We’re a diverse, passionate group of nomads. As a team we have expertise in everything from information activism to responsible data to inclusive facilitation.
Gillian is passionate about locally-owned change. She helps organisations and people achieve results that matter to them. Her work with nonprofits, educational institutions, philanthropy, and government agencies weaves together organisational leadership and development during inflection points. She has started and led nonprofits that support the people who spark change and seek outcomes that make their communities more just and equitable places. Gillian was also a bilingual teacher and a principal in the South Bronx in New York City. She’s a storyteller, a bit of a prankster, and a committed meanderer through new places.
Gillian is supporting and leading the team at The Engine Room through a time of transition and is helping them think through and address areas of organisational strategy and development.
Madrid, New York, and Seattle
gillian@theengineroom.org
Julia is an activist with an incurable crush on civil society and humanity at large. Coming from the Hungarian transparency community, she has been an advocate for government openness with a special focus on corruption and a passion for finding out what motivates people on the individual level. Prior to joining the Engine Room, Julia was leading the international work of the Sunlight Foundation. She regularly speaks and writes about the challenges and potential of using technology for social change activism, and when she doesn’t geek out about work, she loves watching her daughter play.
Julia leads on fundraising, strategy and organisational development.
Paola is a cyber-feminist Latina activist and creative thinker. Before joining The Engine Room, she worked as Lead of Poderomedia Foundation’s training program for Latin American journalists and developers; as facilitator of a global community of activists mapping power networks; and as a consultant to nonprofits. She works closely with feminist and social justice activists and technologists, and she contributes actively to the organisational security practitioner and cyber-feminist communities. She has a passion for developing and sustaining healthy, resilient organisations.
Paola oversees team-wide programmatic implementation, designs and implements programmatic strategies and supports the Executive Director.
Santiago
paola@theengineroom.org
Lesedi has a background in computer science and a history of collaborating and working with non-profit organizations. He is passionate about understanding and exploring the links between data, technology, and social change and is always curious about how these intersect across different sectors in civil society. Prior to joining the team, Lesedi co-founded Positive Innovations for the Next Generation, a non-profit that focused on youth, health, and technology in Botswana. He later founded Tau Technology which worked to create scalable and sustainable technology solutions in Africa.
Lesedi leads our engagement with partners based in Sub-Saharan Africa, which includes managing projects that have a strong focus in the region and conducting direct support partnerships with organisations interested in strengthening their tech and data processes.
Gaborone
lesedi@theengineroom.org
Helen is an editor and content developer who likes making complex subjects accessible to a wider audience. She’s worked on a variety of materials related to the internet, data, and society, including guides, learning resources and training curricula. She’s engaged in a variety of content development sprints, and designed and facilitated workshops. Since joining The Engine Room in 2019, her work has included developmental editing, creating editorial processes, and managing research projects.
Helen leads The Engine Room’s communications and editorial work.
Berlin
helen@theengineroom.org
Bárbara is a Brazilian activist and researcher who is interested in exploring how technology and data can help us achieve social justice. She has worked defending the right to public information and transparency, supporting women’s rights and mobilising against racism and online abuse. Bárbara co-founded Minas Programam, an organisation dedicated to sharing knowledge about technology with Black girls and women from São Paulo.
Bárbara leads our engagement with partners based in Latin America, which includes managing projects that have a strong focus in the region and conducting direct support partnerships with organisations interested in strengthening their tech and data processes.
São Paulo
barbara@theengineroom.org
Cathy is interested in the intersection between data, technology and humanity. Prior to joining the Engine Room, Cathy worked at GitLab Inc. and Keystone Accountability as a data analyst. She has led and supported projects on a range of issues, from youth employment focused initiatives to rule of law and international health. In her spare time, she enjoys playing capoeira, hoarding books, and saying hello to all the dogs.
Cathy leads on internal technical capacity building and contributes to building partnerships for technology-heavy projects.
New York City
cathy@theengineroom.org
Quito is fascinated with narratives and the stories we tell ourselves about our histories, communities and the possibilities of the future. Prior to the Engine Room, Quito worked in transitional justice and international criminal law, and conducted research at Stanford University, the University of Cambridge and the LSE. She cares deeply about technology in the context of conflict and humanitarian organisations, and the development of a technological environment rooted in human rights.
Quito is part of the Research and Learning team, leading the design and execution of research projects.
London
quito@theengineroom.org
Marwa is a Human Resources enthusiast coming from a multidisciplinary background that ranges from cultural studies, to peacebuilding and gender studies. Prior to joining The Engine Room, she worked with the United States Institute of Peace designing HR policies and leading their MENA personnel portfolio. Marwa cares deeply about social justice, alternative approaches to managing work environments, and systemic equity.
Marwa designs and oversees HR processes to ensure they are effective, efficient and in line with our organisational values.
Tunis, Tunisia
marwa@theengineroom.org
Olivia is passionate about issues related to technology, surveillance, and the impact of AI on marginalised communities. Prior to joining The Engine Room, she was a research consultant with the Immigrant Defense Project, working on their Surveillance, Technology, and Immigration Policing Project. She holds a masters degree in Migration Studies and has supported projects at non-profits and universities. She enjoys visiting exhibits, reading fiction, and going on picnics.
Olivia works with the Research, Tech and Engagement Teams to support the implementation of projects.
Washington, D.C.
olivia@theengineroom.org
Jen is a keen organiser who prides herself in smooth processes and team collaboration. Prior to joining The Engine Room, Jen worked in project and production management across creative and media organisations. Outside of work, Jen likes to take cold water dips on the coast or read a great book.
As Project Manager, Jen works closely with project leaders and the Senior Leadership Team to support The Engine Room’s capacity to successfully implement and complete projects.
Bristol, UK
jen[at]theengineroom.org
Jeff is a researcher, organisational developer, and spreadsheet wizard deeply invested in tech for society. Before joining The Engine Room, he co-founded Syrian Archive and Mnemonic where he worked as Director of Operations and Research. Jeff is a fellow and member of the steering committee at the Centre for Internet and Human Rights and holds a PhD from Humboldt-University in Berlin. Outside of work he’s an avid record collector and hiker.
At The Engine Room, Jeff oversees organisation-wide research design and implementation. He connects the work of research to our mission and brings a researcher’s eye to other projects in the organisation.
Brian is a technologist with a background in Mathematics and Computer Science. Prior to joining the Engine Room, he was part of the inaugural cohort of the Tech and Society Fellowship at Mozilla Foundation where he focused on disinformation, advancing cybersecurity capacity building and bringing his expertise in safeguarding digital assets and mitigating security threats to civil society organisations. He also co-founded Boltech Consultancy to empower vulnerable CSOs with the knowledge, tools and support necessary to safeguard their data, systems and networks against cyber threats. In his spare time, he enjoys gaming, hiking and attending live music performances.
Brian is responsible for ensuring the smooth, secure and sustainable functioning of The Engine Room’s tech ecosystem, supporting partner-facing projects with significant technology and data components, and taking forward improvement processes to increase our technical resilience.