OUR TEAM

Tran DANG

Founder and Executive Director

Tran is a former large law firm attorney who has represented victims of persecution in regional human rights forums and systems, UNHCR, and the UN special procedures. Before moving to Mexico where she currently resides, she directed a human rights office and legal aid clinic in Bangkok, Thailand. Her work in Latin America centers around the rights of asylum seekers, labor migrants, and deportees.

Jessica BILLEDO

Board Member

Jessica is the Director of Mexico Operations at Coyote Logistics and has 10+ years of experience within the transportation industry. In 2018, she moved to Mexico to kickstart Coyote’s Guadalajara office and expand their cross-border footprint. Jessica began volunteering with us shortly after her arrival and has supported various initiatives and fundraising campaigns before becoming a board member in 2021.

Bethany BONNEVILLE

Board Member

Bethany provided group coordination support for our educational programs for law students held every winter and summer in Guadalajara from 2019 - 2020 She has prior experience working at an immigration law firm in Eugene, Oregon, and is a 2023 juris doctorate candidate at the University of Oregon School of Law. As a board member, she is using her on-the-ground knowledge to drive the organization's mission forward.

Abdul KNOWLES

Board Member

Abdul has been an advocate for migrant and refugee rights since 2007 and has conducted doctoral research on refugee law in China. His advocacy and research include migrants from Latin America and Haiti. Abdul has an LL.M. from The University of Texas School of Law. As a board member, he will continue his advocacy and contribute to the long-term future of the Rhizome Center.

Khanh PHAM

Immigration Advisor

Khanh is an immigration attorney with 15+ years of experience. He handles all immigration-related matters and has extensive experience representing clients in asylum requests, adjustment of status filings, and removal proceedings. He is the former legal director at BPSOS-Houston’s immigration clinic and current co-host of a popular national, weekly immigration legal advice program on Radio VOA Tieng Viet.

Jorge RAMÍREZ

Technology Strategist

Jorge is a Mexican media artist and technologist specializing in generative processes and computer design. His body of work traverses mixed reality, design, art, and science. In 2017, he produced and curated all technological art content for Guadalajara’s UNESCO Media Art City submission and continues to explore ways of incorporating community-driven design and technology as a tool for social change.

Jackie RAMOS

General Counsel and Board Member

Jackie is a Houston-based attorney with 15+ years of big law and in-house experience. She began her legal career in the Corporate Group at the international law firm of Baker Botts, before joining the corporate office of a major Mexican grocery chain as Director of Legal Affairs in 2010. Jackie hopes that her work at the Rhizome Center can contribute in helping an underserved community.

Abigail THORNTON

Board Member

Abigail “Abi” is an expert on migration, education, and community development with extensive field experience along the U.S.-Mexico border. From 2015-2020, Abi conducted ethnographic research at Casa del Migrante Tijuana's shelter and helped to found Puente TJ, a deportee-led support group connecting new arrivals to jobs and housing. As a board member, she hopes to continue supporting the rights of returned migrants.