Simon Billenness, Executive Director
Described by the New York Times “a super-specialist” in human rights advocacy, Simon has over 30 years of experience helping citizens, investors, non-profits, universities, communities, and unions use their power to lobby their governments and hold corporations accountable.
At the socially responsible asset management firm Trillium Asset Management in the 1990s, Simon pioneered the use of shareholder engagement of corporations operating in countries racked by conflict and burdened by repressive regimes in Burma (Myanmar), China, East Timor, and Nigeria. In 2002, Simon founded Oxfam America’s Private Sector Department working with communities around the world to directly engage companies in order to protect their lands and livelihoods. As member of the Business and Human Rights Group of Amnesty International USA, Simon has built the capacity of staff and members to put effective pressure on companies to respect human rights.
Starting in the early 1990s, as part of the emerging Free Burma movement, Simon organized shareholder activism and the use of state and local selective purchasing laws to put pressure on corporations to withdraw from Burma. He co-authored the Massachusetts Burma selective purchasing law with state rep. Byron Rushing and led the grassroots lobbying campaign to enact it. Later, he helped defend the law from challenge at the World Trade Organization and in the U.S. Supreme Court. He also helped found the U.S. Campaign for Burma and served on the Board of Directors and as Executive Director.
In recent years, Simon co-founded and currently directs International Campaign for the Rohingya, No Business With Genocide, and Campaign for a New Myanmar. He remains relentless in supporting the Burmese people in their struggle against the Myanmar military junta.
Keel Dietz, Senior Policy Advisor
Keel is an economic policy expert who has worked on issues related to Myanmar for nearly a decade, in particular helping international authorities target and calibrate their financial sanctions targeting junta-allied networks. He has previously worked for UN Special Rapporteur Tom Andrews, where he helped map the banking networks enabling the junta to purchase weapons and move money, and at Global Witness, where he conducted investigations into the jade mining industry and provided advice to the National League for Democracy (NLD) government on improving transparency standards in the mining sector. He aims to shape US foreign policy to support the people of Myanmar in their struggle for a better future.
Nora Nyi Myint, Government Relations and Grassroots Engagement Manager (Former)
Nora has over six years of experience in the international development and nonprofit sector. She began her journey as a human rights advocate and student activist, and later managed USAID, U.S. Department of State, and National Endowment for Democracy grants advancing democracy in Myanmar. Her work has included implementing programs in transitional justice, human rights documentation, conflict resolution, social cohesion, and civic engagement. She now brings her expertise in coalition-building, program management, advocacy, and research to support the mission of Campaign for a New Myanmar. She is particularly passionate about addressing gender-based violence in conflict and advancing international religious freedom.
Alyson Chadwick, Digital Campaign Strategist
Alyson has decades of experience using traditional and social media in political campaigns and to advocate for non-profits and communities. This included several years at the United Nations. Her interest in social justice and human rights comes from the understanding that we can do better for the people of the world.