Meet our Team

Project Libertad is made up of a team of passionate and dedicated staff, volunteers, and supporters who make our important work possible. Meet our team below!

Rachel Rutter, Esq.
Founder and Executive Director
rachel@projectlibertad.org

Rachel, a passionate advocate for immigrant children's rights, founded Project Libertad in 2015 and serves as the Executive Director. She is a graduate of the Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law and Gettysburg College. Rachel served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Costa Rica and an Equal Justice Works JusticeAmeriCorps Fellow. She has lived and worked in Spain and Puerto Rico. Prior to transitioning full-time to Project Libertad, Rachel spent several years as a Staff Attorney representing immigrant children in removal proceedings at HIAS Pennsylvania.

Vanessa Estevez
​Volunteer Coordinator
Administrative Assistant
vanessa@projectlibertad.org

Vanessa graduated from Dominican University O&M where she received a Bachelor's in Hotel and Business Management. She has worked for Catholic Charities with the Day Laborers program and as a Case Manager. She has also volunteered as an interpreter for asylum seekers. Vanessa loves her Hispanic background and is passionate about helping the most vulnerable communities.

Guilianna McGinniss
Mentoring Program Coordinator
guilianna@projectlibertad.org

Guilianna oversees Project Libertad's one-on-one mentoring program. Guilianna is a doctoral student at Florida Southern College, where she is studying for her Doctor of Education, and a recent graduate of Saint Leo University in Florida, where she received a Master of Science in Psychology. In addition to her graduate studies, Guilianna works as a preschool teacher. When she is not studying or working, Guilianna runs a lifestyle blog. Above all, she enjoys spending time with her friends and family.​​

Lauren Dunoff
Newcomer Support Program Coordinator
​lauren@projectlibertad.org

Lauren is a graphic designer from Plymouth Meeting who enjoys sharing her love of art and crafting with the students of Project Libertad. As Newcomer Program Coordinator she strives to create a positive, fun environment for the students to thrive in, and build community. Lauren has been a member of the Project Libertad team since 2019, and is learning to speak Spanish.

Abe Shenoy
​​​Adult ESL Program Coordinator
​abe@projectlibertad.org

Abe has been with Project Libertad since the Fall of 2019. Volunteering has always been a big part of his life. In fact, Abe met his wife Priscilla while volunteering. As an IT professional, he has tried to find roles within his volunteer work where he can leverage his professional knowledge and abilities. Being an immigrant himself, he is aware of how much his experience has been positively impacted by the community around him. He hopes that his work with Project Libertad will be a way for him to pay this forward. 

Priscilla Rodriguez
Adult ESL Program Coordinator
priscilla@projectlibertad.org

Priscilla has been with Project Libertad since the Fall of 2019. Having lived in cities like New York and Philadelphia all of her life, she understands the beauty and vibrancy of being part of an immigrant community. She brings this passion to her work with Project Libertad. Previous to her involvement with Project Libertad, Priscilla has also worked with Students Helping Honduras as part of their leadership team based in New York City. Volunteering has always been, and continues to be, something that drives her.

Camille Van Kote, Esq.

Intake Supervisor, Immigrant Children's Defense Project

camille@projectlibertad.org

Camille currently lives in France, and she is licensed as an attorney in Texas. She has  many years of experience as an immigration attorney, including as an Equal Justice Works Fellow. Most recently, she was the Executive Director at Esperanza Immigration Legal Services. Camille is now on the Project Libertad Board of Directors.

Jessica Arana

Legal Intern, Immigrant Children's Defense Project
​
​jessica@projectlibertad.org

Jessica is a law student at Drexel University's Thomas R. Kline School of Law with a strong interest in immigration law. Home is Dallas, Texas, but her family is from El Salvador. She has a Corgi mix named Vayena, who is her bodyguard. She loves Sci-Fi and Korean Horror movies. Jessica has volunteered with Al Otro Lado and interned with the ACLU and previously worked in IT.

Ed Santana
Legal Assistant, Immigrant Children's Defense Project
ed@projectlibertad.org

Ed is from a small coastal town in the east of Puerto Rico. He is an undergraduate student at Drexel University double majoring in Sports Business and Legal Studies. His hobbies are playing basketball, surfing and reading. He is very passionate about helping others and learning about new cultures and experiences. He is excited to be a part of this incredible team.