The Advocates of Human Rights

As Deputy Executive Director, Jennifer shares responsibility for leading The Advocates for Human Rights and overseeing all aspects of the organization's operations. She is also responsible for program oversight, organizational communications, and working with the board of directors to implement the organization’s strategic plan. In addition, Jennifer directs the International Justice Program, supervising the organization’s international advocacy at the United Nations and capacity-building training for human rights defenders, as well as the Nepal School Project.

Jennifer served as Deputy Director of The Advocates from 2002 to 2024. In that role, she developed and led several transitional justice projects, including the Liberian Truth & Reconciliation Commission Diaspora Project. She also represented The Advocates in the United Nations' revision of the Minnesota Protocol on the Investigation of Potentially Unlawful Death (2016), serving on the Legal Investigations Working Group. Prior to becoming Deputy Director, Jennifer practiced asylum law for seven years and directed the organization’s Refugee and Immigrant Program, where she specialized in gender-based asylum claims.

All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. Jennifer deeply believes that we all have a part to play in making those rights a reality for everyone.

She has taught International Human Rights Law as an adjunct faculty member at the University of St. Thomas School of Law.

Jennifer has a B.A. in political science from Yale and a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy from the Fletcher School at Tufts University, where she studied international human rights law and international refugee policy. She graduated cum laude from the University of Minnesota Law School.