Robert T. Coulter, Executive Director
Robert, a member of the
Citizen Potawatomi Nation, founded the Center in 1978. He is an attorney with
more than 40 years of experience in the field of Indian law and author of many
articles in the field of Indian law and human rights. He received his
bachelor’s degree from Williams College and a law degree from Columbia
University.
Armstrong A. Wiggins, Director of the Washington, D.C. Office
Armstrong is a Miskito
Indian from Nicaragua. He has been with the Center since 1981 and has over 35
years of experience in the field of human rights. Armstrong was a political
prisoner in Nicaragua during both the Somoza and Sandinista regimes because of
his activism and leadership in promoting human rights. He directs the Washington,
D.C. office and much of the international human rights work of the Center,
managing the Mexico and Central and South America Program.
Leonardo Crippa, Senior Attorney
Leonardo, a Kolla Indian
from Jujuy, Argentina, joined the Center’s Washington, D.C. office in 2005. He
received his law degree from Universidad Nacional de Tucumán in Argentina and a
Master of Law degree from American University Washington College of Law in
2008. He previously worked at the Center for Justice and International Law on human
rights cases within the Inter-American system.
Hester M. Dillon, Director of Development
Hester, a member of the
Cherokee Nation, joined the Center in April 2012. She received bachelors’
degrees in Native American Studies and English from the University of Montana,
and a law degree from the University of Arizona. After graduating from law
school in 2005, she worked for and with tribal governments and individuals on
fund raising to strengthen Native communities and as an attorney for the
Keepseagle settlement.
Chris Foley, Attorney
Chris, a citizen of the
Cherokee Nation, is the newest member of the Center staff, joining the Montana
office in December 2013. Originally from Oregon, he graduated from Swarthmore
College and earned his J.D. in 2011 from Temple University’s Beasley School of
Law.
Karla General, Attorney
Karla (Kawenniiostha)
joined the Center in 2010 and works in the Washington, D.C. office. Karla is
deer clan and a citizen of the Mohawk Nation from northern New York. She earned
her J.D. and master’s degree in Sociology from Syracuse University College of
Law and the Maxwell School in May 2010.
Gretchen Gordon, Attorney
Gretchen joined the
Center's D.C. office in 2012. She has a J.D. and a master’s degree in Latin
American Studies from the University of California, Berkeley. Gretchen resigned
from the Center in November 2013. She now coordinates a global coalition for
the International Accountability Project to push development finance
institutions to respect human rights.
Lisa Myaya, Communications & Development Assistant
Lisa joined the Center’s
Montana office in 2007. She works on communications and development projects
and assists with office administration. She has more than 15 years of
experience in the nonprofit sector, primarily with resource conservation,
education, and arts organizations.
Fran Owens, Director of Finance & Administration
Fran joined the Center’s
Montana office in January 2012 and is responsible for the Center’s
administrative and financial matters. She received her A.S. in Computer Science
and Accounting from Keystone College, her B.S. in Accounting from Wilkes
University, and her M.B.A. in Finance from the University of Scranton.
Marilyn Richardson, Assistant to the Director
Marilyn, a member of the
Chippewa Tribe, joined the Center’s Montana office in 1996. She works closely
with the development staff, serves as the assistant to the Board of Directors,
and coordinates direct mail and special events.
Ginny Underwood, Director of Communications
Ginny, a member of the Comanche Nation, joined the Center in 2009. She
has more than 20 years of experience in the field of communications with a
specialty in working with non-profits to develop and implement strategic
communication plans. She most recently served as Executive Director of Programs
and Strategic Initiatives for the communication arm of The United Methodist
Church. She received her B.A. in Mass Communications from Oklahoma City
University.
Lorena Vaca, Program Assistant
Lorena, originally from
Ecuador, joined the Washington, D.C. office in 2010. She has worked extensively
with indigenous peoples in South America, gaining strong field experience
working on climate issues in Guyana. She holds a B.A. in Government and
International Politics from George Mason University.
Jana L. Walker, Senior Attorney
Jana, a citizen of the
Cherokee Nation (Cherokee/Loyal Shawnee/Delaware), joined the Center’s Montana
office in 2011. Prior to joining the Center, she spent more than 24 years in
private practice working with tribes and tribal entities in the field of Indian
law. Jana received her bachelor’s degree in Nursing from the University of
Oklahoma and J.D. from the University of New Mexico School of Law.
2013 Interns & Volunteers
Blythe Brauer
Rachael DeMarce
Chris Foley - John D.B. Lewis Fellow
Whitney Angell Leonard - Ford Fellow
Ashlee Pinto - Ford Fellow
Jason Sanders - Terrence A. Sidley Fellow
Veronica Willeto - Barbara L. Anthony Fellow
