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
Candelario, Health 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
David, Policy Director
david@wdactionfund.org
Estefania, Legal Intake Coordinator
estefania@wdactionfund.org
Fabiola, Operations Coordinator
fabiola@wdactionfund.org
Faith, Finance Manager
faith@wdactionfund.org
Hannah, Austin Staff Attorney
hannah@wdactionfund.org
Hannah, Data Coordinator
hannah.hughes@wdactionfund.org
Inmer, Better Builder Oversight Coordinator
inmer@wdactionfund.org
Jose, Austin Legal Manager/ Organizer
jose.caceres@wdactionfund.org
Laura, Austin Campaign Manager
laura.becerra@wdactionfund.org
Marina, Grant Manager
marina@wdactionfund.org
Valeria, Executive Assistant
valeria@wdactionfund.org
Dallas
Anita, Dallas Policy Coordinator
anita@wdactionfund.org
Bricia, Movement Politics Director
bricia@wdactionfund.org
Cheli, Workplace Justice Organizer
cheli@wdactionfund.org
Christopher, Digital Strategist
christopher@wdactionfund.org
Cristal, Dallas Legal Manager/Organizer
cristal@wdactionfund.org
Hosanna, Development Director
hosanna@wdactionfund.org
Lizeth, Executive Director
lizeth@wdactionfund.org
Maria, Dallas Campaign Organizer
maria.dejesus@wdactionfund.org
Sean, ELS Director
sean@wdactionfund.org
Houston
Elsa, Houston Campaign Organizer
elsa@wdactionfund.org
Esmeralda, Communications Associate
esme@wdactionfund.org
Kevin, Movement Politics Manager
Kevin@wdactionfund.org
Laura, Organizing Director
laurapb@wdactionfund.org
Maria “Camila”, Houston Campaign Manager
maria@wdactionfund.org
Sandra, Houston Campaign Organizer
sandra@wdactionfund.org
Tevin, Community and Political Organizer
tevin@wdactionfund.org
Candido, Always Essential Campaign Organizer
candido@wdactionfund.org