Education
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MASTER OF LAWS LL.M.
University of London London, UK, 2011 International Business Law
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POST – JD FELLOWSHIP CERTIFICATE
Harvard Law School Cambridge, MA, 2008 Comparative and International Law
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CERTIFICATE Uniwersytet
Uniwersytet Jagiellonski Krakowie Kraków, Poland, 2006 Law of the European Union International Business and Trade Law
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JURIS DOCTOR J.D
The Catholic University of America Washington, D.C., 2008 Comparative and International Law
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CERTIFICATE Universidad
Universidad de Costa Rica San José, Costa Rica, 2007 International Commercial Arbitration Latin American Legal Systems
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BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (B.S.) & BACHELOR OF ARTS B.A
The University of Miami Coral Gables, Florida, 1998 Communications (Broadcast Journalism, Spanish, and Economics)
Career Highlights
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2022- Present
Founder, CEO The Undivide Project Global-Washington, D.C.
Using digital tools to address the intersection between the digital divide and climate injustice and how it impacts vulnerable communities. Successes include – environmental and racial justice StoryMap campaign, digital capacity building in urban community, development of a multi-hazard risk model for divested communities.
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2023- Present
Founder, President Bonne Terre Consulting Global - Washington, D.C.
Services include: legislative strategy or “The Art Of The Ask”, climate, SDG and ESG programming, justice capacity building under our series “Climat X JEDI”. Regulatory, legal system and frameworks consultations.
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2019 – Present
Georgetown University Adjunct Professor of Law-Washington, DC.
Adjunct Professor of Law, 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.
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2013 – 2015
American Red Cross Senior Legal Advisor-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.
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2009 – 2013
United States Congress Senior Cousel, House & Senate Committees on Homeland Security-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.
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2023- Present
Policy Entrepreneurship Fellow, Federation of American Scientists Attorney – Puerto Rico Response
Prior Tech and Racial Justice Accelerator role resulted in a disaster and justice policy memo. Current project focuses on policies to inspire tech and climate ready work options for all.
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2017 – 2018
Small Business Administration Attorney – Puerto Rico Response-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.
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2019 – 2021
University Of Delaware Associate Professor-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.
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2019 – 2021
School Of The New York Times Summer Academy Professor-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).
Alongside my career achievements, I am also the founder of two initiatives aimed at creating sustainable, community-driven change: