Kyla Bernal

Stella Clark is a senior student of economics at Fordham University with an interest in the intersection of quantitative research and legal policy. She is passionate about social justice and using law and economics to promote equity and promote human rights. In the future, she hopes to pursue a legal career and advocate for the rights of marginalized communities. 

My name is Amiera Brown. I am a double major in Criminal Justice and Psychology at Rutgers University‑New Brunswick. Driven to understand how policies, laws, neurological processes, and social structures shape the world, I am passionate about justice reform. I believe that informing and engaging the public—especially young people—is essential for meaningful change within our systems.

Matt Pang is a recent graduate of Cornell University with a BS in Policy Analysis and Management (PAM). His background includes diverse experiences in a startup, public sector consulting, and policy research. He maintains a deep love for global policy and hopes to bring that same passion directly to his work at the Veloso Justice Center. In his free time, he enjoys playing tennis, reading, and dropping niche movie references into conversations.

My name is Elijah Dawson and I am a recent graduate from George Mason University with a BA in Government & International Politics. As someone who wants to make a meaningful difference with their work, I feel that this is a great opportunity to do so.  Through this internship, I hope to grow my research and advocacy skills to contribute to the mission of the Veloso Justice Center. 

My name is Kacie Matthews, and I’m majoring in Political Science, and minoring in Economics at Baruch College! I’m very passionate about equality, and advocacy here and around the world. I’m looking for the opportunity to make change, and can’t wait to work with the Veloso Justice Center.

My name is Lily Shanker! I’m a rising sophomore at New York University, double majoring in political science and history with a minor in social cultural analysis. Throughout my life, my goal has always been to represent the silenced and empower the erased. As I work towards my law degree to become a human rights advocate, I look forward to learning and contributing to such an influential initiative as the Veloso Justice Project. 

Born in Houston, Texas, raised in Baku, Azerbaijan, by immigrant parents, and living both in Los Angeles and now Washington, D.C. My background influenced my goals of graduating as a political science major and a criminal justice minor from George Washington, as well as my aspiration to become a lawyer. This opportunity is a steppingstone in my journey, where I can both learn from and contribute. 

James Kang is a political science student at Binghamton University with experience in policy research and community-based advocacy. He is passionate about advancing access to justice and supporting. research efforts that serve and empower marginalized communities. 

Nabeeha Ilyas is a student of Homeland Security and Intelligence with a strong background in public policy, advocacy, and research. She is passionate about justice reform and international law, with experience across legal, academic, and community spaces. She has studied in four countries, gaining a global perspective on justice and governance.

My name is Yilin (Joey) Chi. I recently earned a BA in Law and Society from the University of Washington. This fall, I will begin a Master’s in Quantitative Methods in the Social Sciences at Columbia University. I am excited to join the Veloso Justice Center to conduct research on immigration, labor, and anti-trafficking laws. Committed to global justice, I hope to contribute meaningfully to this work. 

My name is Francesca Tucci--Haack, and I am a sophomore majoring in finance at Fordham University. Originally from France, I am excited to join the Veloso Justice Center as a summer intern to develop my research skills. I look forward to contributing to meaningful work that promotes equity and access to justice, while deepening my understanding of the nonprofit and legal sectors through my strong interest policy. 

My name is Tasmia Chowdhury, and I am a rising senior at Stony Brook University with a Double Major in Political Science and Sociology with a minor in Globalization and International Relations. I am passionate about immigration policies and human rights advocacy, and look forward to the opportunity to make positive change. I am eager to make the best of this opportunity and help Veloso Justice Center move forward! 

My name is Brianna Marichal and I am a recent graduate from Vassar College with a degree in Political Science with a minor in Chinese. I am passionate about doing work that makes a difference, with goals to pursue a law degree to advocate for human rights and support marginalized communities on an international scale. I am excited to work with the Veloso Justice Center and support their important mission. 

I chose to join the Veloso Justice Center as a Research and Policy Intern because, as a pre-law student and the daughter of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), I am deeply committed to the advocacy of human rights, the welfare of OFWs, and the pursuit of social justice. These issues resonate with me on a personal level and drive my passion to contribute meaningfully to the cause.

Hello, my name is Amelia Andrea Ramirez & I am a rising senior and returning policy & research intern at Veloso Justice Center for the Fall. Previously with the team, I’ve conducted research to help produce policy recommendations to the Indonesian government to advocate for the case of Mary Jane Veloso, as well as working on advocacy for OFW’s and their rights across the seas. I’m excited to be back and bring my passion for research to this project, and to enhance my capabilities with the team over the course of the internship period.