Lauren Stewart
About Lauren Stewart
Lauren Stewart serves as the Regional Program Director for Latin America at the Solidarity Center, where she oversees labor rights programs and provides analysis on regional labor trends. She has a background in international politics and has testified before Congress on labor rights issues in Haiti.
Current Role at Solidarity Center
Lauren Stewart serves as the Regional Program Director for Latin America at Solidarity Center, a position she has held since 2020. In this role, she oversees a portfolio that includes programs focused on organizing, collective bargaining, and the enforcement of labor rights provisions in trade agreements. Stewart has adapted regional programming to address the needs of vulnerable workers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. She also provides analysis on regional labor trends and briefs U.S. government officials on matters related to U.S. foreign policy.
Previous Positions at Solidarity Center
Lauren Stewart has held multiple positions at Solidarity Center prior to her current role. She worked as a Program Assistant for Latin America from 2007 to 2008, and later served as a Program Officer from 2009 to 2013. Following that, she was a Senior Program Officer from 2015 to 2019. Her experience in these roles contributed to her expertise in labor rights and program management within the organization.
Education and Expertise
Lauren Stewart holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Politics from Penn State University, which she completed from 2001 to 2005. She also earned a Master of International Service in International Negotiation and Conflict Resolution from American University between 2016 and 2018. Her educational background supports her work in labor rights and international relations, enhancing her capacity to lead programs effectively.
Testimony and Advocacy
In 2020, Lauren Stewart testified before the Subcommittee on Trade of the U.S. House Committee on Ways and Means regarding labor rights enforcement in Haiti, particularly in the context of trade preference programs. She provided written testimony on the Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act, highlighting her involvement in advocating for labor rights at a national level.
Language Proficiency
Lauren Stewart is proficient in Spanish and speaks conversational Haitian Creole. This language ability enhances her effectiveness in communicating with diverse stakeholders in Latin America and contributes to her role in managing regional programs.