Lauren Pesso

Lauren Pesso, LMSW, MPA is a social worker and nonprofit program manager with over a decade of experience addressing the health, wellbeing and human rights of marginalized populations in the U.S. and abroad, with a particular interest in trauma and resilience. Currently working as a clinician at a community mental health clinic, Lauren has served as Program Director of the Human Rights Clinic (HRC) at HealthRight International, which provides forensic evaluations and case management services for asylum seekers and other immigrants in the U.S. fleeing human rights abuses. As the first Human Trafficking Program Director at My Sisters’ Place, she helped establish and oversee an anti-human trafficking program in Westchester County, NY, and has worked in various roles supporting services for survivors of intimate partner violence, sexual assault, and other crimes, as well as global maternal and reproductive health programs. Lauren holds a Masters of Social Work (MSW) from Columbia University’s School of Social Work (CSSW), a Masters of Public Administration (MPA) from Columbia University’s School for International and Public Affairs (SIPA), and a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology and Religion from Wesleyan University. She has taught courses and lectures on topics including migration, health and human rights; international social work; and social work with vulnerable populations including survivors of human trafficking and torture.