Cristosal’s work is carried forward by a multidisciplinary team committed to defending human rights, documenting abuses, and accompanying communities seeking justice across Central America.
Our staff and leadership work alongside survivors, defenders, and civil society organizations to strengthen accountability, preserve truth, and protect civic space in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras.
Staff
Cristosal’s work is carried forward by a multidisciplinary team of human rights defenders, researchers, psychologists, social workers, lawyers, communicators, and advocates based across Central America.
Our staff bring together diverse professional backgrounds in law, investigative research, forensic documentation, public policy, communications, and community organizing. Many have spent their careers accompanying victims of violence, confronting corruption, defending civic space, and strengthening democratic institutions.
Following the suspension of Cristosal’s operations in El Salvador in 2025 due to escalating repression, members of our Salvadoran team continue their work from our offices in Guatemala.
The team includes legal experts, journalists, Indigenous community members, political and social scientists, protection specialists, and advocates with deep knowledge of the political and social realities of El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. Many have personal and professional ties to the communities most affected by human rights abuses.
Together, they combine rigorous investigation, legal expertise, and public advocacy to defend rights, document abuses, and support those seeking justice across the region.
Leadership
Noah Bullock
Executive Director
Noah Bullock is the Executive Director of Cristosal, a regional organization with 25 years of experience in the defense of human rights and a presence in Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador. He joined Cristosal in 2005 as a human rights intern, shortly after graduating from the University of Montana with a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies, with an emphasis in Peace and Conflict Studies. In 2001, he also completed a program at the International Conflict Research Institute (INCORE), a joint initiative of the University of Ulster in Northern Ireland and the United Nations University. From 2006 to 2009, he directed Cristosal’s Community Development Program while pursuing further academic studies. In 2009, he earned a postgraduate degree in Local Development from the José Simeón Cañas Central American University, graduating cum laude. That same year, he initiated the documentary project For a More Humane World, focused on internal displacement, serving as executive producer until its release in April 2010. Since 2010, Noah has served as Cristosal’s Executive Director, a position he continues to hold today.
David Holiday
Board President
For over 35 years, David Holiday has supported democratic governance in Latin America as an analyst/researcher, advocate, and international donor on issues of civil society, human rights, the rule of law, and transparency and accountability. Between 1991 and 2005, he lived and worked in El Salvador and Guatemala.
Board of Directors
Cristosal’s Board of Directors brings together leaders with experience in human rights, law, governance, philanthropy, public policy, research, and civil society. The board provides strategic guidance, institutional oversight, and long-term stewardship of Cristosal’s mission.
Working in close partnership with the executive leadership and staff, board members help strengthen the organization’s capacity to accompany survivors, defenders, and communities seeking justice. Their support ensures that Cristosal’s work remains principled, rigorous, and responsive to the realities facing human rights defenders across Central America.
Together, they contribute expertise, accountability, and sustained commitment to the defense of truth, justice, and democratic life in the region.
Board Members
David Holiday
Steve Adams
The Rev. Bob Wilson
Brenda Pfahnl
Alyson Welch
Beth McFadyen
Clare Gibson Nangle
Hannah Odell
Jose Miguel Cruz
The Rev. Joshua Case
Kevin Murray
Megan Thomas
Riley Grim
Rob Varenik
Tamara Taraciuk
