Meet Our Team

In unity, there is strength.

Workers Defense Project is a community organization for low-wage, immigrant workers in the Texas construction industry. We bring together and stand alongside these workers as they fight for their right to be paid a living wage and be protected in their work.

Board of Directors

Parisa Fatehi-Weeks, President

Isaac Faz, President-Elect

Claudia Golinelli, Vice-President

Adrian Rizo, Treasurer

José Cabada, Secretary

Phillip Schmandt

Rebecca Ruth Webber

Laura Olvera

Maria Huerta

Mario Ontiveros

Myrna Mendez

Sharon Medina

Mirna Rodriguez

Leadership Council

Anna Fink, First Vice President for Philanthropy; Amalgamated Bank

Carol Barger, Attorney

Christine Owens, Former Executive Director; NELP

Erica Smiley, Executive Director; Jobs with Justice

Henry Allen, Executive Director; Retired; Discount Foundation

Kirk Adams, Service Employees International Union

Leonard Aguilar, Political Director, Southwest Pipetrades Association

Marybeth Maxwell, Consultant, Movement Building

Rick Levy, President; Texas AFL-CIO

Tefere Gebre, Executive Vice President; AFL-CIO

Tory Gavito, President & Co-Founder, Way To Win

Our Staff

Austin

Abraham, Better Builder Coordinator
abraham@wdactionfund.org

Amparo, Director of HR & Operations
amparo@wdactionfund.org

Andrea, Better Builder Director
andrea@wdactionfund.org

CandelarioHealth and Safety Organizer
cande@wdactionfund.org

Christine, Communications Director
christine@wdactionfund.org

Claudia, Grant Writer
claudia@wdactionfund.org

Daniel, Movement Politics Manager
daniel@wdactionfund.org

Daniela, State Legislative Coordinator
daniela@wdactionfund.org

DavidPolicy Director
david@wdactionfund.org

EstefaniaLegal Intake Coordinator
estefania@wdactionfund.org

FabiolaOperations Coordinator
fabiola@wdactionfund.org

FaithFinance Manager
faith@wdactionfund.org

HannahAustin Staff Attorney
hannah@wdactionfund.org

HannahData Coordinator
hannah.hughes@wdactionfund.org

InmerBetter Builder Oversight Coordinator
inmer@wdactionfund.org

JoseAustin Legal Manager/ Organizer
jose.caceres@wdactionfund.org

LauraAustin Campaign Manager
laura.becerra@wdactionfund.org

MarinaGrant Manager
marina@wdactionfund.org

ValeriaExecutive Assistant
valeria@wdactionfund.org

Dallas

AnitaDallas Policy Coordinator
anita@wdactionfund.org

BriciaMovement Politics Director
bricia@wdactionfund.org

CheliWorkplace Justice Organizer
cheli@wdactionfund.org

ChristopherDigital Strategist
christopher@wdactionfund.org

CristalDallas Legal Manager/Organizer
cristal@wdactionfund.org

HosannaDevelopment Director
hosanna@wdactionfund.org

Lizeth, Executive Director
lizeth@wdactionfund.org

MariaDallas Campaign Organizer
maria.dejesus@wdactionfund.org

SeanELS Director
sean@wdactionfund.org

Houston

ElsaHouston Campaign Organizer
elsa@wdactionfund.org

EsmeraldaCommunications Associate
esme@wdactionfund.org

Kevin, Movement Politics Manager
Kevin@wdactionfund.org

LauraOrganizing Director
laurapb@wdactionfund.org

Maria “Camila”Houston Campaign Manager
maria@wdactionfund.org

SandraHouston Campaign Organizer
sandra@wdactionfund.org

TevinCommunity and Political Organizer
tevin@wdactionfund.org

CandidoAlways Essential Campaign Organizer
candido@wdactionfund.org