Alisa Roadcup, Executive Director

Alisa believes when you empower a girl; you empower an entire community and generations beyond. She is a human rights activist, organizer, and advocate passionate about creating a safer, more just world for refugee girls and young women.  Alisa joined Heshima Kenya in 2012 as Director of Advocacy and Development, and has also served in the role of Director of Strategic Partnerships from 2013-14.  Before joining Heshima Kenya, Alisa was Director of Communications and development at The Council for a Parliament of the World's Religions in Chicago, IL. Her previous roles include Director of Education at Fresh Start Women's Foundation in Phoenix, Arizona and program associate for Amnesty International USA's Urgent Action Network, serving as coordinator for Amnesty's Stop Violence Against Women Campaign in 3 states. Since 2010, Alisa has advised on campaign strategy and membership mobilization in support of the promotion and protection of women's human rights as a member of Amnesty International USA’s Women Human Rights Coordination Group. From 2011 to 2014 Alisa served in numerous capacities including Vice President of the Board of Directors at Rape Victim Advocates and is currently a member of The Chicago Council on Global Affairs' Young Professionals.

Alisa holds professional certification in Forced Migration Studies from Northwestern University’s Center for Forced Migration Studies, an MA in Comparative Religions and a BA in Humanities. She frequently speaks at conferences and universities about local, national and international women's rights issues