Meet Our Staff

An Alabama native, Bill began practicing business law with Sullivan and Holston law firm. Also an avid human rights advocate, Bill joined HRI’s team as a pro bono volunteer attorney, where he litigated multiple asylum trials in immigration court. In 2005 Bill was awarded the Angel of Freedom Award by the Human Rights Initiative of North Texas. Bill’s favorite hobbies are hiking, especially in Big Bend National Park, and reading. His most influential book is Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s ‘Cost of Discipleship’, while his overall favorite is ‘Brothers Karamazov’.

E-mail: bholston@hrionline.org
Phone: 469-581-2172

Born and raised in Pakistan, Baig received a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and Political Science from the University of Punjab, and a Bachelor of Arts in Art & Performance/Master of Fine Arts in Art & Technology at UT Dallas. Alongside HRI, Baig continues to follow her passion for storytelling as an author, playwright and actor, serves on artistic advisory board for Prism Movement Theatre, and teaches theatre at UT Dallas.

E-mail: mbaig@hrionline.org
Phone: 469-581-2518

Born in DR Congo and raised in Rwanda, Ruth lived in Maine for several years before making Texas her home.

She earned her bachelor’s degree in Social Work from the University of Southern Maine. She’s passionate about promoting human rights and fighting poverty through advocacy and empowering vulnerable populations. She joins HRI with extensive experience in community engagement and mission-centered fundraising.

E-mail: rbrasier@hrionline.org
Phone: 469-581-7266

Kali has made Texas her home for nearly a decade. She received her Bachelor of Arts, summa cum laude, from the University of Rochester and her law degree with honors from the University of Texas School of Law. Prior to joining HRI, Kali worked for the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas, where she focused on immigrants’ rights, policing, and LGBTQ rights. When she is not working, she enjoys hiking, cooking, and doing projects at home.

E-mail: kcohn@hrionline.org
Phone: 469-581-2751

Born and raised in Austin, Texas, Layne attended the University of Texas at Austin. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Applied Learning and Development. During her career as an educator, Layne dedicated herself to underserved communities and taught numerous refugee and immigrant students. Layne was a regular volunteer at HRI before joining the staff in 2018. Outside of HRI, Layne spends her time painting, lettering, and listening to podcasts.

E-mail: lfaulkner@hrionline.org
Phone: 214-273-4344

Pilar is a California native and received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, magna cum laude, from the University of Arizona, and her law degree from the University of California, Irvine School of Law. Prior to joining HRI, Pilar worked at Kids In Need of Defense in Los Angeles, first as an Equal Justice Works fellow and then as a staff attorney. When not fighting for justice, Pilar loves attending concerts, hiking, and exploring Dallas.

E-mail: pferguson@hrionline.org
Phone: 214-855-0520

Veronica is a Dallas native. She earned her bachelor’s in Social Work and minor in Spanish from Texas State University. From a young age, she knew that her heart belonged to helping others, leading her to dedicate her career to the social services sector. In her free time, Veronica enjoys spending time with friends and family, chasing her dogs, cooking, and watching reality tv.

Zeyla, a Texas native, is a graduate of the University of North Texas in Denton where she studied International Studies and Spanish. Before joining the team in 2013, Zeyla was a committed HRI volunteer and translator. When she’s not assisting HRI’s lawyers and clients, Zeyla can be found immersed in the arts–having trained in ballet and modern dance for 15 years.

E-mail: zgonzalez@hrionline.org
Phone: 214-855-0520

Emily Heger is an Equal Justice Works legal fellow, sponsored by AT&T and Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP. Her work focuses on winning asylum for women and girls fleeing gender-based violence. Prior, Emily served as the Chief Operating Officer of Akola Project, a global women’s empowerment non-profit. Emily received her law degree with honors from Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law.

E-mail: eheger@hrionline.org
Phone: 214-855-0520

Sierra is a North Carolina native, and earned her Bachelor of Arts in Global Studies and Geography, with a focus in Latin America, at the University of North Carolina. Before joining HRI, Sierra worked at a refugee center in Mexico City, where she worked with asylum seekers and refugees, mostly from Central America. When she isn’t working, she spends her time hiking, running, cooking, reading, and traveling.

E-mail: shouck@hrionline.org
Phone: 214-855-0520

Elean was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. During her last year at UNT in Denton, where she graduated with her Bachelor of Arts in Social Science, Elean volunteered as a translator with HRI. With a passion for helping others, Elean has found herself right at home at HRI. When she’s not lending a listening ear to our prospective clients, she can be found enjoying a good craft beer and hanging out with her friends and family.

E-mail: emartinez@hrionline.org
Phone: 214-855-0520

Kristina is Dallas, Texas born and raised. She graduated from the University of North Texas where she received her Bachelor of Arts in General Studies in 2007 and Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies with an emphasis in Women’s Studies in 2010. Kristina has always known that her heart is in non-profit work, and has served HRI clients since the fall of 2012. Kristina loves taking long walks with her dog, Lulu, and enjoys going to rallies and events that promote social justice.

E-mail: kmorales@hrionline.org
Phone: 214-855-0520

Carolina, a Texas native, earned her bachelor’s in Political Science and International Studies from Texas A&M Commerce. She knew that she wanted to work with immigrants because her family are also immigrants. Working for a nonprofit like HRI gives her the chance to give back and fulfill her dream of helping children. When she’s not helping the cause, you can find her traveling and going to the beach.

E-mail: cpina@hrionline.org
Phone: 214-855-0520

Born in Mexico and raised in Lewisville, TX, Naomi is a first-generation college graduate. In May 2020, she obtained her Bachelor of Social Work at the University of North Texas in Denton, TX. In August 2021, Naomi obtained her Master of Social Work at the University of Texas at Arlington. As an immigrant and DACA recipient herself, Naomi is fulfilling her dream of working with and empowering resilient immigrants. Outside of HRI, she enjoys listening to podcasts, shopping, exploring Dallas and other areas of Texas, and spending time with her loved ones.

E-mail: nrios@hrionline.org
Phone: 214-855-0520

Cory earned her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Texas at Dallas and her law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law. Prior to working at HRI, Cory worked at Ayuda as a Skadden Legal Fellow, representing survivors of human trafficking and various other crimes. Outside of HRI, Cory enjoys hiking, biking, running, and traveling.

E-mail: csagduyu@hrionline.org
Phone: 214-855-0520

Jessica moved to the Dallas area in 2021.  She obtained her law degree from the Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law in Florida.  Jessica brings with her a diverse legal background, having worked to support immigrants in the non-profit, private practice, and corporate sectors.  Her passion lies in assisting vulnerable populations.   When she is not working, she enjoys spending time with her family, biking, paddle boarding, traveling and if there is any time leftover- enjoying a good book.

E-mail: jthackway@hrionline.org
Phone: 214-855-0520

Jenny is a Dallas native with 30 years of experience in the nonprofit sector. Her first development job was in 2009; and since that time, she has helped organizations build vibrant fundraising programs and raise millions of dollars. Jenny has a Bachelor of Arts from Yale university and a master’s from Harvard. Outside of work, Jenny enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, and hiking in the Pacific Northwest. She joined HRI in 2019.

E-mail: jweil@hrionline.org
Phone: 469-581-2176