Anna Margret has a master’s degree in Cultural Anthropology from Texas Tech University, where they focused their studies on cultural heritage and immigrant diasporas. They originally hail from Iceland and relocated recently to Baltimore after spending close to 8 years in Texas and Oklahoma. Post graduation, Anna worked as a paralegal at an immigration law firm and that experience, alongside their volunteer work with the Norwegian and Icelandic Red Cross, cemented their want for continuing work in the field of immigration. Anna speaks Icelandic, Danish, Norwegian, and Swedish. 

Prior to joining AWE, Ashley worked extensively in schools across Baltimore, assisting children from early childhood through high school in improving their reading comprehension skills. She has over five years of administrative experience in organizations serving vulnerable populations. Ashley holds a bachelor’s degree in English literature from Coppin State University and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Literary Theory.    

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.

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

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.

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.  

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.

Jason is from the Dominican Republic. Prior to working at AWE, he spent two years at the Board of Childcare with the Caminos program, advocating for unaccompanied minors. He is eager to further his journey in Social Work and make a difference. Jason is fluent in Spanish.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

Ocan has worked as the assistant superintendent of police in Uganda and as the head of fitness and wellness unit of the Ugandan police. He was also head of security at the Uganda Olympics Committee, and in 2014, he served as the coach for Uganda Women’s National Volleyball Team. Ocan holds a diploma in Business Administration and Sports Management. He speaks Swahili, Acholi, Luganda, and Lusoga. 

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. 

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. 

Silav studied Accounting at Royal University of Law and Economics. Prior to joining AWE, she spent five years working in finances, as well as three years working in administration with grassroots NGOs in Cambodia. She also volunteered with Operation Christmas Child (Samaritan's Purse) as Resources Coordinator for three years. Silav speaks Khmer.

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.