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: 214-273-4333

Born and raised in Pakistan, Baig received a B.A in English Literature and Political Science from the University of Punjab, and a B.A in Art & Performance/MFA in Art & Technology at UT Dallas. Alongside HRI, Baig continues to follow her passion for storytelling as a playwright and actor, serves on artistic advisory boards for Theatre Three Inc. and Deep Vellum Publishing, and teaches theatre at UT Dallas.

E-mail: mbaig@hrionline.org
Phone: 214-273-4336

Kali has made Texas her home for nearly a decade. She received her B.A. Summa Cum Laude from the University of Rochester and her J.D. 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: 214-273-4338

Elisandra settled in Dallas, Texas after living in Arezzo, Italy and graduating from the University of Oklahoma with her Bachelors in Political Science and International Relations. She has a vast amount of experience working with immigrants, most notably in the International Rescue Committee. While there she was drawn to economic empowerment for refugee women in the DFW area and immigration relief for various immigrant populations including refugees, asylum seekers, and minors from Central America. When Elisandra is not serving our clients, she can be found traveling or speaking one of the five languages she knows.

E-mail: edelacruz@hrionline.org
Phone: 214-273-4341

Zainab is half-Middle Eastern, half white, and 100% Texan. She has a BA in International Studies from the University of North Texas, with concentrations in Politics & Diplomacy, the Middle East, and Arabic, and is in the process of working on her masters in Social Work at the University of Texas at Arlington. She began working at HRI in 2011 through Americorps Vista, managing the volunteer program. After learning that her heart is in the social services field, Zainab returned to HRI to head the social services department in 2012. When she’s not helping clients, Zainab loves spending time with her family and traveling.

E-mail: zellis@hrionline.org
Phone: 214-273-4335

Born and raised in Austin, Texas, Layne attended the University of Texas at Austin. She received her B.A. 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’s passions are reading, painting, and spending time with her husband.

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

Pilar is a California native and received her B.A in Political Science, Magna Cum Laude from the University of Arizona, and her J.D. 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: 214-273-4331

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: 214-273-4339

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: 214-273-4330

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: 214-273-4338

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: 214-273-4337

Anna is the Children’s Program attorney at HRI. Prior to this role, Anna was legal program director at Mosaic Family Services, where she worked to help victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. Anna obtained her Master of Social Work at Florida State University, concentrating on working with women and children and her Juris Doctor at New England Law | Boston, where she was awarded the ultimate public service award at her graduation. When she isn’t lawyering, you can find Anna reading, watching sports, hiking, cooking, or traveling. She also loves being an aunt to her wonderful, yet sassy nieces, and active little nephew.

E-mail: arupani@hrionline.org
Phone: 214-273-4340

Sara is a Minnesota native and received her B.A. Magna Cum Laude from St. Olaf College, her M.Ed. Summa Cum Laude from Vanderbilt University, and her J.D. Cum Laude from the University of Minnesota. Sara worked for HRI for many years as a pro bono attorney before joining the staff in 2017. When not working, Sara enjoys spending time with her family, practicing yoga, and watching Broadway musicals.

E-mail: swahl@hrionline.org
Phone: 214-273-4342

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 BA from Yale university and a masters 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: 214-273-4334