I am a researcher, lawyer, and program manager with nearly two decades of experience in international human rights and governance. Currently, I am a Ph.D. student in Planning, Governance, and Globalization and a Ridenour Fellow in the Department of Government and International Affairs at the Virginia Tech School of Public and International Affairs, and the part-time Asia/Pacific Program Director at the American Bar Association Center for Global Programs. I have subject-matter expertise in public international law, civil society strengthening, justice systems, governance, and human rights, with particular focus on freedom of religion and belief and the rights of religious, ethnic, and cultural minorities. With a professional background spanning four global regions, I have deep experience working with civil society and the justice sector, particularly in Maldives and Sri Lanka. My current research focuses on foreign aid effectiveness and civil society resilience, especially regarding faith-based, interfaith, and interethnic movements.

Previously, I was a foreign assistance programs director leading a portfolio of human rights, justice systems, and civil society strengthening programs in South and Southeast Asia. Before that, I led an international change management fellowship for justice-sector professionals, supported global justice system strengthening projects as a researcher and evaluator, and practiced as a human rights lawyer in the Americas. I have taught undergraduate and graduate courses in law and public policy, and I volunteer with animal rescue and immigrant rights organizations in my community. I hold a J.D. and LL.M. in international human rights law from the University of Notre Dame and a BA in international studies and French from the University of Denver.