Mavis Anderson, Senior Associate

Since 1997, Mavis has covered U.S. policy toward Cuba, cultivating congressional, organizational and
grassroots support for the LAWG coalition's efforts to end the U.S. embargo on Cuba. She also works on U.S. policy toward Venezuela and other issues. Prior to her work with LAWG, Mavis was the program director for International Travel Seminars at the Center for Global Education at Augsburg College, Minneapolis, where she worked since 1982. During part of her time with the Center for Global Education, Mavis lived in El Salvador from 1988-1990, where she founded and coordinated the Center's El Salvador educational programs. A mid-westerner, Mavis received her Master's degree from Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota, where she focused her studies on international development. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Jennifer Johnson, Senior Associate

Jennifer began her work on issues relating to Mexico and the U.S./Mexico border region as a program coordinator for BorderLinks, a binational nonprofit organizationbased in Tucson, Arizona and Nogales, Sonora. While there, she taught experiential educational seminars on the impact of U.S. trade, law enforcement and immigration policy on border communities. As part of her graduate studies, Jennifer conducted research and mobilized support for an occupational health program in Hermosillo, Sonora. Jennifer worked for the Virginia Justice Center for Farm and Immigrant Workers, conducting advocacy on policy issues that impact immigrant communities and low-wage immigrant workers in Virginia. Jennifer has a B.A. from Earlham College in Peace and Global Studies and a Master's degree in Public Health from the University of Arizona. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Emily Chow, Senior Program Associate

Emily works on the LAWG’s Cuba, Haiti and Venezuela programs and provides IT support for the organization. Her first experience in Latin America was in 2008 when she participated in a research and community service trip to Ecuador that focused on the indigenous rights movement and environmental protection among indigenous communities. This trip propelled Emily into the world of social justice and advocacy both in Latin America and the United States. Before joining LAWG as an intern, Emily studied abroad in Cuba in 2009. Her first-hand experience living in Cuba motivated her to work on advocating for U.S. policy change towards the island. Emily graduated from American University with a degree in International Relations, with concentrations in Peace and Conflict Resolution and Spanish and Latin American Studies.  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

 Ruth Isabel Robles, Program Assistant

Ruth works on LAWG’s Mexico and U.S.-Mexico border program in addition to being our Fundraising Associate. As a child, Ruth spent her summers with family in Mexico, developing a love for the people and culture. It wasn’t until college when she formally pursued her interests, conducting job clinics at El Centro Hispano, a local Hispanic community center in Chapel Hill, NC, aimed at helping immigrants find work. It was these immigrants’ stories and difficulties that she witnessed at El Centro Hispano which motivated her to dedicate herself to social justice. Prior to joining LAWG, Ruth interned for the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA), researching police reform in Honduras for the Citizen Security team. Ruth holds a B.A. in Spanish with a minor in Social & Economic Justice from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 Omar Antonio Martinez, Program Assistant

Omar works on our Colombia and Central America Campaigns and is also our Finance Associate. Born and raised in Managua, Nicaragua, Omar spent the first seventeen years of his life developing a keen interest in Latin America as he observed the social hardships and political challenges facing his native country. In 2006, Omar moved to Saint Louis, Missouri, and attended Webster University where he pursued a double major in Sociology and Political Science. Gaining a theoretical perspective to enhance his personal experience and interest in Latin America and international politics, Omar participated in the Webster Study Abroad Program in Leiden, Netherlands where he focused his studies in International Law and Comparative Politics. Upon completion of his university studies, Omar moved to Washington, D.C and worked for the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) before joining LAWG. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it