Cristina M. Finch

Cristina M. Finch is the head of the gender and security division at DCAF – Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance. Previously she headed the Tolerance and Non-Discrimination Department at the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights and served as the policy director for women’s human rights at Amnesty International USA (AIUSA) and as an adjunct law professor at George Mason University School of Law. She has also served as AIUSA’s interim managing director of government relations. At AIUSA, Ms. Finch focuses on women’s and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) human rights; economic, social and cultural rights; and multilateral issues.

Prior to joining AIUSA in October 2009, she served as senior counsel to the Human Rights Campaign from 2005 to 2009 where she specialized in hate crimes, international issues and judicial nominations. She has also lectured on legal and policy issues before the UN Human Rights Council, World Bank, the FBI and at American University’s Washington College of Law.

Before HRC, she served as Legislative Counsel to Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL); as house legal counsel to the National Congress of the Republic of Palau; as a litigation associate practicing contract and tort law at a law firm focusing on civil claims; and, as a fellow at the Department of State. Prior to attending law school, Ms. Finch worked for Rep. Jim Barcia (D-MI). She holds a JD from George Mason University, and a BA from the University of Michigan.

Finch is a frequent commentator on issues such as violence against women, torture and other human rights issues, appearing on Fox News, Al Jazeera, PBS’s “To the Contrary”, Alhurra, National Public Radio, CNN radio, CBS radio, Radio Jamaica and Talk Radio Chicago (WVON). She has been quoted in the Associated Press, Bloomberg News, The Guardian, Reuters, CQ Global Researcher, Casper Star-Tribune, and Medill.

Follow her on Twitter @CristinaMFinch.