Our Team
OUR TEAM
our board
Akila Radhakrishnan
Board Member
She/her
Akila Radhakrishnan is an international human rights lawyer and a globally recognized expert in justice and accountability, sexual and gender-based violence, gender equality, and reproductive rights. Akila is currently the Strategic Legal Advisor for Gender Justice for the Atlantic Council’s Strategic Litigation Project. She previously served as the President and Legal Director of the Global Justice Center. Akila has led ground-breaking legal work on gender and international law, including abortion access in conflict situations, the role that gender plays in genocide and crimes against humanity, ensuring accountability for reproductive violence, and the codification of gender apartheid.
A prominent voice on gender issues globally, her unique expertise as a feminist international lawyer and strategist is sought by policymakers, academics, media, and grassroots actors around the world. She has briefed the United Nations Security Council, presented at the International Criminal Court, and regularly advises governments and multilateral institutions on issues of gender equality and human rights.
Her expert analysis can also be seen across popular media, including in The New York Times, The Washington Post, BBC, The Atlantic, Foreign Policy, CNN, and The Nation. Akila has been the recipient of multiple awards and honors, including the Women’s Media Center’s Progressive Women’s Voices IMPACT Award, the Her Hero award from the New York City Bar Association, and has been named as one of the 100 Most Influential People in Gender Policy by APolitical.
Akila Radhakrishnan is an international human rights lawyer and a globally recognized expert in justice and accountability, sexual and gender-based violence, gender equality, and reproductive rights. Akila is currently the Strategic Legal Advisor for Gender Justice for the Atlantic Council’s Strategic Litigation Project. She previously served as the President and Legal Director of the Global Justice Center. Akila has led ground-breaking legal work on gender and international law, including abortion access in conflict situations, the role that gender plays in genocide and crimes against humanity, ensuring accountability for reproductive violence, and the codification of gender apartheid.
A prominent voice on gender issues globally, her unique expertise as a feminist international lawyer and strategist is sought by policymakers, academics, media, and grassroots actors around the world. She has briefed the United Nations Security Council, presented at the International Criminal Court, and regularly advises governments and multilateral institutions on issues of gender equality and human rights.
Her expert analysis can also be seen across popular media, including in The New York Times, The Washington Post, BBC, The Atlantic, Foreign Policy, CNN, and The Nation. Akila has been the recipient of multiple awards and honors, including the Women’s Media Center’s Progressive Women’s Voices IMPACT Award, the Her Hero award from the New York City Bar Association, and has been named as one of the 100 Most Influential People in Gender Policy by APolitical.
Emilie Palamy Pradichit
Board Member
She/her
Emilie Palamy Pradichit is a woman human rights defender, intersectional feminist and an international human rights lawyer.
Born into a refugee family from Laos, she founded the Manushya Foundation in 2017, working at the intersection of digital rights, sustainability, protection of defenders, transnational repression, and access to justice. Through her Foundation, she reinforces the power of women and youth advocating for democracy, social justice and equality, while also defending indigenous, forest dependent, LGBTIQ+ and marginalized communities across Southeast Asia.
Emilie Palamy Pradichit is a woman human rights defender, intersectional feminist and an international human rights lawyer.
Born into a refugee family from Laos, she founded the Manushya Foundation in 2017, working at the intersection of digital rights, sustainability, protection of defenders, transnational repression, and access to justice. Through her Foundation, she reinforces the power of women and youth advocating for democracy, social justice and equality, while also defending indigenous, forest dependent, LGBTIQ+ and marginalized communities across Southeast Asia.
Paxton McCausland
Board Member
He/They
Paxton McCausland is a transmasculine, non-binary organiser, researcher, and academic whose work spans grassroots movements, international advocacy, and critical research on gender in international law.
With experience from the Watchlist on Children and Armed Conflict to the Coalition for the International Criminal Court, Paxton brings a wealth of knowledge and lived experience as well as a strong dedication to building a world where all can thrive.
Paxton McCausland is a transmasculine, non-binary organiser, researcher, and academic whose work spans grassroots movements, international advocacy, and critical research on gender in international law.
With experience from the Watchlist on Children and Armed Conflict to the Coalition for the International Criminal Court, Paxton brings a wealth of knowledge and lived experience as well as a strong dedication to building a world where all can thrive.
Demetrius Wijesinghe
Board Member
He/him
Demetrius Wijesinghe is a seasoned international investigator with expertise in human rights, criminal law, and gender-based violence. As a Senior Investigator at a global investigative services firm, he has led high-stakes cases involving the collection of intelligence and evidence for diverse clients. His prior role at the Truth, Reconciliation, and National Unity Commission in Seychelles saw him spearheading investigations into state-sponsored violence, including murder, torture, and sexual crimes, while working closely with government officials and high-level informants.
Demetrius also played a significant role at the International Criminal Court (ICC), working within the Prosecutor’s Office and the Gender and Children Unit of the Investigations Division. At the ICC, he assisted in high-profile investigations into sexual and gender-based crimes, ensuring the application of intersectional gender analysis across the Court’s operations. His contributions were key in advancing gender justice in international criminal law. With a Master of Science in Human Rights from the London School of Economics, Demetrius continues to advocate for justice and accountability.
Demetrius Wijesinghe is a seasoned international investigator with expertise in human rights, criminal law, and gender-based violence. As a Senior Investigator at a global investigative services firm, he has led high-stakes cases involving the collection of intelligence and evidence for diverse clients. His prior role at the Truth, Reconciliation, and National Unity Commission in Seychelles saw him spearheading investigations into state-sponsored violence, including murder, torture, and sexual crimes, while working closely with government officials and high-level informants.
Demetrius also played a significant role at the International Criminal Court (ICC), working within the Prosecutor’s Office and the Gender and Children Unit of the Investigations Division. At the ICC, he assisted in high-profile investigations into sexual and gender-based crimes, ensuring the application of intersectional gender analysis across the Court’s operations. His contributions were key in advancing gender justice in international criminal law. With a Master of Science in Human Rights from the London School of Economics, Demetrius continues to advocate for justice and accountability.