Our Team
Based in Redwood City, California, with a policy office in Washington, D.C., the Humanity United team provides resources and support to partner organizations and the larger community working to end modern-day slavery and mass atrocities.
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Our Founder
Pam Omidyar
Founder and Board Chair
Pam established Humanity United to stop and prevent mass atrocities and eradicate modern-day slavery – two of the worst ways humans inflict suffering on one another. As Humanity United’s guiding visionary, Pam was integral in developing Humanity United’s mission and values and is actively engaged in steering its course as Board Chair.
Our Senior Leadership
- Randy Newcomb, President and CEO
- David Abramowitz, Director of Policy and Government Relations
- Mike Boyer, Director of Communications
- Peter
Chun, General Counsel and Secretary
- Ed Marcum, Director of Investments
- Roberta Riga, Chief Operating Officer
Our Team
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David Abramowitz
Director of Policy and Government Relations
David informs Humanity United’s policy-based advocacy activities, leads outreach efforts to the U.S. government, multilateral institutions, and international NGOs, and provides strategic counsel and advice to a broad range of grantees. Before joining Humanity United, David worked for the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the U.S. Department of State for a combined service of more than 20 years.
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Lori Bishop
Associate Director of Investments
Lori works on Humanity United’s modern-day slavery portfolio as well as on strengthening rule of law and governance, independent media, and civil society in Liberia. She has an MPA from the Woodrow Wilson School at Princeton University, with concentrations in development studies and demography.
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Meredith Blair
Research Officer
As a member of the research team, Meredith is charged with advancing Humanity United's research, monitoring, and evaluation work. Meredith holds a master's degree in public administration from the University of Washington’s Daniel J. Evans School of Public Affairs.
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Mike Boyer
Director of Communications
Mike leads Humanity United’s communications efforts and works with partner organizations on media and public relations strategy. He previously served on the senior editorial staff at Foreign Policy magazine, and has written extensively on a wide array of foreign policy issues.
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Peter Chun
General Counsel and Secretary
Peter oversees all legal and compliance matters for Humanity United. He has served as counsel to a variety of organizations, ranging from the federal government to private philanthropies.
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Brent Crane
Information Technology Manager
Brent manages Information Technology at Humanity United. His technical knowledge includes more than 17 years of experience managing IT departments, consulting, and teaching management information systems, and an MBA from San Jose State University with a concentration in innovation and management.
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Shonna Dawson
Executive Administrator
Shonna provides support to Randy Newcomb, President and CEO. She has held executive assistant roles in a variety of industries, including support to the CEO of LinkedIn.
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Rory Eakin
Associate Director of Investments
Rory works with Humanity United’s partner organizations and is responsible for the diligence, structuring, and execution of new opportunities. He holds an MBA from Stanford University's Graduate School of Business and a master's degree in international affairs from the University of Cape Town.
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Camelia Fahimi
Accounting Manager
Camelia is responsible for Humanity United’s general accounting and finance operations. She has more than 10 years of accounting experience in start-up companies.
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Amy Gill
Receptionist/Administrative Assistant
Amy supports the Humanity United team, and provides project assistance to the investment staff. Previously, Amy was a receptionist at Omidyar Network.
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Debi Kellerer
Community Outreach Manager
Debi develops learning relationships and will assist in the development of a global network of grassroots organizations, field-based analysts, top-level policy makers and other funding organizations working to address Humanity United’s focus areas.
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Michael Kleinman
Investment Manager
Michael works on Humanity United's mass atrocities portfolio, with an emphasis on projects in Liberia and Sudan. He previously worked for international NGOs in Afghanistan, across east and central Africa, and in Iraq.
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Meredith Larson
Director of the Alliance to End Slavery & Trafficking (ATEST)
Meredith leads a nonpartisan coalition of U.S.-based anti-slavery and anti-human trafficking organizations, convened and supported by Humanity United. Previously, Meredith worked for Amnesty International USA for nearly 10 years.
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Alison Lewis
Administrative Assistant
Alison provides support to the Director of Communications and Director of Investments. She has more than 15 years of experience as an executive assistant in various industries, including biotechnology, healthcare, and social services.
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Susan Lombardi
Administrative Services Manager
Susan manages the day-to-day office functions, as well as grants management and human resources. Susan completed project management certification with the University of California at Berkeley.
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Kevin Luu
Head of Finance
Kevin oversees Humanity United's financial operations, as well as the organization's fiscal reporting and accountability practices. His financial management experience includes work with firms such as Elevation, Critical Path and 3DO.
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Ed Marcum
Director of Investments
Ed leads Humanity United's efforts to evaluate, execute, and manage investment opportunities. He has extensive experience in the field of international development; prior to joining Humanity United, Ed held senior management positions at several international NGOs.
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Carmelita Mitchell
Grants Manager
Carmelita oversees grant management, including compliance and due diligence. She has extensive experience in the philanthropic sector, working with organizations such as the JEHT Foundation and the Wenner-Gren Foundation for Anthropological Research.
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Dave Mozersky
Associate Director
Dave is Associate Director. He has been involved in conflict prevention work in Sudan and eastern Africa since 2001, with a specific interest in mediation efforts and regional peace processes.
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Randy Newcomb
President and CEO
Randy oversees Humanity United’s international grant-making portfolio, as well as its direct advocacy and policy activities, and leads the organization’s long-term strategy. He speaks and writes frequently on international human rights issues and has appeared as an expert commentator for such media outlets as CNN, ABC News, and National Public Radio.
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Vanessa Parra
Communications Manager
Vanessa works to expand the scope of Humanity United's communications and media relations efforts. She previously served as the Press & Information Officer for Refugees International.
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Roberta Riga
Chief Operating Officer
Roberta provides leadership and direction over human resources, finance, information technology, and administrative services. Her nearly 20 years of professional experience includes executive positions with companies such as VG Holding Corp.
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Aryan Rodriguez
Associate for the Alliance to End Slavery & Trafficking (ATEST)
Aryan helps to develop and support the member-driven leadership in its goal to abolish modern-day slavery. She previously worked for the Government of the District of Columbia managing the city's Language Access Program.
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Jeannette Regala Smith
Administrative Assistant
Jeannette provides support to the Chief Operating Officer, Corporate Counsel, Director of Finance, IT Manager, and Manager of Administrative Services. Her professional experience spans across a variety of industries, including broadcast, finance, and international travel.
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Julia Thornton
Communications Manager
Julia helps develop and implement communication strategies and initiatives that expand awareness of Humanity United’s mission, partners, and focus areas. She also provides support to the Alliance to End Slavery & Trafficking (ATEST).
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Saadiya Zaki
Investment Manager
Saadiya helps to manage the modern-day slavery portfolio, including building key partnerships and working closely with the Alliance to End Slavery & Trafficking (ATEST).
Director of Investments Ed Marcum addresses a crowd in Bong County, Liberia, following a performance by two Carter Center partners, the Bong Youth Association and Modia Drama Club. Both organizations focus on improved rural access to justice through education.