Monica Sanders is Managing Director of the Georgetown Environmental Justice Program.
She holds a faculty appointment at the Georgetown University Law Center, where she teaches an experiential learning course in Disaster Law. Professor Sanders is also a Senior Fellow at Tulane University’s Disaster Resilience Leadership Academy. Previously, she created and taught a disaster law course on at the Washington and Lee University School of Law.
Professor Sanders served as Senior Legal Advisor for International Response and Programs at the American Red Cross, focusing on international disaster response and humanitarian assistance principles. Earlier in her career, she was a Senior Committee Counsel for both the House of Representatives and Senate Committees on Homeland Security.
Education
Master of Laws (LL.M.)
University of London
London, UK, 2011
International Business Law
Juris Doctor (J.D.)
The Catholic University of America
Washington, D.C., 2008
Comparative and International Law
Post – JD Fellowship / Certificate
Harvard Law School
Cambridge, MA, 2008
Comparative and International Law
Certificate
Universidad de Costa Rica
San José, Costa Rica, 2007
International Commercial Arbitration
Latin American Legal Systems
Certificate
Uniwersytet Jagiellonski Krakowie
Kraków, Poland, 2006
Law of the European Union
International Business and Trade Law
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) & Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
The University of Miami
Coral Gables, Florida, 1998
Communications (Broadcast Journalism, Spanish, and Economics)
Curriculum Vitae
Georgetown University
Managing Director, Professor
2021 – Present
Washington, DC
Managing Director, Georgetown Environmental Justice Program. 2020 Tropaia Outstanding Faculty Award Recipient. Teach: LAW 1542, Law, Policy and Practice of Disasters and Complex Emergencies, Spring 2021, 2021, MPDM-700-140, Hazard Economics, Spring, Summer 2020. Teach MPEM-501-01 Theory Regional Collaboration and Framework (School of Continuing Studies, Emergency, and Disaster Management) Fall 2019, 2020
University of Delaware
Associate Professor
2019 – 2021
Newark, DE
Designed and taught a special topics course, SOCI 467 “Katrina: 15 Years Later,” Spring 2020. Designed a new course, SOCI 367 “Law, Policy, and Society,” introduced for Fall 2020, using inclusive course design concepts. Elevated a university program from department to college level initiative, developed sustainable budget and added four partners within first six months of directorship. Oversaw communications and marketing strategy and rebranding.
School of the New York Times Summer Academy
Professor
2019 – Present
Washington, D.C.
Instructor at the School of the New York Times, D.C. Summer Academy. I taught Inside the Hill: Government and Politics (summer 2019), as well as International Relations and Development (summer 2020)
I2 (Internet Infrastructure) Coalition
Policy Director
2018 – 2019
Washington, D.C.
Policy Director for Internet Infrastructure coalition, designed advocacy and legislative strategy, organized annual policy fly-in. Advised organizational leadership and executive board on Internet policy and legal issues.
The British-American Project (BAP)
Fellow
2017 – Present
London, UK
The British-American Project is a transatlantic fellowship comprising a broad spectrum of occupations, backgrounds and political views.
Small Business Administration
Attorney – Puerto Rico Response
2017 – 2018
Washington, D.C.
Served as counsel on a team assisting with the recovery of Puerto Rican communities and businesses impacted by Hurricane Maria. Conducted legal reviews and opinions, case management, and direct client assistance for a portfolio of several hundred disaster victims for loans valuing more than $1M.
Washington & Lee University
Coordinator & Professor of Practice
2015 – 2018
Lexington, VA
Designed and taught Disaster Law and Policy (formerly numbered Law 303P), a course on legal issues surrounding disasters and humanitarian interventions. Evaluated students on a wide variety of topics, including governance, legal instruments in disaster law, climate change, and resilience. Taught LAW 533: D.C. Externship and Professional Conduct.
International Judicial Relations Committee
Management Analyst & Attorney
2015 – 2017
Washington, D.C.
Organized and arranged annual meetings, two international briefings, and technical assistance trips for an international committee focused on judicial exchange programs. Developed and hosted discussions on Rule of Law and governance as well as a diverse range of sub-issues, including trafficking, corruption, and legal reform. Provided traveling judges and stakeholders for UNDP, the Department of State, and the Department of Justice with counsel and advice regarding international relations and law.
American Red Cross
Senior Legal Advisor
2013 – 2015
Washington, D.C.
Counsel and oversight for and programs delivering disaster aid, and focused on response, recovery, disaster risk reduction, and response to complex emergencies. Prepared and released positions on environmental and urban emergencies as well as UNFCC and NATO security.
Senior Policy & Legal Advisor
2013 – 2014
Washington, D.C.
Served as National Society Legal Advisor for all issues related to international humanitarian and disaster law. Drafted resolutions and statements of principles in alignment with the Red Cross’ objectives and goals. Constructed humanitarian assistance frameworks.
United States Congress
Senior Cousel, House & Senate Committees on Homeland Security
2009 – 2013
Washington, D.C.
Served as Senior Counsel on both House and Senate Committees on Homeland Security. Drafted first ever Congressional committee report on regulations and their impact on national security. Panelist and contributor to NATO, EU and UN workshops on international law. Developed and presented international security and competition law workshop to US- EU delegates. Drafted and successfully passed legislation on credentialing, chemical security, and Merida Initiative to pass. Conducted hearings and counseled Senator on critical infrastructure, border security and humanitarian issues.
Publications & Media
“COVID-19, Black Women and Why Equitable Recovery Matters”
“Moving Beyond Empowering the ‘Vulnerable’ to Deliver Value and Outcomes in Disaster Legal Services to the Marginalized”
2021. Sole author of one chapter. Accepted for publication in the American Bar Association Disaster Law Textbook.
“The need for cultural competence in disaster and humanitarian response.”
2020. Encyclopedia on Homeland Security, currently under review for 2020 inaugural publication.
“Amplify This!”
2020. Co-Host. A Spotify listed and ranked podcast on equity and inclusion in Emergency Management. https://open.spotify.com/show/4HS2jammAdPFGAdqZMBOOl
Natural disaster prep during Covid-19 on Coast Live
September 2020. TV Interview with WTKR. https://www.wtkr.com/coast-live/natural-disaster-prep-during-covid-19-on-coast-live
Tear Gas is Way More Dangerous Than Police Let On – Especially During the Coronavirus Pandemic.
2020, June 4. Interview, ProPublica. https://www.propublica.org/article/tear-gas-is-way-more-dangerous-than-police-let-on-especially-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic
Featured Speaker
2020. “Building Resilience through Public Private Partnership” Conference. Equity in Emergency Management https://www.uschamberfoundation.org/event/9th-annual-building-resilience-through-private-public-partnerships-conference#agenda
Addressing Disaster Response and Recovery in Marginalized Communities
March 2020. MYD Global Interview. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ejaY2082-Y&feature=share
“Professional Roles of the Practicing Attorney”
March 2020. Texas A&M Law School Course Guest Speaker.
“Things We Don’t Say and People We Don’t See”
2019. A LinkedIn blog written in response to Hurricane Dorian in the Bahamas and the parallels to the inequities revealed in the Hurricane Katrina response and recovery.
“NSF Convergence Accelerator: Symposium on Big Data and AI-Driven Disaster Management for Planning, Response, Recovery, and Resiliency”
December 2019. University of South Carolina
“The Changing Face of Emergency Management”
November 2019. Conference presentation at IAEM/IDIEM Convening at Savannah State University, Savannah, GA.
“An Open Inclusive Internet is a Global Economic Driver.”
2018. Internet Infrastructure Coalition. https://www.i2coalition.com/an-open- inclusive-internet-is-a-global-economic-driver/ . Washington, DC.
Gallery
