Randi Aho
PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Randi Aho serves as Program Director at the Institute. In this role, she oversees the development, implementation, and evaluation of Institute programs. Before joining the Institute, Randi worked at the Columbia Law School Human Rights Institute and the Institute for the Study of Human Rights at Columbia University, where she managed the Bringing Human Rights Home Network, a Human Rights Paper Symposium, the Alliance for Historical Dialogue and Accountability program, and an annual international indigenous leaders’ seminar. Randi has researched conflict policy in the Democratic Republic of Congo and human rights in Senegal, India, and the United States. Her interest in public affairs and policy began when she organized a grassroots anti-torture campaign in Iowa that led to President Obama’s Executive Order Ensuring Lawful Interrogations. Randi received a Master of International Affairs from Columbia University and a B.A. from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities.
Tatiana Fernandez-Castro
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT
Tatiana Fernandez-Castro is the Executive Assistant to the Institute. She works closely with the PBI team to streamline internal policies and procedures, coordinate events, provide financial management support, and run daily office operations. She has a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations and a Master’s degree in Business Administration in Marketing. She has experience in the private sector, academia, non-profit, and federal government and has worked at UCLA, American University, and for the Department of State. She enjoys learning new subjects and perspectives about the world and the community. She grew up and lived in Costa Rica for over 20 years and speaks fluent Spanish. She likes to read, travel, watch movies, and listen to podcasts. Since moving to California in 2017, she has taken a liking to L.A.’s weather.
FRANCISCO JASSO
RESEARCH ASSOCIATE
Francisco Jasso analyzes original survey data as the Institute’s Research Associate. He first joined PBI in May of 2022 and worked on the LA County counterpart to the 2022 Nonprofit Finance Fund State of the Nonprofit Sector Survey. Francisco is currently working on the California Community Foundation’s Regional Recovery Hubs survey and the LA Governance Reform Project. He received his Ph.D. in political science at UC Irvine in 2021, studying race, ethnicity, politics, public opinion, and participation. He has recently coauthored a scholarly journal article in Political Behavior and a book chapter in the Handbook of Politics and Public Opinion. He has also taught and TA’d courses in Race, Ethnicity, Politics, and Chicana/o Studies.
Annie Ojeda
STUDENT PROFESSIONAL
Annie is a student professional at the Institute.
Yamireth Solis
STUDENT PROFESSIONAL
Yamireth is a student professional at the Institute pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. Her interest in politics sparked after taking some political science courses her freshman year of college. She felt inspired to become more involved in helping make a change in shaping our communities and promoting advocacy. At the institute, Yamireth contributes in supporting all programs. In her free time, she loves listening to music, hiking, going to the beach, and finding cute coffee shops.
