Bonnie Abaunza

vice president, Participant Media

Bonnie Abaunza joined Participant as Vice President, Campaign Development & Operations in May, 2007, where she is responsible for the creation and implementation of advocacy campaigns for Participants films. Prior to Participant, Bonnie served for six years as Director of the Artists for Amnesty program for the United States headquarters of Amnesty International, cultivating relationships with celebrity spokespeople interested in leveraging their visibility to support critical human rights and social justice issues and raising Amnesty Internationals visibility, enhance organizational diversity and attract a new generation of activists through the power of popular media. During her time as Director, Artists for Amnesty has produced four film festivals, four Academy Awards viewing parties to benefit Amnesty, quarterly entertainment industry salons, more than 50 high-profile feature and documentary screening events, and numerous fundraisers, art showings, and educational and promotional events. Bonnie graduated from UCLA in 1986 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science, with specialization in International Relations. Recipient of the 2004 Hispanic Heritage Award given by PBS affiliate KCET Los Angeles and Union Bank of California for her singular contributions to the arts and the Latino community, she has also received commendations from the United States Congress (House of Representatives) and from the City of Los Angeles. She currently serves as Board Chair, Artists for Amnesty and on the Board of Casa Libre/Freedom House operated by the Center for Human Rights and Constitutional Law.