Staff

June Zeitlin, Executive Director
June Zeitlin joined WEDO as the Executive Director in 1999 and has extensive experience as a women’s rights lawyer, social policy advocate and in intergovernmental relations.  She worked at the Ford Foundation for over a decade as the Director of the Governance and Civil Society Program, Director of the Gender and Institutional Change Project, Deputy Director of the Rights and Social Justice Program and Program Officer for Women’s Rights.  Prior to joining the Ford Foundation, Ms. Zeitlin served as a legislative assistant in Washington, DC for former Congresswoman and WEDO co-founder Bella Abzug.  June began her career at Bedford-Stuyvesant Legal Services in Brooklyn, New York and later worked as a lawyer with the National Women’s Law Center in Washington, DC.  She has a JD from New York University School of Law.

Maria Adams, Office Manager
Maria, who was born in the Republic of Panama, has a Master''s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Panama. Prior to coming to WEDO, she worked for over twenty years as an Assistant Manager for various companies in the Export Department processing Domestic and International Letters of Credit.

Mary Fridley, Director of Development
Mary is a social activist and fundraising professional who has over the last 16 years raised monies in both paid positions and on a pro bono basis for health, cultural, youth development, community development and social change non-profit organizations in New York City.  Mary is also a director with the Castillo Theatre and has produced several educational videos and an award-winning feature film.

Mary Godinho, Technology Administrator
Mary G has a degree in Music and in Theater from Drew University. Alongside WEDO, she has worked with numerous NGO''s and non-profit theaters, including HERE Arts Center, the Flea Theater and NJ Shakespeare Festival, as a Production Manager and Network Administrator. She has worked with ISP''s including Yonkers Network, Austin Computers, Aslan Communications and Technical Artistry in Network and Email Administration, as well as Help Desk Support. Mary was a long-time activist and Hudson County Buddy Coordinator for the Hyacinth AIDS Foundation, and The Actor''s Fund AIDS Initiative.

Rachel Harris, U.S. Climate Change Campaign Coordinator
Rachel graduated from Columbia University with a Master’s degree in Climate and Society.  Throughout her time in graduate school, she primarily focused on climate change and climate variability impacts on health locally, domestically and internationally.  Such work led Rachel to her dedication to vulnerability and adaptation issues in relation to climate change.  Prior to coming to WEDO, she worked with environmental organizations including the World Resources Institute, the International Research Institute for Climate and Society,and the Environmental Law Institute.  Rachel was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana, and has lived in New York City for about 8 years.

Nadia Johnson, Economic and Social Justice Program Coordinator
Nadia has been a social justice activist for over 10 years and brings her advocacy experience in organizing, communications, research and policy analysis to create economic change. Prior to joining WEDO, Nadia''s work included research on globalization for the Institute for Research & Education on Women & Gender, community-based organizing on breast cancer-pesticide linkages, reproductive rights and incarceration alternatives, and teaching Women''s Studies at the State University of New York at Buffalo. She has a Master''s Degree in Sociology from City College, City University of New York, with a focus in women''s rights and economic justice.

Beatrice Keita, Director of Finance
A native of Senegal, Beatrice has lived and worked in various West African and European countries throughout her life. She earned a degree in Finance and Accounting from University Cheick Anta Diop, Senegal and is presently working toward a certificate in Non-Profit Financial Management at Baruch College. Prior to coming to WEDO, Beatrice was an educator on the issue of female genital mutilation based on her experience in Guinea.  While in Guinea, she also worked as an accountant for PriceWaterhouseCoopers and most recently was Finance Manager for the Community Health Care Association of New York State.

Cate Owren, Sustainable Development Program Coordinator
Cate has a Master’s Degree in International Affairs from the New School, where she concentrated in socioeconomic development with a focus on gender and women’s empowerment.  With field experience in West Africa and the Caribbean, she has worked on issues such as reproductive health and AIDS education at the village level, microfinance in Dominican-Haitian communities, and the global movements towards “ethically” mined gold and fair trade.  Cate also holds a degree in theater and is a founding member of a theater company based in New York.

Colette Tamko, Gender and Governance Program Coordinator
Originally from Cameroon, Colette Tamko is a lawyer with Master''s Degrees in International Affairs and in Corporate and Securities Law.  Prior to joining WEDO, Colette practiced law in Cameroon and worked on gender and human rights issues with a regional Cameroon-based women''s organization.  She also worked in the FAO liaison office in New York and, most recently, as an Information Services Coordinator with the World Federalist Movement-Coalition for the International Criminal Court.  With experience working towards a strong and effective ICC, Colette now coordinates WEDO''s 50/50 Campaign, as well as UN Reform. 

WEDO thanks the wonderful Consultants who contribute enormously to our work:  Gail Elberg (Senior Operations Manager), Anna Grossman (Communications), and Jelena Pia-Comella (GEAR Campaign).