Who We Are
Justice is Global was founded by organizers, academics, and faith leaders in 2015 in Chicago. Led by Tobita Chow and Jake Werner, they identified a gap in the progressive movement ecosystem in the post-Occupy Wall Street moment with respect to the global economy and addressing our shared problems across borders.
Following news of surging right-wing nationalist victories in the UK, India, Brazil, and eventually Trump’s election in 2016, the movement was able to build popular support for progressive internationalism locally and became a project of People’s Action a progressive network organizing for structural reforms across the US in 2019.
Who We Are
Justice is Global was founded by organizers, academics, and faith leaders in 2015 in Chicago. Led by Tobita Chow and Jake Werner, they identified a gap in the progressive movement ecosystem in the post-Occupy Wall Street moment with respect to the global economy and addressing our shared problems across borders.
Following news of surging right-wing nationalist victories in the UK, India, Brazil, and eventually Trump’s election in 2016, the movement was able to build popular support for progressive internationalism locally and became a project of People’s Action a progressive network organizing for structural reforms across the US in 2019.
OUR APPROACH
Vision
Our vision is to save the planet from climate catastrophe, to stop our politics from descending into further nationalist violence, and to build better lives for everyone. To do this we need a grassroots movement for global cooperation.
Read More
Strategy
Our strategy consists of three key pillars:
Build a grassroots movement to win material victories for global equity and sustainability
Make global solutions to global problems core to the progressive ecosystem
Advance progressive internationalist narratives to change the debate on global issues.
Read More
OUR APPROACH
Vision
Our vision is to save the planet from climate catastrophe, to stop our politics from descending into further nationalist violence, and to build better lives for everyone. To do this we need a grassroots movement for global cooperation.
Read More
Strategy
Our strategy consists of three key pillars:
Build a grassroots movement to win material victories for global equity and sustainability
Make global solutions to global problems core to the progressive ecosystem
Advance progressive internationalist narratives to change the debate on global issues.
Read More
Meet Our Leadership
-
![]()
Sandy Shan
DIRECTOR
Sandy has been organizing grassroots movements in the pan-asian diaspora since 2019. Her work is centered around relationship building, healing, and politicization for BIPOCs and immigrant communities that sets the stage for building and exercising power in public space. Previously, she conducted research into the roots of inequality in the political process. She holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from Northwestern University. -
![]()
VALENTINA DALLONA
POLITICAL DIRECTOR
Valentina is a labor and community organizer based in Baltimore, MD. Active in the student movements against austerity in Italy and the UK during the global financial crisis, she subsequently led campaigns around student healthcare, sexual assault and migrant justice in the U.S., and helped thousands of nurses win union elections throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Valentina holds Master’s degrees in Sociology from Johns Hopkins University and in Environment, Science and Society from University College London.
-
![]()
BEN LEVENSON
DEPUTY DIRECTOR
Ben has led Justice is Global’s grassroots organizing program, most recently spearheading a campaign for global vaccine access during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in History from Princeton University.
MEET OUR LEADERSHIP
-
DIRECTOR
Sandy has been organizing grassroots movements in the pan-asian diaspora since 2019. Her work is centered around relationship building, healing, and politicization for BIPOCs and immigrant communities that sets the stage for building and exercising power in public space. Previously, she conducted research into the roots of inequality in the political process. She holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from Northwestern University.
-
POLITICAL DIRECTOR
Valentina is a labor and community organizer based in Baltimore, MD. Active in the student movements against austerity in Italy and the UK during the global financial crisis, she subsequently led campaigns around student healthcare, sexual assault and migrant justice in the U.S., and helped thousands of nurses win union elections throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Valentina holds Master’s degrees in Sociology from Johns Hopkins University and in Environment, Science and Society from University College London.
-
DEPUTY DIRECTOR
Ben has led Justice is Global’s grassroots organizing program, most recently spearheading a campaign for global vaccine access during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in History from Princeton University.
