our
team
MARL works with a small team of dedicated staff and volunteers. Find out more about the people behind our organization.
Bea Basaran
Education Coordinator
Bea Basaran is the Education Coordinator for MARL. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Human Rights and Sociology from the University of Winnipeg. His previous research focused on the field of social sciences and humanities, with an emphasis on interdisciplinary studies exploring topics such as intersectionality, culture, immigration, and various social issues. In her role as Education Coordinator, Bea is dedicated to advancing human rights education within the Manitoba community. His responsibilities include the design and implementation of 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. Its 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.
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.
Aatir Rehan
Development Coordinator
Aatir Rehan graduated from the University of Winnipeg with a Business Administration degree. After 5 years of experience as an entrepreneur, Aatir decided to pursue a career in helping people understand human rights issues and their awareness, which brought him to the Manitoba Association for Rights and Liberties (MARL). As MARL’s Development Coordinator will be working on implementing a donor strategy and communicating with potential donors.
practicum
students
MARL offers under-graduate and graduate students practicum placements to experience working in a non-profit sector while pursuing their Degree.
Xiaoxia (Claire) Li
Claire is pursuing a Master’s in Human Rights at the University of Manitoba. With a Bachelor’s in English from Chongqing University, she has developed strong skills as a translator. Now in Canada, she is dedicated to social justice, focusing on freedom of expression, liberty, women’s rights, and LGBTQIA+ rights.
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.
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.
Nicolas Dousdebes (he/him)
Nicolas Dousdebes (he/him) is a student in the joint master’s degree in the Peace and Conflicts Studies (PACS) program at U of M (link to Peace and Conflict Studies (MA) | Explore UM | University of Manitoba (umanitoba.ca). He is a journalist and university instructor/professor with a master’s degree in international relations by the Institute for Higher National Studies (Ecuador).
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.
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.
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.