Staff

Ayman joins the Center for Worker Justice of Eastern Iowa as the newly appointed Executive Director, bringing a wealth of experience and expertise. With a background in community-based and grassroots efforts, Ayman is well-prepared to tackle the challenges faced by labor and social rights advocacy organizations. His past roles as an Iowa City community outreach specialist and Co-founder of the Global Food Project demonstrate his ability to identify and address community needs effectively. Ayman has also undergone professional training at UI, recognizing its importance in achieving organizational goals. As a member of the Johnson County Food Policy Council and Iowa City’s community staff, he has demonstrated exceptional leadership and effective management of grant programs. Ayman’s passion for multicultural environments, combined with his strong planning skills, will greatly contribute to the Center for Worker Justice’s mission. We have full confidence that his leadership will propel our organization forward.

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Board of Directors

Marcela Hurtado has been active in CWJ since its founding. She has been part of leadership teams involved in organizing all of CWJ’s major campaigns, has planned and facilitated numerous planning meetings, trainings, events, and actions over the past nine years, and frequently served as CWJ’s public spokesperson. She is originally from Mexico, has worked in the hospitality industry, and is the mother of three children. In her freetime, Marcela enjoys making her own special tamales. She is involved in community enterprise within CWJ and she was the president of the board of directors for four years.

Gregory Hearns is the President of the Iowa City Federation of Labor. He rose through the ranks as a rank-and-file member of the Teamsters Union and served as a Business Agent of Teamsters Local 238 for years before recently retiring from that position. He is a longtime volunteer member of the CWJ finance committee.

Charlie is currently serving as the Treasurer of the Center for Worker Justice and is an active supporter of the Forest View Tenants Association. He serves on the Iowa City Community School District school board and is a member of The Black Voices Project, the Johnson County Interfaith Coalition and has previously served on the Iowa City Housing and Community Development and Planning and Zoning Commissions.

Bijou Maliabo has been an outspoken community activist for more than 7 years now. She is well known as an advocate for immigrants and refugees across Iowa and has spent most of her waking hours serving the communities of Eastern Iowa in any way possible. Her passion for serving others has ushered her into leadership for several non-profit and social justice groups including The Human Right Commission, The Congolese Health Partnership (CHP), Program Management Plus with the University of Iowa for Refugees, The Center for Worker Justice (CWJ), & The UNA-Johnson County chapter. She has also lent her professional ability to speak 5 languages to the school district, Iowa Human Services, the Johnson County court system, and multiple police precincts in the area. She is a deeply passionate about helping others and serves as a mentor for multiple youth across the nation and abroad. She is eager to use her voice and employ her experience to empower others and inspire change by supporting others and giving back to the community.

Elizabeth Bernal joined the Board in 2018. Bernal works at Iowa City School District as a Latino Liaison. While there she has helped children and their parents advocate for their needs and experiences in the public-school system through translation, advocacy, and general assistance with parents in English as a second language. As a community leader and advocate in the Iowa City Community School District, Bernal joins the CWJ Board at a time when student advocacy and grassroots movements begin to take off in our young organizing community.

Maria Cachua is originally from Mexico. She is a full-time mother of two and has been a leader in organizing the Center for Worker Justice and conducting outreach on CWJ’s behalf in the local Latino community. She is an active member of Grupo Javes, a support and advocacy group for mothers of Latino children with disabilities. She also started her own bakery business called Cachuas Cake. Maria also participates in community enterprise within CWJ. She currently serves on CWJ’s Financial and Social Committees.

Robin Clark-Bennett is a labor educator and Director of the University of Iowa Labor Center. She has 30 years of experience in the labor movement as an organizer, regional organizing director, staff representative, and educator. She is a co-founder of the Center for Worker Justice and continues to support CWJ leaders by developing educational materials, classes, and information about the labor and employment rights of Iowa workers, as well as organizing and leadership development programming.

Loxi Hopkins has been a full time volunteer in the Social Action Department of the Catholic Diocese of Davenport for the past 18 years. She is a board member of TeamCan, The Lincoln Center, Progressive Action for the Common Good, Iowans for Immigrant Freedom, and active member of One Human Family and Juvenile Justice coalition. Loxi was part of the advisory committee for the formation of Center for Worker Justice of Eastern Iowa and is happy to have been chosen for the Board.

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Royce Peterson is married with two adult Sons. Royce is a proud member of Carpenters Union Local 1260 in Iowa City where he has served on the Executive Board and as a Business Representative for several years. Royce is a labor advocate in the Local Community and love learning other cultures and Heritage.

Margarita Baltazar joined the CWJ board in 2017 after being active for several years in CWJ’s minimum wage and affordable housing campaigns. She is currently president of the Forest View Tenants’ Associate and has been instrumental in organizing mobile home park residents to negotiate favorable new housing as part of a major redevelopment of the neighborhood. She is originally from Mexico and currently works in the fast food industry to support her daughter.

Ali Ahmed is a long-time board member and co-founder of CWJ who has been active in CWJ Community ID, minimum wage, and civil rights campaigns. He was a member of the Iowa City Human Rights Commission from 2013-2016, is a member of the Sudanese Community Association’s Board of Directors since 2012, and is now a Board member of the Iowa Valley Global Food Project. He is originally from Sudan and now lives in Iowa City. He works as a taxi cab driver and is a father of 3 children. Ali was the former president of Sudanese American Community Services.