Staff, Board of Directors,
and Teacher Leadership Council
Christina Bruce-Bennion
Executive Director
Christina Bruce-Bennion joined the Wassmuth Center for Human Rights as Executive Director in November 2022. Prior to joining the Wassmuth Center, Christina worked in various leadership capacities in refugee resettlement in the Valley for over 24 years, taught at BSU, led and participated in various multi-sector collaborations, and has served on various boards. She received her BA in Political science from Willamette University and her master’s in education from Boston University. She is originally from Fairbanks Alaska but has lived in the Treasure Valley for 25 years with her husband Paul and three kids.
Office: 208.345.0304
Direct: 208.506.2386
Debbie Sager
Office Manager
Debbie has a Bachelor of Science Degree with a Minor in Business and comes to the WCHR having spent 20 years in bookkeeping and accounting. Throughout her career, Debbie has gained valuable experience in fundraising, event planning and working with volunteers. Joining Center staff in 2014, Debbie provides technical support to the Center related to financial accounting, member communication, event planning, fundraising, database and website management.
Office: 208.345.0304
Direct: 208.506.2372
Jess Westhoff
EDUCATION PROGRAMS MANAGER
Jess Westhoff is an educator committed to co-creating inclusive and joyful spaces for people to share their stories, imagine new possibilities together, and join in partnership to build a community where we all belong and thrive. With a Bachelor of Arts in American Studies and English from the University of Idaho as well as a Master of Arts in Education from Stanford University, Jess has more than twenty years of experience teaching students of all ages. Beyond her professional pursuits, Jess enjoys traveling to new places, hiking in the foothills with her family, and reading great books.
Office: 208.345.0304
Direct: 208.506.2385
Calley Sunderman
Education PROGRAMS SPECIALIST
Calley Sunderman is a passionate learner and dedicated teacher, finding endless inspiration in the boundless curiosity of youth. Specializing in environmental education, she holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Resources from Arizona State University, where she was also committed to resilence and joy as a member of the Track and Cross Country teams. Calley is deeply committed to building communities through her involvement, advocacy, and partnerships, and works towards connections and collaborations. Her teaching extends beyond the classroom, encompassing and sharing a love for the outdoors. Calley, along with her husband and son, enjoys exploring new places, fostering a sense of adventure and discovery.
Office: 208.345.0304
Direct: 208.506.2371
Bavani Sathasivam
DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST
Bavani is a former Mathematics educator and lifelong advocate for diversity and inclusion. She strongly believes that the end of education is character, and this begins in the classroom and community. With her experiences living in Singapore, New Zealand, and now, Boise, Bavani has a natural awareness of and sensitivity to culturally diverse backgrounds. Her gifts and passion lie in volunteering, event management, and bringing people together. Bavani hopes to leave this world a kinder place than she found it.
Office: 208.345.0304
Direct: 208.506.2388
Board of Directors
We extend a special thanks to the following individuals for helping us fulfill our mission. We truly appreciate the input, ideas and shared passion for human rights as demonstrated by our board.
Executive Committee
Sarah Griffin
Board President
Idaho Power
Jennifer Jones Hooft
Board Vice President
Higher Resources
Rachel Bergmann
Board Secretary
Gem State Radiology
Jon Yoshizaki
Board Treasurer
US Bank
Don Murray
Executive Committee Liaison
Delta Dental of Idaho
Development / Financial Management Committee
Kevin Bates
Stifel Financial
Kayla McMichael
Krista Gorman
Amazon Web Services
Laura Reardon
Quilt Crossing
Rich Raimondi
Retired
INTERNAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
Judi Marsh
Committee chair
Healthwise
Terry Peoples
Committee co-chair
Delta Dental of Idaho
Jennifer Jones Hooft
Higher Resources
Pam Howland
Idaho Employment Lawyers
Martin de Ville
CPA
Board Opening
MARKETING / BRAND STRATEGY COMMITTEE
Jessica Hagan
COMMITTEE CHAIR
KTVB
Pam McNamara
COMMITTEE CO-CHAIR
Blue Cross of Idaho
Christopher Rowlison
MCX Technologies Corporation
Danielle Maxwell
St. Luke’s
Rod Gramer
Delta Dental
Brian Cronin
HP Inc.
EducationAL & COMMUNITY Programs
Ellen Albus
Committee chair
Educator (retired)
Shenna Smith
HP Inc. (retired)
Shelli Sonnenberg Wardle
Boise Police Department
Jena Vasconcellos
Community Advocate
Malcolm Brown
St. Luke’s
Lindsay Kopp
Zion’s Bank
Antoinette Cavanaugh
Administrator (retired)
Danielle Crapo
Idaho First Bank
Steve Pollack
Memorial Docent Committee
Advisory Board
Jennifer Jones Hooft, Chair
Members:
AJ Balukoff
Sandra Berenter
Chrissy Bowers
Cherie Buckner-Webb
Ellen Bush
Meredith Carnahan
Greg Carr
Susan Curtis
Patti Diener
Leslie Drake
Rabbi Dan Fink
Bev Harad
Mark Johnson
Jo Anne Minnick
Peter Morrill
Donald C. Murray
Mary Petermann
Ellen G. Suchar
Kris Sturgill
Rev. Dr. Nancy S. Taylor
Lisa Uhlmann
Sarah Woodley
Kathy Yamamoto
Ed Zimmer
Teacher Leadership Council
Thank you to these educators who support the Wassmuth Center in cultivating a network of human rights educators.
Jonelle Warnock
Co-Chair
Boise High School
Thomas Pirc
Co-Chair
Meridian Middle School
Therese Woozley
RIPL Lead
Boise State University and College of Western Idaho
Christa Newcum
Conference Co-Lead
Future Public School
Julie Bradshaw
Conference Co-Lead
Retired
Apply for Our Board of Directors
Looking to volunteer and dedicate time, talent, and treasure to the Wassmuth Center for Human Rights? Consider applying for an appointment on the Center’s Board of Directors.
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.
-MARGARET MEAD, AMERICAN CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGIST