our team
MARL works with a small team of dedicated staff and volunteers. Find out more about the people behind our organization
Sandra Krahn
Executive Director
Sandra has over 25 years of experience working in educational organizations, including schools, universities and non-profit organizations. She started her education career as a high school science teacher. She has been a project leader in a UNESCO Associated School. Sandra has a Bachelor of Education, with a Master’s and Ph.D. in Peace and Conflict Studies. Her research specialization is in how educational initiatives can support community peacebuilding. Sandra has experience with teacher training for human rights education in Canada, India and the Czech Republic. Her experience includes grant writing, program development and writing curriculum for community organizations.
Bea Basaran
Education Coordinator
Bea Basaran serves as the Education Coordinator for MARL. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Rights and Sociology from the University of Winnipeg. Her previous research work has been in the field of social sciences and humanities, with a focus on interdisciplinary studies exploring topics such as intersectionality, culture, immigration, and various social issues. In her role as the Education Coordinator, Bea is dedicated to advancing human rights education within the Manitoban community. Her responsibilities include designing and implementing educational programs and initiatives aimed at promoting awareness and understanding of human rights issues. Bea is deeply passionate about social justice and strives to empower individuals through education and advocacy. Her goal is to ensure that every person in Manitoba has access to essential human rights knowledge and resources, thereby fostering a more inclusive and equitable society.
Somto Obi
Community Engagement Coordinator
Somto is a graduate with a BSc in Accounting degree. She brings her adeptness with numbers and her commitment to accurate representation to her role here at MARL. With a passion for equity, ethics, transparency and accountability, Somto ensures that MARL remains aligned with its future vision and builds a strong connection with its valued communities and their members. Community outreach, administration, accounting and finance are a few of her core responsibilities at MARL and she hopes to add value to the organization through the work that she does.
practicum
students & facilitators
MARL offers under-graduate and graduate students practicum placements to experience working in a non-profit sector while pursuing their Degree.
Lindsay Hunt
Lindsay is completing her 4-year Bachelor of Arts from the University of Winnipeg. Her research is focused on the intergenerational trauma of Indigenous peoples in Canada and reconciliation in government policy. She spent several years working as a team leader at various non-profit organizations and is strongly committed to supporting marginalized communities as well as seeking resources for those struggling with housing and addiction in Winnipeg. She plans to pursue a Master’s in Social Work or Public Administration. Her goal is to work within the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba.
Fabiola Mlika
As a recent graduate of Canadian Mennonite University with a degree in Peace and Conflict Transformation, she has dedicated her life to advancing human rights and liberties. She has also been actively involved with youth for the past four years because she sees them as catalysts of positive change in our communities. As a result, she has developed great interpersonal skills and an excellent understanding of collaboration and effective communication.
Cameron Franzmann
Cameron is completing a Bachelor of Arts (Hon.) in Criminal Justice at the University of Winnipeg. His undergraduate thesis examined the decriminalization of drug laws with a focus on the Cannabis Act, and is working towards publishing. He’s passionate about the legal field and hopes to go to law school.
Michelle Suzuki
Michelle is Japanese, but she was raised in the Philippines. She completed her undergraduate degree in Japan, where she studied law and political science. However, her passion for children’s rights led her to pursue a master’s degree in human rights at the University of Manitoba.
Michayla Carlson
Michayla Carlson is a graduate student studying a masters in political science. She has a BA honours in political science from the University of Winnipeg. Michayla has worked previously on increasing access to menstrual necessities. In this activism she has presented both a provincial and national petition on the topic and successfully worked to gain free menstrual necessities into Manitoba’s public education system. Michayla believes strongly in working in local communities to increase access to human rights education and support.
Kyle Chemerika
Kyle is an undergraduate honours student in the Rhetoric, Writing and Communications Department at the University of Winnipeg. Both academically and professionally, his work has focused on topics like the rhetoric of extremism and radicalization, the role of social and legacy media in the democratic process, and the intersectionality of human rights injustices worldwide.
Talia Mohammed
Talia (She/Her) is a First-Generation Canadian with two Caribbean immigrant parents from Trinidad and Tobago and Saint Lucia. She obtained her undergraduate degree in Advanced Sociology, with a minor in History at the University of Manitoba. Currently, she is pursuing her master’s degree in human Rights (MHR) at UM. Her research and areas of focus stem from the exploration of decolonization and anti-racism practices, intersectional feminism/victimology, and gender-based violence in the West Indies. Talia remains committed in her pursuit of her education and allyship towards marginalized communities, hoping to take what she has learned back to her family’s countries of origin and make leeway toward progressive realization.
Justine Ramos
Justine Ramos (she/her) is currently an undergraduate student at the University of Manitoba pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Honours Psychology. Justine is greatly passionate about social justice and community development and is the author of Angles of Reality: Winnipeg Voices of Resilience & Stories of Courage (2021). Over the years, Justine has volunteered, been an intern and work with various organizations to support vulnerable communities ranging from at-risk youth to those living in poverty to children of families who have experienced interpersonal violence. Justine’s work as the Ethics Coordinator focuses on empowering youth with the critical skills required to problem solve and collaborate with others. Alongside Justine’s engagement with social justice, she has a deep love for literature and poetry, and utilizes the belief that storytelling can seed positive change to inspire and enhance her work.
Matthew Suderman
Matthew grew up in a once small town in Ontario. He is passionate about the social impact of non-profit organizations and social-focused
businesses. His
undergrad degree is in business and psychology, and he’s worked for various non-profits in summers.
He wants to apply his knowledge at MARL and continue to learn how to improve organizational structures that better and
move communities forward.
Nahum Del Rio Bazan
Nahum is a grade 11 student from the MET Exchange school, having immigrated from Mexico to Canada, his main interests are in History, Anthropology, and Geopolitics, where he has done multiple student research-based projects on these topics, to further his pursuit of an education based on these topics. Since Human Rights plays a big part in his interests, with the MET school’s internship program, he is a practicum student looking into the nature of civil conflicts as a school project.
Precious Joi Gauthier
Precious is pursuing dual undergraduate degree in Biology and English with a minor in Rhetoric, Writing, and Communications at the University of Winnipeg. Committed to social justice, she aspires to be a Writer, focusing on inclusivity and supporting marginalized communities. Through volunteering and family time, she prioritizes community engagement and self-care.
Stella Louku
Stella is a Kenyan citizen. She did her undergraduate degree in International Relations and Security Studies, and a minor in Business Administration and Management, at Daystar university. Currently she is studying a master’s degree in human rights at the university of Manitoba in Canada.
After her undergraduate studies, she got involved in the community by going to schools to share productive talks like the effects of drug abuse and mental health related issues. Additionally, she had the opportunity to engage with elderly and prisoners.
Lea Martin
Lea is a University of Winnipeg student pursuing a double honours degree in Criminal Justice and Psychology. She hopes to become a forensic psychologist or a professor. At MARL, she works closely with the BIPOC advisory committee and facilitates workshops on various human rights topics.
Venessa Tufuoh
Venessa graduated from the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration(GIMPA) with a Bachelor of Law (LLB) and is currently pursuing a Joint Masters Program for Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Manitoba. Her interests and work are in children’s rights, family violence and sexual trafficking.
Prince Duodu
Prince is a student in the Joint Masters Program in Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Manitoba. He holds a Masters in International Studies from Ohio University. He’s passionate about how communities can be informed and engaged in human rights issues, and its connection to bringing sustainable peace.
Xiaoxia (Claire) Li
Claire is pursuing a Master’s degree in Human Rights at the University of Manitoba. With a BA in English from Chongqing University, she has developed strong skills as a translator. Today in Canada, she is dedicated to social justice, focusing on freedom of expression, liberty, women’s rights and LGBTQIA+ rights.