Natalie Landau
President
Hometown: Johannesburg, South Africa
Program/Year: J.D./M.A., 2024
“As an emigrant from South Africa, I became interested in international law when I studied the measures implemented post-Apartheid. While transitional justice is undeniably important following conflict, the creation and adherence to laws are crucial to the sustainability and longevity of peace. My areas of interest include preventing and responding to mass atrocities, sexual and gender-based violence, corporate accountability for human rights and IHL violations, and emerging technologies and human rights implications.”
Amal Rass
Vice President
Hometown: Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
Program/Year: J.D., 2025
“I first became interested in international law as a high schooler watching through the news and social media as the Syrian revolution unfolded into the conflict it is today. My interests began with human rights law and have grown over the years to include international criminal law and transitional justice. My hope with earning my J.D. is to help victims of human rights violations access justice in the ways most meaningful to them, whether that be through the courts, through truth commissions, or through reparations programs.”
Deanna Alsbeti
Director of Alumni & External Relations
Hometown: Homs, Syria
Program/Year: J.D., 2025
“Having been intimately impacted by the effects of the Syrian war at a young age, I developed an intimate awareness of the systemic human rights infringements perpetuated by authoritarian regimes. My exposure to varied legal frameworks and cultural customs during my time in the Middle East fueled my curiosity about the global application of laws and treaties to safeguard and elevate human rights universally. Thus, my interest in international law is rooted in its capacity for safeguarding human rights and establishing sustainable accountability mechanisms.”
Sindi Connell
Director of Finance
Hometown: San Jose, California
Program/Year: J.D., 2025
“My previous career in military intelligence and experience serving in combat led me to law school to pivot into international criminal law.”
Molly Armstrong
Director of External Communication
Hometown: Portland, Oregon
Program/Year: J.D./M.A., 2025
“Throughout my high school and undergraduate years in Oregon, my academic journey revolved around international politics and political theory. By immersing myself in subjects like human rights, international relations theories, and conflict dispute resolution, I found my fascination growing with the intricate dynamics of global interactions among nations. My areas of interest include legal remedies for victims of human rights violations, asylum and refugee law, and cultivating treaties focused on humanitarian needs.”
Rashika Pedris
Director of Events, Academic & Social Affairs
Hometown: Colombo, Sri Lanka/Katy, Texas
Program/Year: J.D., 2024
“I am pursuing a career in international human rights and humanitarian law with an emphasis on gender-based violence and LGBTQ issues. As a first generation immigrant from Sri Lanka, I am keenly aware of how war and conflict can affect people and hope to contribute to sustainable peace building and transitional justice. My interest in international criminal law stems from my desire to hold perpetrators of human right violations accountable for their actions.”
Jennifer Dowdy
Director of Events, Conference Division
Hometown: Williamsport, Pennsylvania
Program/Year: J.D., 2025
“My interest in international law stems from my love for cross-cultural interactions and my passion for human rights. My undergraduate studies focused on international relations and French, specifically post-conflict resolution and humanitarian aid. With my J.D., I intend to work in international criminal law to bolster human rights globally. I am particularly interested in the intersections of conflict, human rights, and gender.”
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