Lisa Haugaard, Executive Director

Lisa has been executive director of the Latin America Working Group since June 2002. From 1993 to 2001, she served as Senior Associate at the LAWG, where she worked on Colombia and Central America policy, development assistance and other topics. She has testified before the US Congress and produced numerous reports and articles on US-Latin America policy. Prior to her work at the LAWG, she was executive director of the Central America Historical Institute in Washington, DC and writer, editor and translator for the Jesuit Instituto Historico Centroamericano in Managua, Nicaragua. She has a BA from Swarthmore College, a Master’s degree in Latin American studies from New York University, and was a Fulbright scholar in Central America.

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Mavis Anderson, Senior Associate

Since 1997, Mavis has covered US policy toward Cuba, cultivating congressional, organizational and grassroots support for the LAWG coalition's efforts to end the US embargo on Cuba. She also works on US 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.

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Jennifer Johnson, Senior Associate

Jennifer began her work on issues relating to Mexico and the US/Mexico border region working as a program coordinator for BorderLinks, a binational nonprofit organization
based 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. Most recently,
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.

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Travis Wheeler, Program Assistant

Travis works on U.S. policy towards Colombia and Guatemala, in addition to managing the LAWG's finances. He became a committed human rights advocate after meeting victims of U.S. policy during trips to El Salvador, the U.S.-México border, and Colombia. Prior to joining our team, he interned at the Chicago Religious Leadership Network and took part in the effort to demilitarize U.S. aid to Colombia. Travis graduated from DePaul University with a degree in political science and religious studies. When he's not at LAWG, you'll find him strumming a guitar or playing his heart out on the soccer field.

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Ellen Draeger, Program Assistant

Ellen works on the LAWG’s Mexico/Border program in addition to various administrative duties. She joins the LAWG this year as a Lutheran Volunteer. A native Minnesotan, Ellen's passion for social justice is a direct result of watching the issues faced by recent immigrants to her rural community. A recent graduate of St. Olaf College majoring in English and women's studies, Ellen considers violence against women her primary area of concern. She spent time in college tutoring ESL students and working for a girl's empowerment program in the local middle school. In her free time Ellen is happiest reading, baking pies or hiking near Lake Superior.

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Paulo Gusmao, Program Assistant

Paulo works on the LAWG’s Cuba and Venezuela programs and provides IT support for the organization. Originally from Brazil, his heritage and time spent living in Venezuela drew him to advocate for change in U.S. policy toward the region. Paulo first traveled to Cuba in 2000 and returned in 2003 to learn more about the public health system. Prior to joining the LAWG team, Paulo interned with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights and with the LAWG’s Cuba program. He graduated from the Johnston Center at the University of Redlands with a degree in Government and Economics with a regional emphasis in Latin America. During his time at Redlands Paulo had the opportunity to travel in Argentina, Mexico and Guatemala.

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