Amnesty International Executive and Leadership Team

Theresa Behnan, the Co-President & Co-Founder, Maine Chapter (East) at Amnesty International, directs regional advocacy efforts and spearheads grassroots mobilization within the eastern Maine sector. This leadership position involves cultivating strategic partnerships with local community organizations to amplify human rights messaging and drive engagement. Behnan oversees the execution of localized campaigns, ensuring alignment with Amnesty International's global mission to combat grave human rights abuses. The role demands meticulous planning for outreach events and volunteer coordination, fostering a robust network dedicated to justice and accountability. By developing and implementing chapter-specific initiatives, Theresa Behnan ensures the organization's impact resonates deeply within the designated geographic area, translating global objectives into tangible local action and support for victims.

Amanda Roach, the Interim President and Historian at Amnesty International, provides critical leadership during transitional periods while preserving the organization's historical context and impact. This dual role involves guiding strategic decision-making for the chapter's operations and ensuring continuity of mission-critical activities. Roach meticulously documents the organization's achievements, challenges, and evolving advocacy strategies, creating a valuable archive for future reference and learning. The historian aspect ensures that past successes and lessons learned inform present and future actions, maintaining institutional memory. Roach's oversight of interim leadership functions ensures that Amnesty International's core work in researching and acting against human rights abuses remains uninterrupted. This unique position allows Amanda Roach to shape immediate organizational direction while safeguarding its legacy.

Leah Velaga, the Campus President at Amnesty International, directs student-led initiatives focused on human rights advocacy and education within academic institutions. This leadership role involves mobilizing student volunteers, organizing awareness campaigns, and coordinating campus events that promote Amnesty International's mission. Velaga fosters a strong connection between campus activities and the organization's broader goals of preventing human rights abuses and demanding justice. The position requires developing educational materials and workshops to inform students about critical human rights issues and empower them to take action. By cultivating a network of engaged student activists, Leah Velaga ensures the continuous development of future human rights defenders and strengthens the organization's presence in educational environments, driving awareness and action among young leaders.

Cheikh Kama, the President at Amnesty International, provides overarching strategic direction and leadership for the organization's global human rights initiatives. This executive role involves guiding the development and implementation of policies aimed at preventing and ending grave abuses of human rights worldwide. Kama oversees the organization's extensive research operations, ensuring the integrity and impact of findings that expose human rights violations. The position demands fostering strong relationships with international bodies, governments, and civil society partners to advocate for justice and accountability for victims. By championing the organization's core values, Cheikh Kama drives efforts to protect individuals whose rights have been violated and promotes a global culture of respect for human dignity, ensuring Amnesty International remains at the forefront of the human rights movement.

Venus Dastidar, the President at Amnesty International, spearheads critical operational strategies and resource management to support the organization's global mission. This leadership capacity focuses on ensuring the efficient and effective execution of programs designed to combat human rights abuses and secure justice for victims. Dastidar oversees the allocation of resources, optimizing financial and human capital to maximize the impact of research and advocacy efforts. The role involves collaborating with other leaders to refine operational frameworks and enhance the organization's capacity to respond to emerging human rights crises. By driving operational excellence, Venus Dastidar ensures that Amnesty International can sustain its vital work, providing essential support and advocacy for individuals whose rights have been violated and demanding accountability from perpetrators.

Jean Saint-Cyr, the External Affairs lead at Amnesty International, manages and enhances the organization's public profile and stakeholder relationships. This critical function involves developing and executing communication strategies that effectively convey Amnesty International's research findings and advocacy priorities to a global audience. Saint-Cyr oversees media relations, public outreach programs, and digital engagement initiatives designed to raise awareness and mobilize support for human rights. The role requires cultivating strong connections with governments, intergovernmental bodies, and other non-governmental organizations to foster collaboration and advance the human rights agenda. By strategically positioning Amnesty International, Jean Saint-Cyr ensures that the organization's voice is heard and its impact amplified on the international stage, driving demand for justice and accountability for human rights violations.