rights UK with a range of experience promoting human rights—as an activist, a researcher, and as a grant maker. He is passionately committed to empowering and supporting activists and human rights organisations and was previously the associate director at the Human Rights Initiative of Open Society Foundations where he was responsible for developing grant-making practice, strategy, and learning. Prior to that he was part of Oak Foundation’s International Human Rights programme. where he supported organisations working to investigate and achieve justice for human rights violations around the world as well as managing portfolios related to new technologies and communications. He has worked with the Panic Button, a technology-based initiative for human rights defenders and started his career as a country specialist at Amnesty International, investigating and campaigning against abuses in Turkey. He serves or has served as an advisor to Benetech’s Human Rights programme. the Human Rights Funders Network, and the Thomas Paine Initiative, a collaborative initiative using strategic communications to build support for human rights in the UK. James is a Turkish-speaker and has a first degree in Turkish and Arabic from Oxford University and an LLM with Distinction in Public International Law from the School of Oriental and African Studies.

“When governments and others in power recognise the core values of human dignity and freedom, individuals and societies at large flourish. For this to happen, we need to make sure those who experience human rights abuses have the best resources to advance long-term solutions and vigilantly monitor their progress. The Fund for Global Human Rights is at the forefront of supporting people the world over who are rising to this challenge and building a better future.”

Regan E. Ralph is the president and CEO of the Fund for Global Human Rights and has directed the organisation since its founding. Prior to launching the Fund, Regan was vice president for health and reproductive rights at the National Women’s Law Center in Washington D.C. where she led advocacy, policy and educational strategies to promote the quality and availability of health care for American women. From 1992-2001, Regan helped build and ultimately directed the Women’s Rights division of Human Rights Watch, where she developed campaigns to ensure the prosecution of sexual violence in conflict as a war crime, to secure recognition of gender-based persecution as grounds for asylum, and to promote women’s rights in countries including Russia, Egypt, Turkey, South Africa, Pakistan, and Mexico. Regan is a graduate of Harvard University and Yale Law School and studied international law at the London School of Economics and Arabic at the American University in Cairo. She serves on the boards of EG Justice, Crisis Action, and WITNESS, the advisory council of the Women’s Law and Public Policy Fellowship programme at Georgetown University Law Center, the advisory committee of The Council for Global Equality, and the global practitioner council at Stanford University’s programme on Social Entrepreneurship. Regan is also a member of the Steering Committee of the Human Rights Funders Network.

“Supporting frontline human rights activists on their own terms isn’t only the right thing to do, it’s the best way we can enable deep and lasting social change.”

As Vice President for Programmes at the Fund for Global Human Rights, David B. Mattingly leads an international team of activist grant-makers to resource human rights movements and build stronger, more sustainable human rights organisations. Since joining the Fund in 2005 as one of its first programme officers, David helped shape the Fund’s signature model of supporting frontline activists on their own terms and providing the funding and technical support that can boost their success. Prior to assuming leadership of the programmes team, he built grants portfolios for rights groups based in Latin America, North Africa, and West Africa; coordinated an initiative to strengthen the capacity of Mexican activists to promote public policies that expand human rights protections; and developed the Fund’s grant-making strategy to challenge rights abuses related to sexual orientation and gender identity and expression. After earning a BA in International Development from American University, David monitored human rights in indigenous communities in Chiapas, Mexico. Prior to joining the Fund, he worked at the Moriah Fund, where he helped manage grant-making programmes promoting indigenous rights, environmental protection, and women’s and reproductive rights in Central America, the US, and globally. David is particularly passionate about land and resource rights and climate justice and serves as Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL).

“I’m so proud to work at a place where we trust activists to know best how to use resources for positive change in their communities. It’s thrilling to see how their creative and sophisticated strategies are developed and shared in a way that can have real impact on a global scale.”

Kathryn Sommers joined the Fund in May 2007. She oversees all operational and administrative aspects of the organisation, including human resources, technology, grant-making operations, finance and risk management. In 2012 Kathryn was instrumental in incorporating and launching the Fund for Global Human Rights UK and continues to play a critical role in compliance and strategic integration at the European level. Kathryn has over twenty years of experience in the nonprofit sector ranging from direct service and programme management to fundraising, operations, and financial management. Throughout her career she has cultivated specific skills and interest in organisational infrastructure and knowledge management and is passionate about putting operations expertise into service in mission focused organisations. Kathryn has a BA in History with Minors in Religion and Philosophy and TESOL. Prior to joining the Fund, she worked in the adult education and literacy field serving low income and immigrant communities and has spent time travelling and studying in Côte d’Ivoire.

“Too many people around the world suffer because their human rights are stripped away and their lives and situations overlooked. But the Fund stands for basic human rights for all people, and for anyone working to make a real difference on the ground. That’s why I love working here.”

Kim joined the Fund in April 2017 and serves as the controller, managing the organisation’s day to day financial operations. Kim has over 15 years of accounting experience. Prior to the Fund, Kim served as the controller for Whitman-Walker Health, a Federally Qualified Health Center, and as assistant controller at the American Geophysical Union. Kim is a graduate of University of Maryland where he received his BS in Accounting. Kim volunteers on several committees lending his financial expertise.

“I believe all people should have a voice in how they are governed. That is why I’m a human rights activist. I also believe that social justice organisations should embrace the same values they preach to others. That is why I work at the Fund—because it does.”

Rona Peligal joined the Fund in July 2017 as vice president for development and communications. Rona brings to the Fund a unique set of skills: knowledge of human rights issues, fundraising experience, and the ability to create materials and messages to promote the human rights cause. Prior to joining the Fund, Rona served for two years as vice president for development at American Jewish World Service (AJWS) where, as a member of the Executive Team, she oversaw a transition in AJWS’s fundraising model, helped build the Board, and launched an $18 million reserve fund. From 1999-2015, Rona worked at Human Rights Watch (HRW) in two main capacities. For the first nine years, Rona served as deputy director of Development and Outreach, where she was responsible for raising approximately one third of HRW’s revenue from foundations and program-specific donors. For the latter six years, Rona was a deputy director of the Africa division. In that capacity, she oversaw HRW’s work on Nigeria, Central African Republic, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, among other countries. In 2014, Rona authored an HRW report entitled “Whose Development?,” which investigated human rights abuses connected with iron ore mining in Sierra Leone. She has also contributed to HRW reports on LGBTI rights and women’s rights. Rona has a Ph.D. in African history from Columbia University, where she also specialised in women’s history. Rona speaks French and Swahili.

Sami Al Amil joined the Fund in July 2018 as director of information technology, providing oversight of the Fund’s IT infrastructure and systems, managing IT and security policies, and working with other departments to support the implementation of the leadership’s vision and strategies. Previously, Sami served as a deputy director of Counterpart International’s Internet Freedom project providing information security assistance, training, and support to human rights and civil society activists around the world. Sami brings over 15 years of a diverse global experience in IT operations, cybersecurity, online privacy, user support, and assessment of how to effectively safeguard an organisation’s infrastructure. Earlier in his career, Sami served as a senior technology officer for the National Democratic Institute in Iraq where he gained experience with a broad range of technologies while operating in an increasingly challenging environment. When not busy overseeing the Fund’s technology department, Sami can often be found with a camera in hand furthering an interest in amateur digital photography. Sami has a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and Information Systems, as well as a few other industry certificates.

Naima joined the Fund in July 2015 and currently serves as European project manager. She is a graduate of the University of Cambridge where she studied French and Spanish, with an emphasis on post-colonial Francophone African literature. Whilst a student at Cambridge, Naima spent a year in Côte d’Ivoire during which time she interned for an international NGO. Prior to joining the Fund, Naima pursued graduate studies in Francophone literature and Anthropology at the University of California Berkeley. Naima speaks fluent French, advanced Spanish and is conversant in Swahili and Kinyarwanda. Naima is based out of the Fund’s UK office.

Lydia joined the fund in September 2016 and serves as senior program associate to support the Fund’s programmatic work, with an emphasis on the Enabling Environment for Human Rights Defenders programme, Before joining the Fund, Lydia most recently worked in criminal justice reform with an emphasis on ending the use of the death penalty and solitary confinement in the US. Before this she interned, worked, or volunteered at a number of organisations in Mexico City and Washington, DC with a focus on promoting migrants’ rights. Lydia is a graduate of Haverford College where she received a BA with honours in Political Science. While completing her MA in International Studies from American University’s School of International Service, she wrote her thesis on information gathering, decision making, and risk mitigation among Central American migrants in transit through Mexico. Lydia spent a year studying at Oxford University and a semester at the Academia Diplomática del Perú Javier Pérez de Cuéllar. She speaks Spanish.

Brittany joined the Fund in July 2017. She serves as development-operations analyst and is responsible for coordinating core development department operations as well as managing the Fund’s database. She has seven years of nonprofit experience in operations and development and is passionate about building systems to manage workflows and maximise efficiency. When she’s not at the office, you can find her at craft fairs, concerts and extolling the many virtues of Jamaican carry-out restaurants.

Kate Fanning joined the Fund as the outreach and engagement officer in 2017 from the academic world, having taught university courses in human rights, civil society, and international relations. In this role she also co-founded the Youth Model United Nations at the university and organised various outreach events around the themes of human rights and societies in conflict. Kate gained prior outreach and development experience with the organisations Human Rights Watch and Seeds of Peace. She holds post-graduate degrees in International Relations and Non-Governmental Organisations, with post-graduate studies in Middle Eastern Studies and bachelors’ degrees in Germanic Languages and Literature and Fine Arts (Design) and has worked in the NGO and Arts sectors. Kate speaks fluent German, is conversant in Spanish, has knowledge of Arabic and Farsi, and is a certified mediator. Kate has lived in continental Europe, Southeast Asia, and Latin America, but has called London home for several years now. Kate is based out of the Fund’s UK office.

Garima joined the Fund in June 2019 as director of human resources, to lead the People and Culture initiatives of the Fund and create a people function which supports the organisation in achieving its mission. Garima joined the fund after a successful career in Asia-Pacific region where she worked in financial services, retail, tech and fast-moving consumer goods organisations, leading people functions and working with leaders to create cultures where empathy and cultural sensitivity was promoted. Garima moved to the US where she now works with nonprofit organisations that are scaling up and are moving the needle in the field of health, education, migrant rights, and human rights. She works with organisational leaders and employees to create a better employee experience, where people feel they belong, and advises leaders to focus on talent management, coaching, and investing in future leaders. Prior to this Garima was working with results of development in universal healthcare. Garima has a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry and Biology and an MBA with a major in Human Resources and Marketing from India.

Cooper joined the Fund in September 2019 as the communications content officer. Based in Washington, DC, he oversees the Fund’s blog, website and email content, and communications asset management. Before joining the Fund, Cooper worked as an editor at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, as a consulting editorial project manager at the National Endowment for Democracy, and as a project assistant on the Central and Eastern Europe desk at the National Democratic Institute. As a student, he spent a semester in the Western Balkans, studying transitional justice in Belgrade, Serbia, and researched humanitarian mine action in Bosnia and Herzegovina while living in Sarajevo. Cooper holds a BA from George Washington University, where he majored in Political Communications and minored in History and International Affairs.

Nick joined the Fund in August 2019 as digital communications officer leading on social media strategy, marketing, and insight-led digital communications. Based in the Fund’s London office, Nick previously worked at international children’s charity War Child UK and anti-corruption campaigning group Global Witness, where he honed his fundraising and advocacy social media skills. A graduate of the University of Nottingham, Nick has an Integrated Masters in International Relations, where his dissertation explored the use of social media by extremist groups in Kashmir. He spent a year abroad in 2016 earning an interdisciplinary diploma from the Sciences Po Toulouse, France. Nick speaks fluent French and enjoys hiking, playing the guitar and watching Tottenham Hotspur FC.

Kelsie joined the Fund in February 2019 and supports the development department as the development associate. Prior to joining the Fund, Kelsie interned at the National Women’s Law Center and She’s the First. Kelsie graduated from Middlebury College with a BA in Political Science and Gender, Sexuality, and Feminist Studies, as well as a Global Health minor. As a student, Kelsie studied public health abroad in Thailand and worked on a woman’s empowerment programme in Kenya. She also conducted research across South Africa for her senior thesis, which examined reproductive politics through the international networks of crisis pregnancy centres.

John joined the Fund as a program officer in June 2012. Most recently, he was with the Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace based in the UK, where he developed and facilitated peace and human rights training programmes for victims and survivors of conflict and human rights abuses. He also has experience working with human rights organisations and networks in his native Sierra Leone and has authored a series of research publications on human rights, conflict, and peacebuilding in West Africa. John holds a PhD in conflict, security, and development from the University of Bradford. John is based out of the Fund’s UK office.

Martine joined the Fund in June 2016 and serves as the grants manager for the Sub-Saharan Africa, Middle East and North Africa, and Migrants’ Rights programmes. Before joining the Fund, Martine interned with the Clinton Foundation’s Haiti programme, Martine is a graduate of Florida International University where she pursued a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and minored in International Relations. During her undergraduate career, Martine served as a 2014 Women Who Lead Ambassador and a member of Phi Alpha Delta Pre Law Fraternity, and was awarded with the Excellence in Civic Engagement Medallion of Distinction by the Center for Leadership and Service. Martine speaks fluent French and Creole.

Jessie joined the Grants Management team in March 2018. Based in the London office, she oversees the grant-making operations for all thematic initiatives and the Southeast Asia programme, Prior to joining the Fund, Jessie served as executive officer for the Council for Advancement and Support of Education, coordinating the operations of the Global Engagement Unit. She has previously worked for the Embassy of Mexico to the UK and has done voluntary work for various organisations in Europe, Latin America and South East Asia. Jessie has lived in Mexico, Singapore, Belgium, and the United Kingdom. She holds a MA in International Relations and French from the University of Aberdeen and is fluent in Spanish and French. Jessie is based out of the Fund’s UK office.

Marianne joined the Fund in April 2018 as director of regional programs, providing support for the regional programme officers and coordination across the programme team. Marianne has played a leadership role at several international human rights organisation, most recently as director of research at Physicians for Human Rights. Previously, she served as director of programmes at OutRight Action International (formerly International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission), senior policy advisor at Amnesty International’s International Secretariat, and advocacy director of the Women’s Rights Division at Human Rights Watch. She has overseen sub-granting programmes in Latin America and Africa and has conducted advocacy and documentation across many geographies. Marianne holds a Master’s of Law in International Human Rights Law from Essex University and a Master’s of Science in European Management from Ecole des Affairs de Paris. She also is an adjunct lecturer at Barnard College and the New School for Social Research. Marianne speaks fluent Spanish and Danish, and has a working knowledge of French and German. Marianne is based in NYC, where she spends her copious free time as an amateur sailor, dressmaker, DIY enthusiast, and mom.

Clare joined the Fund in 2016 from the Center for Justice and International Law (CEJIL), where she managed the institutional grants portfolio, helping the organization work toward its mission of guaranteeing human rights for all those living in the Americas. Prior to her work at CEJIL, Clare participated in internships with anti-trafficking organizations, including Polaris Project and the Anti-Trafficking Program at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Clare holds a BA in Humanities and Spanish from Providence College and an MA in Latin American and Hemispheric Studies from George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs. She has a love of Latin America, having spent ample time studying, volunteering, and traveling in the region, and is particularly passionate about women’s rights. She is fluent in Spanish and conversant in Portuguese. In past lives, Clare has worked as a Spanish teacher and legal assistant.

Robin is the Fund’s communications manager, working to build the organisation’s presence in Europe and change the narrative around human rights activism. Robin previously worked with Journalists for Human Rights (JHR), where she spent six years designing and implementing complex media development programmes in a number of conflict and post-conflict countries. Robin is also the creator and manager behind the award-winning Indigenous Reporters programme, which has contributed significantly to the Indigenous rights movement across Canada through empowering Indigenous communities to tell their own stories, better engage with media and lead conversations about human rights issues. Her work has developed the capacity of local reporters and civil society leaders globally and has helped build an enabling environment for independent journalism in some of the world’s most challenging regions. Robin has also previously worked in nonprofit communications and fundraising, and as a multi-media journalist and filmmaker, producing four documentary films to date. Robin has a BA in Journalism and MA in Human Rights Law and Democratisation. Her passion for investigative research and deep interest in how technology is transforming traditional research methods is evidenced through the publication of her thesis on the use of new ICT tools for human rights documentation. Although Robin hails from Toronto, Canada, she has lived throughout Africa, Latin America and Europe—she now calls London her home. Robin is based out of the Fund’s UK office.

Indhira joined the Fund in September 2014 and is currently managing the Learning and Assessment programme, In this role, she coordinates the collection, management, and analysis of data around outcomes and impact, and is responsible for leading a cross-departmental working group as well as promoting learning and facilitating lesson-sharing within the Fund and with external audiences. Before joining the Fund, Indhira worked as a freelance consultant for a grassroots organisation dedicated to improving access to education for children in disadvantaged urban communities in Colombia. She earned a BA in Political Science and French at the University of Miami and later pursued an MA in Nonprofit Management at the Autonomous University of Madrid in Spain. Indhira is a native Spanish speaker, is fluent in French and conversant in Portuguese. She is passionate about human rights issues, particularly those affecting women and girls.

James joined the Fund in February 2016 as programme officer for the Enabling Environment for Human Rights Defenders programme, From 1999 – 2016, James worked for Amnesty International UK, where he led the organisation’s work for and with individuals at risk, including human rights defenders and most recently, served as director of its Human Rights Defenders programme. He has also worked in a variety of human rights campaigning and activism roles with AIUK including mobilising youth, student, and trade union activists. In 1994, James became involved in human rights activism with Peace Brigades International (PBI), taking a variety of roles working in PBI’s UK national group and International Office, and from 2002 – 2003 as a field volunteer for PBI in Colombia, which involved accompanying and supporting human rights defenders at risk from intimidation, stigmatisation, or attack. Currently, James sits on the Advisory Board of the Centre for Applied Human Rights at the University of York and the Funders Initiative for Civil Society (FICS)a collaborative donor initiative on civic space. He is co-editor of several academic journals special issues including the Journal of Human Rights practice’s “Protection of Human Rights Defenders” and the International Journal of Human Rights’ “Critical Perspectives on Security and Protection of Human Rights Defenders,” as well as co-author of ‘Power and Protection,” a multimedia resource from JASS (Just Associates). He holds a BA in History from University College London and a master’s degree in Latin American studies from the University of London. James is based out of the Fund’s UK office.

Nina joined the Fund in January 2019 and currently serves as the temporary human resources generalist. Previously, she worked at the Nature Conservancy for 14 years as a senior human resources business partner, first based in Bali, Indonesia to provide on-site programme human resources support and then in Arlington to support their world office. She also worked in the corporate sector with Bristol-Myers Squibb and Mead Johnson, leading their human resources department for Indonesia and Vietnam. Nina considers herself a world citizen growing up in Indonesia, Thailand, Italy, Sweden, the Philippines, Ethiopia, and finally settling in the US with two adopted daughters from Korea. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition from the University of the Philippines, a Human Resources Executive Certificate from the University of Michigan, and a certificate in Leadership Coaching from Georgetown University. In her free time, she provides gardening advice through the Fairfax Master Gardeners’ Association, occasionally moonlighting for the Merrifield Garden Center, and volunteers in nursing homes as an ombudsman for long-term care residents.

Since 2010, Catalina has worked as a fundraising, communications, and programmatic consultant for organisations such as Search for Common Ground, One World Youth, and George Washington University. She has also worked in senior-level positions at My Sister’s Place and Global Kids. Born to Colombian parents shortly after they arrived in the US, Catalina is fluent in Spanish, has a working knowledge of French, and her substantive expertise is in civic education. Prior to working in philanthropy, Catalina was a programme officer for the US Department of Education. She received a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Toronto and a Master’s degree in Human and Organisational Development from George Washington University. During her time at GW, she received a Fulbright fellowship for a project focusing on civic engagement and peace education among youth in Colombia. Catalina is based in Washington, D.C. She spends her free time playing guitar, singing, and learning Paleo recipes.

Tony Tate began working with the Fund as the programme officer for Sub-Saharan Africa in October 2010. He currently oversees the Fund’s grant-making programme in Uganda. Before joining the Fund, Tony was a programme officer at Unbound Philanthropy, responsible for the development of the organisation’s international programmes. Prior to his work at Unbound Philanthropy, Tony worked for seven years as a researcher at Human Rights Watch, first as their in-country researcher in Burundi, later as the Africa researcher in the Children’s Rights Division. At Human Rights Watch, he investigated and published reports on human rights violations in numerous countries in central, eastern and southern Africa. In the 1990s, Tony worked as a case manager at the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and as a Peace Corps volunteer in the Comoros Islands. He has a J.D. from the City University of New York School of Law, an MA in international affairs and African studies from Columbia University, and a BA from the George Washington University. Tony is a member of the advisory committee of the Children’s Rights Division of Human Rights Watch and is fluent in French and conversant in Swahili.

Frances Tennyson joined the Fund in May 2014 as strategic partnerships manager to help drive forward the Fund’s fundraising and outreach activities with institutional donors in Europe. Frances has worked for over 15 years in the international development, human rights, and social justice sectors, with extensive experience in fundraising from trusts, foundations, and government donors, as well as expertise in managing complex grants. Her previous experience includes five years at the global development charity CARE International working across programmes and Funding teams, heading up the International Fundraising and Grants Management team at the charity Sue Ryder, and a short term at Latin American House Association co-organising the UK’s first ever film festival focused on the cultures and struggles of the indigenous peoples of the Americas. Frances holds a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and Latin American Studies from the University of London and a postgraduate certificate in International Poverty Reduction from the School of Oriental & African Studies. She has a passion for writing, fluency in Spanish, and a deep interest in Latin America having spent time living and travelling in the region, in particular Chile and Cuba. Frances is based out of the Fund’s UK office.

Karen Villatoro joined the Fund in July of 2019 and serves as a Grants Manager for the Fund’s Latin America programs. She has over eight years’ experience working with disadvantaged populations and has developed a strong commitment to human rights and social justice. Before joining the Fund's Washington, D.C. office, Karen was working with non-profit organisations and local government in the state of Maryland. She has written government and private foundation proposals, built funding portfolios, and enjoys database management. In her free time, she loves to write, sketch, and cook. She is fluent in Spanish.

Anjali joined the Fund in August 2018 and brings both fundraising and programme experience focused on grassroots organisations. Prior to joining the Fund, Anjali worked at the Global Fund for Women for eight years where she served as Director of Philanthropic Partnerships. During that time, she managed key institutional donor relationships and grants, worked closely with the programmes team to develop new programmes, and managed a team of grant writers. As part of the China programme at the International Republican Institute, Anjali travelled frequently to China to observe village elections, and worked closely with local partners to administer a variety of trainings including leadership and governance trainings for newly elected village leaders, and encouraging women to run for village level leadership positions. Her work with marginalised grassroots organisations during this time, particularly upon seeing the importance of their work in bringing about social change, inspired her to move to China for three years to serve as an advisor for several of them on fundraising, monitoring and evaluation, and programme design. Anjali holds an MA in International Relations/Asian Studies from George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs and a BA in International Political Economy from Colorado College.

Esra joined the Fund in August 2012 and currently serves as the director of grantmaking operations. She has held various other positions at the Fund—serving as the project coordinator for programmes and prior to that as a grants administrator and programme assistant. Esra is a graduate of Wellesley College, where she studied international relations and gender and development. During her time at Wellesley, she spent a semester abroad in Alexandria, Egypt in an Arabic immersion programme. She has interned at a UNESCO-funded development organisation in Turkey; the Harpswell Foundation in Phnom Penh, Cambodia; the Office of the United Nations Special Envoy for Malaria; and Turkish Philanthropy Funds. Esra speaks Spanish, Turkish, and Arabic.