An international human rights lawyer, ordained minister and former San Francisco public defender, Karen founded IBJ in 2000 after witnessing hundreds of prisoners of all ages being held without trials, usually after being tortured into making 'confessions’. She realised that systematic early access to a lawyer can create global conditions for a “new normal” in which democracy is strengthened, people have access to justice, and we end the use of torture as an investigative tool. IBJ now has a presence in 52 countries and over 22 years, IBJ has supported more than 40,000+ lawyers and defenders who have represented more than 500,000 detainees.
Karen is a recipient of awards from the Skoll Foundation, Echoing Green, Ashoka, and among others, the American Bar Association Human Rights Award, the Gleitsman International Award, Harvard Divinity School Gomes and Alumna awards. Karen is named as one of America’s best leaders by the US News and World Report.
Central America, Central and Southern Asia, Eastern and Southern Africa, Eastern Asia, Europe, Middle East and North Africa, North America, South America, Southeast Asia, West and Central Africa
