BOARD MEMBERS

  • Rita Abadi is a New York State Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Licensed in Clinical Psychology in Brazil, with extensive experience in trauma, crisis intervention, immigration and women’s rights. She is Operations Manager and Psychotherapist at the Mount Sinai Sexual Assault and Violence Intervention (SAVI) Program.

    Ms. Abadi received her Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling from New York University in 1998. She brings over 25 years of psychotherapy experience to her practice working with survivors of sexual and domestic violence. In 2004, she designed and implemented the Sex Trafficking Program for SAVI and she continues to actively contribute to the program.

    Ms. Abadi participated in the professional group that pioneered child abuse services in Brazil and was awarded a one-year training fellowship in Child Abuse Treatment by Sao Paulo State Government. She also completed a 4-year post-graduate training in Group Psychotherapy and Psychodrama. In June of 2015, she was awarded the Immigrant Woman Leaders Fellowship by the New York City Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs for her work against violence against women. In October of 2015, she was saluted as “Advocates of NYC”, by the Mayor’s Office to

    Combat Domestic Violence in recognition of the work with survivors of domestic violence and sex trafficking. She partakes in multidisciplinary teams and sits at the New York City Mayor’s Office Human Trafficking Task Force, the Queens Borough President’s Office Immigration Task Force, and MOIA’s Women’s Cabinet, among others.

    Ms. Abadi has in-depth experience creating and delivering trainings and workshops to professionals, students and the community. She regularly presents on Human Trafficking, Child

    Abuse, Male Victimization, Vicarious Trauma, Sexual and Domestic Violence. She has worked internationally in Colombia and in Brazil.

  • Thida is passionate about building impactful partnerships and driving sustainable social impact, and the Director of Development at Code Platoon, a Chicago-based nonprofit that helps veterans transition to careers in tech. A graduate of the University of Michigan, Thida lives in Boston with her children and spouse.

  • Elisabeth has been on the Voces Latinas board since 2015. She originally began as a volunteer, teaching conversational English classes and computer workshops to members of the community.

    Elisabeth received her undergraduate degree in Political Science and Italian Studies from John Cabot University in Rome. She has a Master's Degree in Government and Politics from St. John's University. For over 15 years she has worked in the nonprofit sector, specializing in fundraising, event planning, community outreach, and volunteer management. Elisabeth is currently the Director of Alumni Affairs & Advancement Events at the Little Red School House and Elisabeth Irwin High School.

  • Sandra Bennett-Pagan is a licensed clinical social worker in private practice providing behavioral health services for diverse populations. She specializes in the integration of clinical social work and art therapy skills to address the needs of trauma-exposed adults. Sandra recently completed 22+ years as the Regional Women’s Health Coordinator with the US Department of Health and Human Services, Region II, where she led women's health initiatives in collaboration with federal, state, territorial, and tribal government agencies, community-based organizations and key stakeholders in New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands. She facilitated projects in women and HIV/AIDS, prevention of violence against women and girls, trauma-informed care, women’s behavioral health, and human trafficking prevention affecting at-risk women and girls. Sandra has a Master’s degree in Social Work from Columbia University, NY, NY and a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from the Catholic University of Puerto Rico, Ponce, PR.