Legislative Fellows Profiles
Allison Shurilla
St. Paul, Minnesota
Amanda Weitekamp St. Paul, Minnesota
• Expertise: Research and Evaluation • Home Organization: Hispanic Advocacy and Community Empowerment through Research • Host Organization: ConTextos • Host City: San Salvador, El Salvador
• Expertise: Law, Juvenile Rights • Home Organization: 2nd Judicial District Public Defender, Ramsey County • Host Organization: Supreme Court of Justice Human Rights Division • Host City: Asunción, Paraguay
Allison Shurilla holds a varied background in research and evaluation that includes work with nonprofit, government, and private organizations. She has expertise in education, youth, immigration, public health, community development, and international development. She specializes in community-based research, and an individualized, organization-centered approach to evaluation. She has worked extensively with the diverse communities in Minnesota and has educational and professional experience in Mexico and the Dominican Republic. Ms. Shurilla holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology and Spanish Studies from the University of Minnesota and a Masters in Public Policy from the Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs.
Amanda Weitekamp has worked for the State of Minnesota as an Assistant Ramsey County Public Defender for 8 years. She has previously worked as a judicial law clerk in family court and as an attorney at a non-profit organization focused on indigent criminal defense services. She has focused her education and career on juvenile criminal defense and systemic reform work in that area. She has handled a variety of cases in juvenile and adult court, ranging from truancy and runaway petitions to traffic, assault, criminal sexual conduct, and homicide.
For her fellowship, Ms. Shurilla will be working with Contextos, a local NGO that focuses on literacy issues in the country, to improve as well as learn from their evaluation and reporting tools.
Ms. Weitekamp will work with the Planning and Special Projects team of the Human Rights Department of the Paraguayan Supreme Court in its ongoing work to improve and develop programs centered around the defense and rehabilitation of juvenile criminal offenders.
Legislative Fellows Profiles
Ana DeFrates
Bernadette Casey
Austin, Texas
Minneapolis, Minnesota
• Expertise: Law and Constituent Relations • Home Organization: Office of Texas Senator Kirk Watson • Host Organization: Iniciativas para el Desarrollo de la Mujer Oaxaqueña (IDEMO); GESMujer • Host City: Oaxaca, Mexico
• Expertise: Juvenile Rights, Behavioral Health • Home Organization: 4th Judicial District Public Defender, Hennepin County • Host Organization: Supreme Court of Justice Human Rights Division • Host City: Asunción, Paraguay
Ana DeFrates serves as District Director and Assistant General Counsel for State Senator Kirk Watson. She joined Senator Watson’s office in 2010 where her job includes working directly with individual constituents, advocacy groups, and state and local government agencies to develop implementation strategies for new legislation and to identify future legislative initiatives in the areas of health and human services. Over the last decade, she has worked five consecutive Texas legislative sessions through several non-profit organizations and most recently through her position within the Texas Senate. She is passionate about demystifying the legislative process and often gives talks to constituent groups on how to be most effective in a legislative environment.
Bernadette Casey is a social worker for the underprivileged clients that are represented by the Public Defender’s Office. She consults with staff attorneys, assesses client needs, and formulates alternative sentencing/disposition recommendations for the court. Through maintaining liaisons with county social service agencies, correction departments, community social services and mental health departments, Ms. Casey is able to advise the courts as to appropriate treatment plans for clients that are often dealing with serious issues such as mental illness, chemical dependency, and cognitive deficits. Ms. Casey has also served on the Minneapolis Commission on Civil Rights since 2010. Since being appointed as a Commissioner, she has served on the executive committee as treasurer and co-chaired the Public Relations and Education sub-committee.
Ms. DeFrates will be learning about different initiatives that women-led organizations, such as IDEMO and GESMujer, are implementing in the areas of health, law, and capacity building.
Ms. Casey’s passion for issues related to youth, juvenile justice systems, and restorative justice will be carried over to her fellowship at the Paraguayan Supreme Court and its continued work to develop a national juvenile justice system.
Legislative Fellows Profiles
Gina Nappi
East Hanover, New Jersey
Jenna Briggs
Washington, D.C.
• Expertise: Grants Management, Environment • Home Organization: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) • Host Organization: Asociación de Voluntarios para el Desarrollo Comunitario (AVODEC) • Host City: Jinotega, Nicaragua
• Expertise: Project Management, Disability Rights • Home Organization: Special Olympics International • Host Organization: University of Rosario, Human Rights Department • Host City: Bogotá, Colombia
Gina Nappi is a Grant Management Specialist with EPA. In this capacity, she is responsible for reviewing project proposals and ensuring that grant recipients comply with program guidelines and federal regulations. Additionally, she has worked on initiatives to encourage Spanish-speaking organizations to apply for federal assistance, as well as developed grants management guidance materials for non-profit recipients. Ms. Nappi received her Masters of Public Administration from Rutgers University during which she participated as a Masters International Student with the United States Peace Corps. Her community development work as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Paraguay played a significant role in the completion of her thesis.
Jenna Briggs manages over $2 million in grants for Special Olympics International, which strives to improve the lives of people with intellectual disabilities in over 55 countries. These grants, funded by the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Department of Defense, and Mattel, Inc., focus on creating social change through sport by engaging volunteers, activating youth, and providing motor development training for children ages 2 to 7. Her previous positions at Special Olympics include leading the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Fellowship, and overseeing student-led grants in Research and Evaluation. Ms. Briggs is also a mentor at American University’s School of Public Affairs Leadership Program.
As a Legislative Fellow, Ms. Nappi will work with AVODEC and various local organizations throughout the community of Jinotega, offering trainings on proposal writing. She would also like to understand the participatory budgeting process in Nicaragua.
Ms. Briggs will work with the University of Rosario’s law and health department in current research and project initiatives, as well as advocacy efforts to improve access to basic social and health services for people with disabilities.
Legislative Fellows Profiles
Jessica Guzmán
New York, New York
John Sadowski
St. Paul, Minnesota
• Expertise: Education Policy & Advocacy • Home Organization: Hispanic Federation • Host Organization: Organización de Estados Iberoamericanos (OEI) • Host City: Asunción, Paraguay
• Expertise: Criminal Law • Home Organization: 2nd Judicial District Public Defender, Ramsey County • Host Organization: • Host City: Porto Alegre, Brazil
Jessica Guzmán serves as Director of Education at Hispanic Federation (HF), a premier Latino membership organization founded to address the many inequities confronting Latinos and the broad network of nonprofits in areas of health, immigration, economic empowerment, civic engagement and education. Ms. Guzmán has over 8 years of experience managing several of HF’s community advocacy and policy projects, including Pathways to Academic Excellence, a culturally-competent educational seminar series that enable parents to actively support their children’s education; and CREAR Futuros, a crosssector collaborative effort that works to systemically increase Latino college access, retention and graduation in New York City.
John W. Sadowski has served as an Assistant Ramsey County Public Defender, where he has represented indigent adult clients in all types of criminal cases including driving while intoxicated, domestic assault, gun possession, criminal sexual conduct, and murder. He has tried in excess of 30 criminal cases to a jury and specializes in trial advocacy. He has a keen interest in social justice issues for the poor in regards to the criminal justice system, the environment, and civil rights, and is particularly interested in advocating for individuals struggling with mental health issues and addiction. Prior to joining the Public Defender’s office, Mr. Sadowski served as a law clerk for an insurance defense firm and, later, as a Judicial Law Clerk for the judges of Ramsey County.
Ms. Guzmán will be collaborating with her host organization in developing a strategy for a project that seeks to reintegrate the migrant community of Paraguay through higher education programs and opportunities.
For his fellowship, Mr. Sadowski will be assigned to a local prosecutor in Bage and a law firm in Porto Alegre, where he will learn first-hand about the legal process at the state and national level.
Legislative Fellows Profiles
Jinny Johnson
St. Paul, Minnesota • Expertise: Health Policy/Advocacy • Home Organization: Minnesota Association of Community Health Centers (MNACHC) • Host Organization: TBD • Host Country: Brazil Jinny Johnson is a Health Policy Specialist for the the Minnesota Association of Community Health Centers (MNACHC). In her role, she leads MNACHC’s MNsure, Minnesota health insurance exchange, outreach and enrollment efforts. She also conducts legislative analysis, government liaising, and direct advocacy on behalf of the community health centers and the patients they serve. Prior, Ms. Johnson worked for the Minnesota Department of Health in the Health Economics Program, Tobacco Prevention and Control, and the Legislative Affairs Office. She is active in work and partnerships with Minnesota’s ethnic communities through several coalitions and projects, including Leadership and Advocacy Institute to Advance Minnesota’s Parity for Priority Populations, Health Equity Working Committee (HEWC), Asian American Pacific Islander Health Coalition, Raise It for Health Coalition, and Alliance for Racial and Cultural Health Equity. Ms. Johnson will be undertaking her fellowship with a local Brazilian health organization in order to gain a better understanding of the country’s health care system.
Diego Morales
Indianapolis, Indiana • Expertise: Community/Government Affairs, Public- Private Partnerships • Home Organization: Office of Indiana Governor Michael R. Pence • Host Organization: Instituto de Estudos do Trabalho e Sociedade (IETS) • Host City: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Diego Morales is the Director of Community Affairs for Indiana Governor Michael R. Pence. He is an executive with proven experience in the private and public sectors. With strong executive management experience in foreign affairs, governmental affairs, public relations, and political campaigns, as well as in global marketing, supply chain management, and business development, Morales utilizes his skills and education gained through business, the U.S. military, and graduate studies around the world to help promote the Governor’s agenda, which includes economic development and the creation of jobs. For his fellowship, Mr. Morales will be learning about the various community development programs and initiatives of his host organization, including one project that aims to develop the favelas of Rio de Janeiro.
Legislative Fellows Profiles
Jonathan Braxton Washington, D.C.
Judy Lao
Washington, D.C.
• Expertise: Grants Management, Education Policy • Home Organization: U.S. Department of Education • Host Organization: Servicio Nacional de Aprendizaje (SENA) • Host City: Bogotá, Colombia
• Expertise: International Trade • Home Organization: U.S. Department of Commerce • Host Organization: National Confederation Industry (CNI) • Host City: Brasilia, Brazil
Jonathan Braxton is a Grants Management Specialist in the Institutional Services Division of the Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE), at the Department of Education. The Institutional Services Division administers programs that focus on institutions that enroll large proportions of minority and financially disadvantaged students with low per student expenditures, i.e. Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs), Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), American Indian Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs) and Alaska Native & Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions.
Judy Lao is an international trade specialist for the U.S. Department of Commerce. She leads Commerce’s customs trade facilitation program for the Western Hemisphere, emphasizing publicprivate sector dialogues to facilitate pro-business reforms that expedite secure exports and increase trade. Ms. Lao currently manages a team that has carried out trade facilitation in program with 8 countries, developing a network of hundreds of partners and stakeholders. Previously, Ms. Lao served as Commerce’s Peru and Chile desk officer addressing industry market access and compliance concerns and as an anti-dumping trade analyst. She also served at the Department of Agriculture as a financial dispute mediator. She holds a B.A. in Spanish from Western Oregon University and an Master’s in International Commerce in Policy from George Mason University.
Mr. Braxton manages the operations of a capacity development grant portfolio, which provides financial assistance to help eligible Title III institutions solve problems that threaten their ability to survive, to improve their management and fiscal operations, and to build endowments.
As a Fellow, Ms. Lao will observe CNI’s trade facilitation and business innovation programs in Brasilia.
Legislative Fellows Profiles
Kristen Henry
Washington, D.C. • Expertise: Volunteerism, Service Learning, Youth • Home Organization: Serve DC: Mayor’s Office on Volunteerism • Host Organization: Programa Presidencial para el Sistema Nacional de Juventud (Colombia Joven) • Host City: Bogotá, Colombia Kristen Henry is the National Service Director at Serve DC, where her role focuses on strategic partnerships, capacity building, and resource development for AmeriCorps and other volunteer service initiatives. She holds over 13 years of experience in the volunteer sector with focus areas that include service-learning, program development, alternative education, and youth development. Her involvement with national service began when she served for two years as an AmeriCorps member with City Year Philadelphia and Habitat for Humanity Metro Denver. In addition to her work in the U.S., Ms. Henry is involved with America Solidaria, a nonprofit based in Chile that builds cooperative networks across the Americas to support social change through volunteer engagement. Currently, she serves on the Board of Directors of America Solidaria US. Ms. Henry will be at Colombia Joven, a government agency established to promote active involvement of youth in politics, the economy, environment, sports, culture, and society in general, through voluntary engagement.
Mark de la Iglesia Washington, D.C.
• Expertise: Transparency, Open Government • Home Organization: Open Society Foundations • Host Organization: Tecnología, Educación, Desarrollo, Investigación y Comunicación (TEDIC) • Host City: Asunción, Paraguay Mark de la Iglesia works at Open Society Foundations’ Fiscal Governance Program on global grantmaking to improve government transparency and accountability. Prior to his current position, he was a senior program manager at the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI), where he supported legislative strengthening, transparency, and other democratic governance programs in countries around the world. Mr. de la Iglesia has also served in both the legislative and executive branches of the U.S. federal government – as a legislative director for U.S. Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA), and legislative affairs director at the U.S. Department of State. Additionally, he has served in temporary assignments as a governance adviser in Rwanda, and as an elections monitor for the Organization of American States (OAS). As a Fellow in Paraguay, Mark is interested in learning about how civil society groups can advocate more effectively in pursuit of transparency policies and other reforms to improve democratic accountability.
Legislative Fellows Profiles
Mary Beth Hartenstine Ferndale, Washington
Patricia Gamboa
Fayetteville, Arkansas
• Expertise: Higher Education, Youth Development • Home Organization: Community Colleges for International Development (CCID) • Host Organization: Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia de Brasília (IFB) • Host City: Brasília, Brazil
• Expertise: Educational Exchanges; Capacity Building • Home Organization: University of Arkansas • Host Organization: COMEXUS • Host City: Mexico City, Mexico
Mary Beth Hartenstine is a Program Manager with CCID, a non-profit organization dedicated to furthering internationalization initiatives for community colleges around the world. She has experience in both international higher education programs and in the non-profit management field. She works on educational mobility programs for students, faculty, and administrators in higher education with the goal of expanding access and opportunity to traditionally disadvantaged populations. Ms. Hartenstine’s professional experience prior to joining CCID includes coordinating international educational exchange programs at Temple Law School in Philadelphia and managing an Ethnic Communities grant at a refugee resettlement agency in Salt Lake City. She has also worked in program and grants administration for a non-profit youth empowerment organization.
Patricia Gamboa is the Associate Director for Special Programs at the University of Arkansas Graduate School and International Education. She manages a multi-million dollar Pre-Academic Training Program for Undergraduate Panamanian scholars and has initiated agreements with Hispanic Serving Institutions for graduate students. Previously, she worked at the Higher Education Department in New Mexico and was appointed to the New Mexico Dual Credit Council aligning New Mexico’s high school competencies with college placement requirements. She also served as an adjunct faculty member with the School of Adult and General Education at Central New Mexico Community College and also worked full-time in the School of Math, Science and Engineering. Other accomplishments include participation in the PhD Project in 2013 and the E. (Kika) de la Garza Fellowship sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 2008.
Through her fellowship at IFB, Ms. Hartenstine will learn about the Brazilian higher education system, especially as it relates to the provision of nontraditional pathways to tertiary learning.
Ms. Gamboa will be learning about the COMEXUS model on international partnerships and exchanges in order to develop a similar educational program for the University of Arkansas.
Legislative Fellows Profiles
Roberto González Jr.
Zorayda Moreira-Smith
• Expertise: Education, Cross-Border Exchanges • Home Organization: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) • Host Organization: CETYS Universidad Baja California • Host City: Mexicali, B.C., México
• Expertise: Community Development; Government Relations • Home Organization: CASA de Maryland, Inc. • Host Organization: Alianza ONG • Host City: Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Roberto González Jr. is the USDA-HSI Regional Director for Southern California and Arizona (SoCal & AZ) and serves as a regional resource for students, faculty, staff, and administrators at Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs) located in the southernmost part of California and throughout the State of Arizona to facilitate access to educational, professional, and institutional development opportunities.
As a Manager at CASA, the state’s largest nonprofit serving the immigrant community, Zorayda Moreira-Smith spearheads the organization’s work in developing opportunities to improve the quality of life for CASA members through exploring, researching, designing, and implementingprojects in affordable housing, community wealth creation and preservation, and other related community and economic development programs. She also manages the legislative, regulatory, and impact litigation strategies that CASA employs to address the inequities in development. She previously served as the organization’s staff attorney, representing low-income immigrants in civil rights, community development, housing, immigration, consumer, and employment law claims in state and federal court.
El Centro, California
Mr. González Jr. earned his Bachelor’s of Arts in Psychology with an Emphasis in Organizational Psychology and Spanish with an Emphasis in Commercial Spanish, and a Master’s of Public Administration (M.P.A.) from San Diego State University (SDSU). He also previously participated as a Fellow in the Executive Program for Nonprofit Leaders (EPNL) at Stanford University. Mr. González will be at CETYS University to investigate the possibility of the institution hosting students from underserved Hispanic communities from the United States in the future.
Silver Spring, Maryland
Ms. Moreira-Smith will be working with her host organization and its network of civil society organizations (CSOs) in looking at and evaluating the strategies for civil society and government to work together and address social problems.