Meet Our Staff
Hind Mari - Director
Hind's areas of expertise and interest include the intersections of social identities as well as all other social justice issues, cross-cultural communication, conflict resolution, and leadership training. She has presented on these topics both locally and nationally. Working at the Women of Color Leadership Network gives Hind the opportunity to work full time on these issues and to foster growth for young women of color.
Hind's previous experience includes working as the Assistant Director at the Center for Student Development, working with Registered Student Organizations; as Program Coordinator at the International Programs Office, overseeing the orientation program for international students; and teaching refugee students at UN schools.
Hind received her Bachelor's from An-Najah University in Nablus, Palestine. She was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship for her Master's studies, which she received along with her doctorate in Education, from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Her doctoral dissertation focuses on gender equity issues.
Outside her job, Hind enjoys her family and friends, as well as reading, writing and cooking.
Leslie A. Saulsberry
Having grown up in Michigan and Indiana, Leslie A. Saulsberry is a native of the Midwest. However, having a love for the South and life in the Caribbean, she has always found herself gravitating toward warmer climates. She has worked abroad and traveled extensively as she has indulged her passion for travel, culture, and cuisine. Leslie loves world music, jazz, Latin, Caribbean, and any fusion of the four. But, her real joy is her family—her nine year-old son—and her amazing journey as a woman of color.
Mariya Vichattu
Mariya is a sophomore studying Political Science at UMass Amherst. Coming from California, she is eager to embrace all that New England has to offer, including the cold weather! In her free time, she loves to dance with Dhadak Fusion Dance Team, volunteer, learn about other cultures, watch funny movies, and try new foods. With the WOCLN, Mariya aspires to learn and educate others on the issues facing women of color today. She hopes to empower women and help them in every way possible
Nia Decaille
Spending most parts of life in Atlanta and Boston, Nia Decaille is a humble mix of both Southern and Northern culture. Identifying as African American but also of Caribbean descent, her heritage makes her proud but also eager to learn more about herself and others. Nia enjoys a good New York Times best-seller, writing, and meeting new people. She hopes to begin her journey at UMass Amherst as a student of Journalism and Legal Studies major, to one day serve the global community as a civil and human rights attorney and author.
Patricia Leon-Valdez
Patricia Leon-Valdez is a Legal Studies major and a Psychology minor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She is a member of Latinos Unidos and plans to also become a member of HASA. Patricia was born in the Dominican Republic and moved to Lawrence, MA at the age of five. During her free time she likes to photograph and spend time with her family and friends. While at WOCLN, Patricia hopes to help women raise awareness about current issues, including legal matters that are of particular importance to women and can seriously affect their lives in terms of employment, health care, and family life.
Jamelia Willock
Jamelia is sophomore at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and a first generation college student of Antiguan descent. She is currently majoring in Psychology with an interest in child and adolescent mental health. This will be her first year working with Women of Color Leadership Network. She is looking forward to empowering women of color and being a source of support and guidance while acquriring many skills along the way.
