Who We Are
The Women's Justice Initiative is a Guatemala-based organization dedicated to combating gender inequality and ending violence against indigenous girls and women in rural communities.
Our Mission
The Women’s Justice Initiative improves the lives of indigenous Guatemalan women and girls through education, access to legal services and gender-based violence prevention.
Our Vision
WJI envisions a Guatemala in which women and girls:
- Are active leaders in their communities;
- Have access to culturally respectful legal services;
- Have knowledge of their legal rights and can safely assert these rights; and
- Are free from gender-based violence.
Our Approach
WJI is building a more equitable world for Maya women and girls by combating gender inequality and violence against women and girls. Through an innovative community-based approach, WJI is improving the lives of women and girls by increasing their access to justice and improving their ability to exercise their rights to live free from violence.
WJI believes that community-based responses are critical to successfully combating gender-based violence and gender inequality in Guatemala. Without support from their communities, women and girls face significant obstacles in exercising their rights to live free from violece. In response, WJI works closely with key community leaders and stakeholders to build a response to inequality and violence that is developed by and for their communities.
Kate Flatley
Executive Director
As the Women's Justice Initiative's Executive Director and Founder, Kate Flatley oversees all programs, fundraising, and strategic planning for the organization.
Kate Flatley
Executive Director
As the Women’s Justice Initiative’s Executive Director and Founder, Kate Flatley oversees all programs, fundraising, and strategic planning for the organization. Drawing on her knowledge of Guatemala, legal training, and years working for nonprofits, Kate brings extensive experience to the Initiative.
Kate is a lawyer with fifteen years’ experience working for nonprofit organizations, developing and managing projects and conducting research in the fields of human rights, access to justice, education, and public health. Kate has worked on projects in Latin America, Central and Eastern Europe, and the former Soviet Union. Before founding the Women’s Justice Initiative, as a Pfizer-Center for Global Health Scholar, Kate led a health and human rights research project with migrant workers in Guatemala.
Kate is a graduate of Yale University and the University of Virginia School of Law. She is a member of the Virginia State Bar.
Gabriela Palacios
Administrative and Human Resources Director
Gabriela Palacios has a degree in Industrial Psychology with a Master’s in Management and Strategic Development of Human Talent, both from the Rafael Landívar University. She has more than 10 years of experience working in non-profit organizations. She is the Administrative and Human Resources Director for WJI. Her...
Gabriela Palacios
Administrative and Human Resources Director
Gabriela Palacios has a degree in Industrial Psychology with a Master’s in Management and Strategic Development of Human Talent, both from the Rafael Landívar University. She has more than 10 years of experience working in non-profit organizations. She is the Administrative and Human Resources Director for WJI. Her job consists of accompanying the administrative and financial processes and implementing human talent management strategies. She previously worked for organizations such as Fundación Paiz for education and culture, Instituto Centroamericano de Estudios Fiscales, TECHO-Colombia and TECHO-Guatemala. Gabriela has worked together with many communities, community leaders, volunteers and companies with the aim of having a fairer, safer country without corruption and where we are all treated with dignity and respect. For her, working at WJI means that: being able to work alongside women, girls and adolescents who seek to get ahead and have the same opportunities, but above all who must live in spaces free of violence. Her mission is to create a space of equity, equal opportunities, order and processes, ensuring the transparency of WJI and making this space the best place to work.
Viviana Patal
Legal Director
Viviana Patal joined WJI in 2013. As WJI’s Legal Director, she is responsible for designing and implementing the Legal Services Program and oversees the organization’s team of lawyers and paralegals.
Viviana Patal
Legal Director
Viviana Patal joined WJI in 2013. As WJI’s Legal Director, she is responsible for designing and implementing the Legal Services Program and oversees the organization’s team of lawyers and paralegals. Viviana provides legal counseling to WJI’s program participants on a range of civil and criminal matters including violence against women and girls, family law, and property rights. Viviana is Maya Kaqchikel and advises WJI’s clients in Kaqchikel, ensuring that women are able to access and navigate the legal system in their native language.
Viviana is a lawyer with extensive experience working in the fields of human rights, women’s rights, criminal law, labor rights, and family law. Viviana holds a Law Degree from the Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala and is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Criminal Law. In 2019 Viviana was chosen to participate in Centroamérica Adelante, a prestigious leadership development program that supports high impact leaders that drive change in Central America.
Elvia Raquec
Programs Director
As the Programs Director for WJI, Elvia Raquec oversees the implementation of the Women’s Rights Education Program, the Adolescent Girls Program, and the Community Advocates Program in partner communities to push for social change in Guatemala.
Elvia Raquec
Programs Director
As the Programs Director for WJI, Elvia Raquec oversees the implementation of the Women’s Rights Education Program, the Adolescent Girls Program, and the Community Advocates Program in partner communities to push for social change in Guatemala. Elvia works closely with the WJI team, local leadership, and families to build support for WJI’s work within these communities.
Before joining WJI, Elvia worked with the Population Council for four years as a mentor with the Abriendo Oportunidades Program. In this position, she supervised the implementation of the program in rural, indigenous communities in Guatemala and traveled internationally to present on the Program at numerous conferences. Elvia has a master’s degree in Social Work from the Universidad Rafael Landivar.
Lidia Ajbal
Facilitator
Lidia joined WJI in March of 2019 as a Facilitator in the Women’s Rights Education Program, working primarily in WJI's partner communities in Tecpán. She is responsible for implementing workshops with the participants to help them understand their rights.
Lidia Ajbal
Facilitator
Lidia joined WJI in March of 2019 as a Facilitator in the Women’s Rights Education Program, working primarily in WJI's partner communities in Tecpán. She is responsible for implementing workshops with the participants to help them understand their rights. She also promotes the women’s personal development by leading skills-building workshops.
Before joining WJI, Lidia worked at the Institute of Nutrition Central America and Panama (INCAP) supporting women and newborn children in rural communities in Tecpán. Lidia is an intercultural, bilingual (Kaqchikel-Spanish) elementary school teacher and is currently studying at the Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala to be a Secondary Education Teacher.
Manfredo Aju
Driver and Concierge
Wingler Manfredo Ajú is a resident of Patzún, Chimaltenango. He joined WJI in February 2022. As a concierge pilot, he is in charge of driving the staff members to the various communities in which WJI works. Manfredo says that he feels fortunate to be part of this team...
Manfredo Aju
Driver and Concierge
Wingler Manfredo Ajú is a resident of Patzún, Chimaltenango. He joined WJI in February 2022. As a concierge pilot, he is in charge of driving the staff members to the various communities in which WJI works. Manfredo says that he feels fortunate to be part of this team because everyone is committed to achieving gender equality.
Eric Knight
Eric Knight is a Senior Trader at Jane Street Capital, a quantitative trading firm headquartered in New York City. Having been with the company for more than 20 years, he has experienced trading a wide range of assets, including ETFs, ADRs, options, and cryptocurrencies. Having a mother who...
Eric Knight
Eric Knight is a Senior Trader at Jane Street Capital, a quantitative trading firm headquartered in New York City. Having been with the company for more than 20 years, he has experienced trading a wide range of assets, including ETFs, ADRs, options, and cryptocurrencies. Having a mother who emigrated from Guatemala as an early adult, he's very drawn to the work of WJI and is looking forward to taking part in continuing their efforts. He lives on Long Island with his wife, daughter, and twin toddlers.
Clara Ferraro
Partner and Head of Investor Relations - Tiger Global Management
Clara is the Co-Head of Investor Relations and Analyst Recruiting at Tiger Global Management, LLC, an investment firm based in New York City. Tiger Global deploys capital globally through its public equity funds and private investment partnerships.
Clara Ferraro
Partner and Head of Investor Relations - Tiger Global Management
Clara is a Partner and Co-Head of Investor Relations at Tiger Global Management, LLC, an investment firm based in New York City. Tiger Global deploys capital globally through its public equity funds and private investment partnerships. Before joining Tiger Global in 2006, Clara was an Investment Banker at Allen & Company, LLC, where she focused on Internet and Media investments. Clara earned a BA in Sociology from Yale University.
Thea Handelman
Tax - Zillow Group
As Tax Counsel at Amazon, Thea Handelman develops tax structures and advises on federal tax aspects of domestic and international mergers and acquisitions.
Thea Handelman
Tax - Zillow Group
As Vice President of Tax at Zillow Group, Thea leads the development and execution of comprehensive tax planning to help the company achieve its business and financial targets. Thea and her team also ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
Before joining Zillow in 2020, Thea was a Tax Director at Amazon overseeing worldwide digital and device tax planning. Before joining Amazon, Thea spent the early part of her career at NBCUniversal and Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle LLP.
Thea earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Yale University, a Juris Doctor from the University of Oregon School of Law, and Master of Laws in Taxation from NYU Law School.
Katie Newman
Partner and Senior Tax Counsel - Apollo Global Management
Katie Newman is Senior Tax Counsel at Apollo Global Management in New York, specializing in tax matters with respect to Apollo’s private equity funds, their investors and their investments worldwide.
Katie Newman
Partner and Senior Tax Counsel - Apollo Global Management
Katie Newman is a Partner and Senior Tax Counsel at Apollo Global Management in New York, specializing in tax matters with respect to Apollo’s private equity funds, their investors and their investments worldwide. Outside of her role as a tax advisor, she is an active member in the Apollo Women Empower (AWE) Network and serves on the Board of Directors of Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance. Prior to joining Apollo in 2010, Katie practiced at the law firm of Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP. Katie graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University and received a JD from Georgetown University Law Center. Katie also serves on the Board of Directors of Chances for Children, a non-profit in The Bronx, New York, which provides clinical intervention services for families with young children to strengthen family bonds, and she serves on the Vestry of Saint Barnabas Church in Greenwich, Connecticut.
Ingrid Camacho
Senior Franchise Manager - PepsiCo
As Senior Franchise Manager of PepsiCo in Guatemala, Ingrid is in charge of the markets in El Salvador and Nicaragua. Ingrid develops and leads the strategy of the beverage business, establishing long-term plans, investment plans, and innovations for the company. Additionally, she leads the relationship with CBC, the...
Ingrid Camacho
Senior Franchise Manager - PepsiCo
As Senior Franchise Manager of PepsiCo in Guatemala, Ingrid is in charge of the markets in El Salvador and Nicaragua. Ingrid develops and leads the strategy of the beverage business, establishing long-term plans, investment plans, and innovations for the company. Additionally, she leads the relationship with CBC, the bottler in the country. Previously she worked in strategy and finance for Latin America at PepsiCo. Before joining PepsiCo in 2006, she worked at Grupo Aval S.A de Colombia. Ingrid supports other NGOs such as Operation Rescue and Safe Passage in Guatemala, focused on improving education for children at risk. Ingrid has studied at the Wharton School and Kellogg University executive schools and graduated in Finance and International Relations from the Universidad Externado de Colombia.
Brian T. Regan
General Partner, Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe
Mr. Regan is a General Partner of Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe (“WCAS”), where he focuses on healthcare investments and is a member of the Firm’s Management Committee.
Brian T. Regan
General Partner, Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe
Mr. Regan is a General Partner of Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe (“WCAS”), where he focuses on healthcare investments and is a member of the Firm’s Management Committee. He serves on the Boards of Directors of US Acute Care Solutions, US Anesthesia Partners, US Radiology Specialists, Springstone and the Health Management Academy. Mr. Regan has also been involved in current and former WCAS investments Asurion, Aptuit, Laurus Labs, Ardent Health Services, Bausch & Lomb, Select Medical, MultiPlan and Ruesch International. Before joining WCAS in 2002, he worked in the investment banking division of Merrill Lynch. Mr. Regan graduated from Yale College.
Gabriela Roca
Founding Partner - QIL+4 Abogados
Gabriela Roca is a founding partner at QIL+4 Abogados, a law firm in Guatemala, where she leads the Energy and Infrastructure practice. She advises associations representing the private sector which in turn provide guidance to investors in matters of Business and Human Rights to standardize the ethical behavior within their organizations and with local stakeholders and communities.
Gabriela Roca
Founding Partner - QIL+4 Abogados
Gabriela Roca is a founding partner at QIL+4 Abogados, a law firm in Guatemala, where she leads the Energy and Infrastructure practice. She advises associations representing the private sector which in turn provide guidance to investors in matters of Business and Human Rights to standardize the ethical behavior within their organizations and with local stakeholders and communities. Recently, she also has been working actively in various associations that work to achieve the implementation of ILO Convention 169 by the Government. She is a founding member and Vice President of the Guatemalan Chapter of the Vance Center Women in the Profession Program (WIP) – Transforma Abogadas en Guate (local name). Gabriela has a Master in Laws (LLM) from the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile and graduated as an attorney at Universidad Rafael Landivar.
Abigail Ford Winkel
Vice Chair for Education, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, New York University School of Medicine
Abigail Ford Winkel (Abby) is an obstetrician-gynecologist in New York City. She is Associate Professor and Vice Chair for Education and Residency Director in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at New York University School of Medicine and an attending physician at Bellevue Hospital which is the oldest public hospital in the country and the flagship of New York City Health + Hospitals.
Abigail Ford Winkel
Vice Chair for Education, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, New York University School of Medicine
Abigail Ford Winkel (Abby) is an obstetrician-gynecologist in New York City. She is Associate Professor and Vice Chair for Education and Residency Director in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at New York University School of Medicine and an attending physician at Bellevue Hospital which is the oldest public hospital in the country and the flagship of New York City Health + Hospitals. A native New Yorker, Abby graduated Yale College with a BA in English Literature and did her medical degree and residency at Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons/New York Presbyterian Hospital. Her academic work focuses on narrative medicine, using literature and reflection to enhance humanism, physician wellness and burnout, and graduate medical education. She lives in the West Village of New York City with her husband Adam and two daughters, Charlotte and Sophie as well as their dog named Cookie. Being involved in WJI is a real pleasure, and a natural extension of her interest in the well-being and rights of women around the world.
Tess Hellgren
Deputy Legal Director at Innovation Law Lab
Tess Hellgren is an attorney and Deputy Legal Director at Innovation Law Lab, where she litigates cases that defend the right to asylum, fight systemic injustice in the immigration courts, and seek to uphold the rights of visa applicants and their families. She also creates legal resources to...
Tess Hellgren
Deputy Legal Director at Innovation Law Lab
Tess Hellgren is an attorney and Deputy Legal Director at Innovation Law Lab, where she litigates cases that defend the right to asylum, fight systemic injustice in the immigration courts, and seek to uphold the rights of visa applicants and their families. She also creates legal resources to support innovative models of massive collaborative representation. Tess is passionate about using legal tools alongside advocacy, technology, and organizing to advance immigrants' rights. Before becoming an attorney, Tess worked as an analyst at RAND Europe and a research associate at the Harvard Kennedy School. She holds a J.D. magna cum laude from Harvard Law School, an M.Sc. in Migration Studies from the University of Oxford, and an A.B. summa cum laude from Harvard University.
María Isabel Mayorga
Executive Director of Fundación Gedeon
For more than 15 years, María Isabel has worked in the non-profit sector, leading organizations to their objectives for political, economic, and social development in Guatemala. She has also worked as an independent consultant at different organizations, helping them align Strategy and Business Processes. As Fundación Gedeón’s Executive...
María Isabel Mayorga
Executive Director of Fundación Gedeon
For more than 15 years, María Isabel has worked in the non-profit sector, leading organizations to their objectives for political, economic, and social development in Guatemala. She has also worked as an independent consultant at different organizations, helping them align Strategy and Business Processes. As Fundación Gedeón's Executive Director, she has been dedicated to the study of the business elite's culture and beliefs and how these impact Guatemala's development. She has volunteered in different Guatemalan nonprofits working to relieve urban poverty. María Isabel is a strong advocate against racism and discrimination and for promoting social justice, especially for women and girls. She loves to travel and tries to make sense of this complicated world, together with her children, Sofia and Jorge, and and her husband, Jorge Antonio. María Isabel holds a degree in Industrial Engineering, an MBA from the Rotterdam School of Management in the Netherlands, and she recently obtained a master's degree in Strategic Studies/Politics from Universidad Rafael Landívar.
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