Press Release
Published on June 19, 2019
New York City—In honor of World Refugee Day Human Rights First today announced that Sanja Partalo, Senior Vice President of Corporate Strategy and Digital Development at marketing giant WPP, has joined its Board of Directors. Partalo, who came to the United States from Bosnia at the age of sixteen through a refugee resettlement program, brings a wealth of knowledge and an abundance of passion for Human Rights First’s core issues.
“Sanja is both a brilliant mind in a cutting-edge field and a tenacious champion for the vulnerable. Her life story demonstrates the incredible things that happen when the United States welcomes those who bravely come to our shores seeking protection from violence and persecution. By working to make our country better, Sanja’s refugee story has come full circle. I can think of no one better suited for our Board,” said Human Rights First’s President and CEO, Michael Breen. “With Sanja as part of our leadership, Human Rights First will go further towards ensuring America will live up to its promise.”
WPP is the world’s largest marketing services company, operating in 112 countries with $20 billion in revenues. Partalo is responsible for developing and executing WPP’s growth strategy through creation of new digital capabilities, minority investments, acquisitions and strategic partnerships. Prior to joining WPP, Partalo was an award-winning marketer with experience across industry leading brands including Google, Coca Cola, Spotify, and Dell.
“I came to United States at the age of 16, having spent two previous years living in refugee camp and another two in war-torn Bosnia & Herzegovina. America gave me the opportunity to have a normal life, once again,” said Partalo. “Human Rights First fights every day to protect and secure this same opportunity for refugees like me—people who have lost everything and are pulling themselves up by their bootstraps to start all over again. Especially today, on World Refugee Day, I am incredibly honored and excited to join the Human Rights First board.”
Partalo serves on the boards of Fatherly and SubVRsive and has previously served on the board of Gimlet and YouEarnedIt. She holds an MBA from Columbia Business School, where she serves as an Adjunct Professor of Marketing.
