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Staff, Board of Directors,
and Teacher Leadership Council

Christina Bruce-Bennion

Executive Director

Christina Bruce-Bennion joined the Wassmuth Center for Human Rights as Executive Director in November 2022. Prior to joining the Wassmuth Center, Christina worked in various leadership capacities in refugee resettlement in the Valley for over 24 years, taught at BSU, led and participated in various multi-sector collaborations, and has served on various boards. She received her BA in Political science from Willamette University and her master’s in education from Boston University. She is originally from Fairbanks Alaska but has lived in the Treasure Valley for 25 years with her husband Paul and three kids.

Office: 208.345.0304

Direct: 208.506.2386

Debbie Sager

Office Manager

Debbie has a Bachelor of Science Degree with a Minor in Business and comes to the WCHR having spent 20 years in bookkeeping and accounting. Throughout her career, Debbie has gained valuable experience in fundraising, event planning and working with volunteers. Joining Center staff in 2014, Debbie provides technical support to the Center related to financial accounting, member communication, event planning, fundraising, database and website management.

Office: 208.345.0304

Direct: 208.506.2372

Jess Westhoff

EDUCATION PROGRAMS MANAGER

Jess Westhoff is an educator committed to co-creating inclusive and joyful spaces for people to share their stories, imagine new possibilities together, and join in partnership to build a community where we all belong and thrive. With a Bachelor of Arts in American Studies and English from the University of Idaho as well as a Master of Arts in Education from Stanford University, Jess has more than twenty years of experience teaching students of all ages. Beyond her professional pursuits, Jess enjoys traveling to new places, hiking in the foothills with her family, and reading great books. 

Office: 208.345.0304

Direct: 208.506.2385

Calley Sunderman

Education PROGRAMS SPECIALIST

Calley Sunderman is a passionate learner and dedicated teacher, finding endless inspiration in the boundless curiosity of youth. Specializing in environmental education, she holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Resources from Arizona State University, where she was also committed to resilence and joy as a member of the Track and Cross Country teams. Calley is deeply committed to building communities through her involvement, advocacy, and partnerships, and works towards connections and collaborations. Her teaching extends beyond the classroom, encompassing and sharing a love for the outdoors. Calley, along with her husband and son, enjoys exploring new places, fostering a sense of adventure and discovery.

Office: 208.345.0304

Direct: 208.506.2371

Bavani Sathasivam

DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST

Bavani is a former Mathematics educator and lifelong advocate for diversity and inclusion. She strongly believes that the end of education is character, and this begins in the classroom and community. With her experiences living in Singapore, New Zealand, and now, Boise, Bavani has a natural awareness of and sensitivity to culturally diverse backgrounds. Her gifts and passion lie in volunteering, event management, and bringing people together. Bavani hopes to leave this world a kinder place than she found it.

Office: 208.345.0304

Direct: 208.506.2388

Board of Directors

We extend a special thanks to the following individuals for helping us fulfill our mission. We truly appreciate the input, ideas and shared passion for human rights as demonstrated by our board.

Executive Committee

Sarah Griffin

Board President

Idaho Power

Jennifer Jones Hooft

Board Vice President

Higher Resources

Rachel Bergmann

Board Secretary

Gem State Radiology

Jon Yoshizaki

Board Treasurer

US Bank

Don Murray

Executive Committee Liaison

Delta Dental of Idaho

Development / Financial Management Committee

Kevin Bates

Stifel Financial

Kayla McMichael
Krista Gorman

Amazon Web Services

Laura Reardon

Quilt Crossing

Rich Raimondi

Retired

INTERNAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

Judi Marsh

Committee chair

Healthwise

Terry Peoples

Committee co-chair

Delta Dental of Idaho

Jennifer Jones Hooft

Higher Resources

Pam Howland

Idaho Employment Lawyers

Martin de Ville

CPA

Board Opening

MARKETING / BRAND STRATEGY COMMITTEE

Jessica Hagan
COMMITTEE CHAIR

KTVB

Pam McNamara
COMMITTEE CO-CHAIR

Blue Cross of Idaho

Christopher Rowlison

MCX Technologies Corporation

Danielle Maxwell

St. Luke’s

Rod Gramer

Delta Dental

Brian Cronin

HP Inc.

EducationAL & COMMUNITY Programs

Ellen Albus

Committee chair

Educator (retired)

Shenna Smith

HP Inc. (retired)

Shelli Sonnenberg Wardle

Boise Police Department

Jena Vasconcellos

Community Advocate

Malcolm Brown

St. Luke’s

Lindsay Kopp

Zion’s Bank

Antoinette Cavanaugh

Administrator (retired)

Danielle Crapo

Idaho First Bank

Steve Pollack

Memorial Docent Committee

Advisory Board

Jennifer Jones Hooft, Chair

Members:

AJ Balukoff

Sandra Berenter

Chrissy Bowers

Cherie Buckner-Webb

Ellen Bush

Meredith Carnahan

Greg Carr

Susan Curtis

Patti Diener

Leslie Drake

Rabbi Dan Fink

Bev Harad

Mark Johnson

Jo Anne Minnick

Peter Morrill

Donald C. Murray

Mary Petermann

Ellen G. Suchar

Kris Sturgill

Rev. Dr. Nancy S. Taylor

 

Lisa Uhlmann

Sarah Woodley

Kathy Yamamoto

Ed Zimmer

Teacher Leadership Council

Thank you to these educators who support the Wassmuth Center in cultivating a network of human rights educators.  

Jonelle Warnock

Co-Chair

Boise High School

Thomas Pirc

Co-Chair

Meridian Middle School

Therese Woozley

RIPL Lead

Boise State University and College of Western Idaho

Christa Newcum

Conference Co-Lead

Future Public School

Julie Bradshaw

Conference Co-Lead

Retired

Apply for Our Board of Directors

Looking to volunteer and dedicate time, talent, and treasure to the Wassmuth Center for Human Rights? Consider applying for an appointment on the Center’s Board of Directors.

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.

-MARGARET MEAD, AMERICAN CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGIST

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©2024 The Wassmuth Center for Human Rights | All rights reserved | Website by 116 & West