Annelise Demers ‘27

Annelise Demers, originally from Rhode Island, works closely with her advisor, Fr. Emmanuel Katongole, and is actively involved with the Bethany Land Institute (BLI), an NGO in Uganda that focuses on sustainable land use, environmental conservation, and community development. Through this work, Demers has gained valuable experience in grassroots organizing, project management, and cross-cultural collaboration. She has also participated in various programs that enhance her expertise in international development, peacebuilding, and environmental sustainability. On campus, Demers is an active member of the student paper, The Observer, pickleball club and hall government. She is also a Klau Institute Civil and Human Rights Leadership Program Fellow, where she works with the South Bend Reparatory Justice Commission. The Commission studies aspects of reparatory justice for the harms and injustices experienced by African Americans and other Black people of African descent in the local community.