Our Staff

Get to know our global team at The Christensen Fund, made up of experts in topics such as Indigenous law, human rights, environmental issues, finance, philanthropy, and social welfare. Together, we are united in supporting the global Indigenous Peoples’ Movement to advance the inherent rights, dignity, and sovereignty of Indigenous Peoples.

Get to know our global team at The Christensen Fund, made up of experts in topics such as Indigenous law, human rights, environmental issues, finance, philanthropy, and social welfare. Together, we are united in supporting the global Indigenous Peoples’ Movement to advance the inherent rights, dignity, and sovereignty of Indigenous Peoples.

Carla F. Fredericks

Chief Executive Officer

Carla F. Fredericks, an expert in sustainable development, human rights, and Indigenous law, is an enrolled citizen of the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation. With extensive litigation experience, she has authored studies on development and Indigenous rights. Carla has enhanced Indigenous rights nationally, supporting the UN Special Rapporteur on Indigenous Peoples' Rights, advising the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, and aiding the Maya of Belize in land rights and consent processes. Through the Investors & Indigenous Peoples Working Group, she has promoted human rights in capital markets and improved environmental and social risk frameworks.

Casey Box

Director, Global Strategy

Casey, Director of Global Strategy at The Christensen Fund since 2021, specializes in Indigenous rights, participatory grantmaking, and environmental advocacy. He has expanded global grantmaking to Indigenous-led organizations and support for Indigenous-led funds. Casey leads The Christensen Fund's involvement in the $1.7 billion Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities Forest Tenure Pledge (IPLC) from COP26. Before this role, he was Executive Director of Land is Life, a global NGO supporting Indigenous Peoples' self-determination, bringing over a decade of relevant experience.

David Allen

Controller

David Allen, Controller at The Christensen Fund since 2020, oversees accounting and financial procedures, ensuring resources are safeguarded with a mission-aligned approach. Previously, he managed operations and compliance at a Bayview District charter school in San Francisco, contributing to addressing educational inequity. Bringing a decade of nonprofit financial management experience, David, adopted from South Korea, celebrates his Korean and Midwestern roots. Residing in San Francisco with his family, he holds degrees from Kent State University and the Methodist Theological School in Ohio, and enjoys cycling.

Hassan Roba

Director, Kenya Strategy

Hassan, The Christensen Fund's director of Kenya strategy since 2014, previously worked as a senior research scientist at the National Museums of Kenya, focusing on participatory resource governance and Indigenous knowledge. He held postdoctoral positions at the University of Bergen and the University of Kassel's DITSL, where he continues research and supervises graduate students. With a Ph.D. from the Norwegian University of Life Sciences and an MSc from Addis Ababa University, Hassan is fluent in Swahili, English, and Borana, and resides in Nairobi with his family.

Matt Aguiar

Chief Financial and Operating Officer

Matt leads financial and operational functions at The Christensen Fund since 2019, enhancing organizational effectiveness. Previously COO at CollegeSpring, he expanded its reach by 40%. At Reading Partners, he contributed to its growth across six states over nine years. Earlier, as Director of Scholarships at UC Berkeley Alumni Association, he managed a major volunteer program. Matt holds a degree from UC Berkeley, has executive education from Harvard, and lives in Oakland with his family, enjoying the outdoors.

Shannon Dworsky

Program Coordinator

Shannon is the Program Coordinator for The Christensen Fund, where she supports the program team and leadership in empowering Indigenous peoples to advance their inherent rights, dignity, and self-determination. A graduate of the University of Phoenix with a bachelor’s degree in organizational psychology, Shannon brings a wealth of experience in project management to her current position.

Shawn Watts

Director, Strategic Initiatives

Shawn, a legal expert dedicated to Indian law, joined The Christensen Fund in 2021. Formerly directing tribal law centers at Kansas University and teaching at Columbia Law School, he specializes in integrating traditional tribal justice practices. As a Cherokee Nation citizen and Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation district court judge, Shawn also trains diplomats for the United Nations on Indigenous Peoples' issues. Based in Kansas City, Missouri.

Stanislava Stancheva

Director, Partnership Strategy

Stanislava joined The Christensen Fund in 2013, leading values-aligned and trust-based grantmaking efforts. With degrees in International Economics and Political Science, she previously worked on designing grantmaking and technical assistance programs for the European Commission. Stanislava is based in California and enjoys spending time with her three children.

Tatiana Amor

Director, Mexico Strategy

Tatiana joined The Christensen Fund in 2017 with over two decades of experience supporting Indigenous communities in Latin America. She specializes in Indigenous rights advocacy and territory protection strategies. Working across Mexico, she strengthens holistic approaches for Indigenous self-determination. Tatiana holds a PhD in Social Anthropology, focusing on Indigenous territories and land rights. Outside of work, she enjoys family, dogs, and books.

Taylor Murnane

Board and Administrative Liaison

Taylor is the Board and Administrative Liaison for The Christensen Fund, where she supports the Office of the CEO and Board of Trustees in furthering the organization's purpose of supporting Indigenous Peoples in advancing their inherent rights, dignity, and self-determination. With bachelor’s degrees in social work and public relations, she has worked the entirety of her career within the non-profit sector – spending most of that time focused on non-profit events.