Board of Directors

View profiles of the AIUSA Board members.

Leading the organization – and the movement

Our elected Board of Directors develops a clear vision for the organization through policies that set goals and priorities. The Board provides stewardship for the organization; establishes appropriate and constructive working relationships with staff; and ensures the financial health of the organization through fiscal oversight and fundraising. 

contact the board
View the National Advisory Council
Aaron Fellmeth

Aaron Fellmeth

Board Member

Aaron Fellmeth is the Dennis S. Karjala Professor of Law, Science and Technology at the Arizona State University College of…

Alexandra Durbak, Board Chair

Alexandra Durbak

Board Chair

Alexandra is a long-time member of Amnesty International, having first gotten involved with AIUSA in high school. She has held…

Ali Arab

Board Member

Ali Arab is an Associate Professor in the Mathematics and Statistics Department of Georgetown University. He received a BS in…

Christopher T. Foley

Christopher T. Foley

Deputy Secretary

Christopher T. Foley, an enrolled citizen of the Cherokee Nation, is a senior attorney with the Indian Law Resource Center…

David Cheng-Kai Yu

David Cheng-Kai Yu

Board Deputy Treasurer

David Yu is an advocate for human dignity, justice and equality, specializing in non-profit fundraising, event planning, member mobilization, organizational…

Deirdre Stieglitz

Deirdre Stieglitz

Board Secretary

I’m proud to serve as Secretary of the Board for this 2022-2023 term.  I aim to improve communication and relationships…

Leonard Torrealba

Leonard Torrealba

Board Member

Leonard Torrealba is a Judge for the Los Angeles County Superior Court . He was appointed to the position by…

Marcel Kitissou

Board Member

Marcel Kitissou is Regional Scholar Affiliate with Cornell Institute for African Development. He serves as Adjunct Professor in the Africana Studies…

Matthew Kennis

Matt Kennis

Board Treasurer

Matthew Kennis is a seasoned advocate and strategist with over 17 years of experience in operational and strategic leadership roles.…

Penelope Halkiadakis

Penelope Halkiadakis

Board Vice Chair

Penelope Halkiadakis (she/her) is a dual degree MD/MPH candidate, studying medicine and public health, at Case Western Reserve University School…

Phyllis Pautrat, LCSW

Phyl Pautrat

Board Member

Phyllis Pautrat is a licensed clinical social worker who worked over twenty five years as a psychotherapist and outpatient director…

Rasha Abdel Latif

Board Member

Rasha is a catalyst for change and is driven by making a difference through advocating for human rights issues and…

Rick Halperin

Rick Halperin

Board Member

Dr. Rick Halperin started teaching in 1985 in the William P. Clements Department of History at SMU, and began teaching…

Robyn Linde

Robyn Linde

Board Member

Robyn is a professor of political science and the director of the International Nongovernmental Organizations Studies program at Rhode Island…

Vibha Venkatesha

Vibha Venkatesha

Board Member at Large

Vibha Venkatesha (she/her) was first introduced to Amnesty while living in Bangalore, India and has been involved with Amnesty USA…