(San Antonio, Texas) — RAICES, the pioneering migrant justice organization marking its 35th anniversary this month, is entering a new era led by two distinguished women who have dedicated their careers to advancing social justice in the not-for-profit sector. The RAICES Board of Directors has named Vice President of Legal Services Mayra Jimenez as Interim Chief Programs Officer and Chief Development Officer Liz Dunn as Interim Chief Operating Officer. Together, they will advance RAICES’ mission as a national search begins for the organization’s next Chief Executive Officer.
They succeed former RAICES President and CEO Jonathan Ryan, who recently completed his tenure guiding the organization during a period of transition and transformation. Today, RAICES has a powerful team of approximately 300 direct legal and social services providers and advocates on the frontlines of the fight for migrant rights.
Mayra and Liz will guide RAICES in furtherance of its mission to defend the rights of immigrants and refugees; empower individuals, families and communities; and advocate for liberty and justice. A graduate of St. Mary’s University School of Law (JD), Mayra brings a decade of experience as an immigration attorney championing RAICES clients in detention and at the border. Liz joined RAICES in 2018 following the record-breaking $20 million Facebook fundraising campaign at the height of family separation under the “Zero Tolerance” policy. A graduate of the LSU E.J. Ourso College of Business (MPA), her career includes in-house and consultancy development and operations oversight for organizations including The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, Operation Smile, Ochsner Health, and The Child Mind Institute.
RAICES provides legal and social services to disenfranchised immigrants and refugees, including families and unaccompanied children, and pairs direct client service with impact litigation and advocacy focused on expanding permanent protections for immigrants and changing the narrative around immigration in the U.S. The 501(c3) not-for-profit is headquartered in San Antonio, with offices in Austin, Corpus Christi, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, and Laredo. Each year, RAICES opens more than 10,000 affirmative and defensive direct representation cases, including social services case management; provides Know Your Rights presentations and legal intakes in 15 shelters and select emergency facilities for unaccompanied children; and resettles more than 200 refugee parents and children, including Afghan Special Immigrant Visa holders. For more information, please visit www.raicestexas.org.
Contact:
Jessica Ortiz
[email protected]
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