William D. Zabel
Founding Partner, Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP; Chair of Board of Directors, Human Rights First
Bill Zabel is one of the country’s leading experts on trusts and estates law. For the last 40 years, Zabel has been a prominent advocate for human rights in this country and abroad. In addition to his leadership of Human Rights First, Zabel serves on the boards of amfAR, Doctors of the World, and the World Policy Institute, among others, and is legal advisor to the Soros network of foundations. He is also a trustee of The New School and New York University.
Meredith Vieira
Co-Anchor, Today
Meredith Vieira became a co-anchor of NBC’s Today on September 13, 2006. She is also a host of Who Wants To Be a Millionaire and served as a co-host of ABC’s The View from 1997 to 2006. Vieira joined ABC’s news division in 1993 as Chief Correspondent of Turning Point, where she worked until 1997. Before going to ABC, Vieira spent more than a decade at CBS News, where she worked on the news magazines 60 Minutes and West 57th and co-anchored the CBS Morning News. Vieira has won eight Emmy Awards.
Sigourney Weaver
Actor; Board Member,
Human Rights First
Sigourney Weaver soared to fame as Ripley in Ridley Scott’s Alien. One of the most versatile actors of her generation, Weaver’s characters include Dian Fossey in Gorillas In The Mist, Tawny in Galaxy Quest and most recently the title character in A.R. Gurney’s play Mrs. Farnsworth. Weaver has three films out this year: Snowcake, Infamous and
The TV Set; she just completed Vantage Point, playing opposite Dennis Quaid. Weaver has been on the Human Rights First Board of Directors since 1986. She also works with amfAR, Central Park Conservancy, and the Flea Theater.
Jeffrey WrightActor; Chief Executive Officer, Taia, LLC
Winner of a Tony Award for Angels in America, and a Golden Globe and an Emmy for his role in the HBO adaptation of the play, Jeffrey Wright first captured public attention for his performance in Basquiat. Wright starred as Martin Luther King, Jr. in HBO’s Boycott, and co-starred in Syriana, Broken Flowers, and The Manchurian Candidate. He can be seen in the forthcoming The Visiting and the next James Bond installment, Casino Royale. Wright is the CEO of Taia, LLC which is undertaking economic development initiatives in West Africa.
Gloria Estefan Singer, actress, humanitarian
Known as the “Queen of Latin Pop,” Gloria Estefan is a five-time Grammy Award-winning singer, actress, songwriter, best-selling author, philanthropist and humanitarian. Born in Havana, Estefan’s family fled Cuba in 1959, and settled in Miami. Estefan began her career as the lead singer of the Miami Sound Machine. Last year, she released a children’s book, which has been turned into a series. “Noelle’s Treasure Tale: A New Magically Mysterious Adventure,” her second book, has just been released. Estefan’s greatest pride is her family, her children Nayib and Emily Marie, and her husband, Emilio.
Michael PosnerPresident, Human Rights First
Michael Posner was Executive Director of Human Rights First from its founding in 1978 until January of this year. He played a key role in establishing the first U.S. law providing for political asylum and in helping pass the Torture Victim Protection Act. As a member of the White House Apparel Industry Partnership Task Force, he helped found the Fair Labor Association (FLA). In 1998, Posner was a leader in the formation of the International Criminal Court. Posner regularly participates in human rights missions, testifies before Congress, and serves as a commentator in the media on human rights issues.
Maureen Byrnes
Executive Director, Human Rights First
Maureen Byrnes was appointed as Human Rights First’s Executive Director in January 2006. A seasoned public policy advocate, administrator and change agent, Byrnes’ career has spanned the sectors – from Capitol Hill, to higher education, to health care and the AIDS crisis. Under her leadership at The Pew Charitable Trusts, the Health and Human Services program established a strong reputation for solving tough policy problems by exploring divergent views and building broad consensus for change. She brings this unique perspective to her new role at Human Rights First.
Alberto J. Mora
Former General Counsel, U.S. Department of the Navy
Alberto J. Mora is the Vice President and General Counsel for the International Department of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. From 2001 to 2005, Mora was the General Counsel of the U.S. Department of the Navy. He reported to the Secretary of the Navy and, on occasion, served as Acting Secretary. During his tenure at the Department of the Navy, Mora consistently opposed what he viewed as unlawful policies authorizing cruelty toward prisoners in U.S. custody. In May 2006, the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation awarded Mora its Profile in Courage Award in recognition of his opposition to policies permitting abuse.
Elisa Massimino
A Washington Director,
Human Rights First
Elisa Massimino, who has been with Human Rights First for 15 years, is a national authority on human rights law and policy, and is our chief advocacy strategist in Washington, D.C. Massimino has taught courses on human rights law and policy at the George Washington University School of Law and the University of Virginia School of Law. She regularly testifies before Congress, writes extensively for legal and popular publications, and appears as a media spokesperson on human rights issues.
Joe DugboHuman Rights First Asylum Client
Joe Dugbo was a labor leader in Liberia. He came to the United States in July 2004 and sought asylum through Human Rights First’s Refugee Protection Program. Dugbo was represented in his asylum claim by Antonio Perez-Marques, Keren Tal and Elena Tsaneva at Davis Polk & Wardwell. Dugbo currently works at the International Rescue Committee in New York where he is the Shipping and Receiving Coordinator.
Dulcerito Musical performance
Members of Dulcerito met while performing with the 12 member salsa band Sonido Unidad. The musicians are vocalist Tony G, trumpeter Elizabeth Meeker, guitarist Harlan Brothers, bassist Jeff Fuller, and percussionists Asher Delerme and Jenaro Garcia. Members come from Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and New York City, and have performed or recorded with artists such as Sonora Poncena, Willie Rosario, and El Gran Combo, Dizzy Gillespie, Randy Brecker, and Paquito D’Rivera. They have studied music and dance in Ghana, Brazil, the United States and the Caribbean.