Yasmin Dwedar, former supervising attorney at the Crime Victims Treatment Center in Brooklyn, New York, has joined Vermont Legal Aid as executive director. In her new role, Dwedar will manage the organization's day-to-day operations and lead fundraising programs and advocacy as well as marketing and community-engagement initiatives.
“We are thrilled to welcome Yasmin as our new executive director,” said Erin Jacobsen, president of the VLA Board of Trustees. “She will bring experience, enthusiasm, great communication skills and an innovative spirit to our organization. We feel very lucky to have found her and look forward to a successful and invigorating chapter with Yasmin at the helm.”
Dwedar has dedicated her career to public interest and social justice work. With over a decade of experience working to advance justice, equity and inclusion for the underrepresented, underprivileged and marginalized, she is unwavering in her commitment to work alongside VLA staff to address the needs of Vermonters and expand meaningful access to justice for all. She has spent more than half of her career leading legal teams and projects in nonprofits and public agencies.
Dwedar is a graduate of Hunter College and holds a master's in international studies from the City University of New York Graduate Center and a law degree from CUNY School of Law. She has received several awards and has been featured in various publications.