Team
Paula Avila-Guillen
(She/Her/Ella)
Executive Director
New York, NY, US
Paula Avila-Guillen has fourteen years of experience in designing and implementing advocacy and litigation strategies to address a variety of human rights issues. Her keen political judgment and ability to identify opportunities have led her to advance strategies that have created long-lasting social impact.
Lucía Alanis
(She/Her/Ella)
Manager, Campaigns & Advocacy Programs
Dallas, TX, US
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Lucía is the Manager of Campaigns and Advocacy Programs that advance progressive legislation regarding women’s rights in Latin America. She works specifically in the countries of México, Colombia, Chile, Argentina, and the Dominican Republic. Through her role, Lucía supports and leads the smooth implementation of WEC’s programmatic strategies and tactics.
Yari Aquino Director, Strategy & Communications
Denver, CO
Yari has spent her career developing advocacy and communications campaigns to spark social change. Before joining WEC to help oversee our international and national media strategies, Yari was the Deputy Director of Campaign Communications at EMILY’s List where she worked to elect Democratic pro-choice women to office in the U.S.
Laura Botero Garzón
Manager, Research & Advocacy Programs
Bogotá, Colombia
Laura is a producer, focused on logistics, planning, coordination and development of projects. She has guided her work on initiatives that generate positive changes in society, from urban agriculture to fundamental rights. She believes in the power of advertising tactics as a tool to change the world.
Elida Caballero Cabrera
(She/Her/Ella)
Senior Director, Campaigns & Advocacy Programs
Washington D.C., US
Elida works on advancing reproductive rights in Latin America through political, communications, and advocacy strategies, especially in El Salvador, Honduras, Chile and Mexico. Prior to WEC, she worked as Senior Advocacy Adviser for LAC at the Center for Reproductive Rights. Elida also has diplomatic experience and has worked in international organizations such as the World Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank and the Mission of Panama to the Organization of American States. She is a lawyer.
Catalina de la Mar Calderón
(She/Her/Ella)
Senior Director, Campaigns & Advocacy Programs
Bogotá, Colombia
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Catalina has had the privilege of working with civil society organizations across Latin America and the Caribbean, to strengthen their capacity building and advocacy with major stakeholders. Prior to working with WEC, she served as an adviser to the Presidency of the Republic of Colombia and a consultant for matters related to the formation of strategic alliances and advocacy strategies for the rights of children and youth for international organizations.
Emilia Castillo
(She/Her/Ella)
Coordinator, Digital Campaigns
Bogotá, Colombia
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Emilia is a social communicator from the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana with experience in marketing, project management, and the planning and execution of multichannel campaigns. Prior to WEC, she worked in a multinational consultant agency, learning about communications, strategy, and digital marketing.
Camilo Carlos García Santaella
(He/His/Él/Sumercé)
Manager, Research & Advocacy Programs
Bogotá, Colombia
Camilo Carlos believes that creativity can change reality. He has planned, designed, and created different communication strategies to guarantee rights and freedoms for marginalized groups in Colombia, El Salvador, Argentina, and other Latin American countries.
Fanny Cata Gómez-Lugo
(She/Her/Ella)
Director, Research & Advocacy Programs
Washington D.C., US
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Fanny C. Gómez-Lugo is a queer feminist, Venezuelan lawyer with over sixteen years of experience in advocacy, litigation, movement building and teaching in the fields of international human rights law, reproductive rights, sexual rights, and LGBTQI+ rights. She is the Director of Research and Advocacy Programs at WEC, an Adjunct Professor of Law at Georgetown University Law Center and an independent expert in asylum cases in the U.S. for LGBTQI+ people.
Erika Jeffers
(She/Her/Ella)
Associate Director, Finance & Operations
New York, NY, US
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Erika Jeffers provides key support for finance and administrative functions. Previously, she has worked in similar roles at the Global Impact Investing Network, and the Norman Mailer Center. Erika holds a Masters in Creative Writing from Queens University of Charlotte and a BA in English Literature from the University of West Georgia.
Alejandra Jiménez
(She/Her/Ella)
Associate Director, Digital Campaigns
Bogotá, Colombia
Having always believed in the power of words and the impact of stories, Alejandra is passionate about amplifying voices to achieve lasting social change. Alejandra is responsible for strategizing and managing WEC’s digital campaign efforts - from posting and writing compelling copy to monitoring and managing online engagement.
Jennifer Lacayo
(She/Her/Ella)
Manager, Communications
Miami, FL, US
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Jennifer believes that storytelling is one of the most powerful tools that can be used to inspire action for social change. She is passionate about crafting newsworthy stories that help amplify and address social issues. Jennifer serves as one of WEC’s contacts for the press in the United States and Latin America.
Oriana Lewis Ramos
(She/Her/Ella)
Manager, Digital Campaigns
Washington D.C., US
Oriana is a bilingual and creative professional with over 5 years of experience working in different areas of strategic communications: advertising, public relations, and branding. She is passionate about creating and implementing solutions for communication challenges and about translating difficult topics into easy-to-consume content.
Natalia Mármol
(She/Her/Ella)
Associate Director, Campaigns & Advocacy Programs
Santo Domingo, República Dominicana
Natalia specializes in strategic communications for human rights initiatives. She worked in digital media as a social and political journalist and led political advocacy processes for national organizations in the Dominican Republic. Natalia has also worked with international organizations as a strategic communications consultant throughout Latin America.
Roberto Alejandro Morales
(He/His/Él)
Manager, Digital Campaigns
Bogotá, Colombia
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As a creative, resourceful, and analytical individual, Tico has found a passion for common well-being and pursuing a more just and equitable society. Therefore, he dedicated most of his professional life to assisting individuals and organizations in effectively connecting with their diverse audiences through high-impact strategic communication and audiovisual products.
Itayu Torres
(She/Her/Ella)
Executive Director Assistant (Coordinator)
Washington D.C., US
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Itayu was born in Oaxaca, Mexico, and raised in Los Angeles, California. She holds a B.S in Political Science with a double minor in Spanish and Global Studies from Hood College in Frederick, Maryland. Itayu is passionate about human rights and has worked closely with non-profit organizations under immigration rights.
Wen-Hua Yang
(She/Her/Ella)
Senior Director, Finance & Operations
New York, NY, US
Wen-Hua has over fifteen years of experience in managing business operations in the social justice sector. She is a meticulous and resourceful director, who is passionate about helping new and growing nonprofits develop and scale-up financial, human, and information technology systems that promote organizational effectiveness and sustainability.