Patronus: Aggretsuko (although it is not a real anima): the newest member of the Sanrio Japanese Cartoon family, a hard working female Red Panda that takes out her frustration and stress with heavy metal Karaoke sessions. Also relate to sea turtles: “They are survivors who carry their homes on their back, which is quite symbolic of my own experiences.”

Leanne studied Women and Gender Studies, and Political Science at the City University of New York. In the past 10 years, Leanne has worked as a feminist trainer and project manager through coalitions and community based organizations working on socioeconomic justice, civil liberties issues, migrant rights, and trade justice. She previously served on the board of Sadie Nash Women’s Leadership Project, and was a founder and board member of Innovation School to promote activism among the most socioeconomically marginalized young people in New York. Currently, she is the Coordinator of the Economic Policy and Human Rights Working Group at the International Network for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. Prior to this role, she worked as a Program Officer with Asia Pacific Forum on Women, Law and Development based in Thailand to ensure grassroots women’s voices from her region are involved in shaping the UN Sustainable Development Goals and to position women’s rights at the center of development policies at all levels. Leanne enjoys drumming, swimming in the ocean and strategizing disruption tactics with people who share her desire for transformative change. Originally from Philippines, Leanne is often transitioning between countries and continents for work. She is fluent in Tagalog, English and is currently resuscitating her Spanish. She tweets as @leannesajor.