New York, August 17, 2022 —  The International Rescue Committee announces the appointment of Angela Mariana Freyre as Senior Vice President and General Counsel. Known as Manana, she will bring to the IRC over forty years of extensive and sophisticated global experience across public, private, and government sectors. As a refugee from Cuba, Manana brings personal experience of displacement and deep commitment to our cause.

Manana joins the IRC from the law firm Squire Patton Boggs. Previously she served as Special Advisor for Cuba Policy in the White House at the National Security Council, advising on the implementation of the Obama Administration’s new Cuba policy, and as Senior Vice President and General Counsel of the Export‐Import Bank of the United States, where she was responsible for the legal oversight of the Bank’s international activities, including cross‐border financing transactions. Additionally, her experience as external and internal counsel in the private sector, as well as significant appointments in public service, including the NYC Charter Revision Commission and NYC Conflicts of Interest Board, sets her up to be to be an outstanding leader of the IRC’s Office of General Counsel and Ethics & Compliance Unit, as well as contributor to the IRC’s Leadership Board.

David Miliband, President and CEO of the IRC, said:

“Manana is a proven leader who brings to the IRC a strong background in legal advice, guidance, and counsel, combined with strategic and operational expertise. This will support the IRC as we continue to design and build priorities and structures that best benefit our staff and the communities we serve. As a refugee from Cuba, Manana has a personal understanding of the experiences of people forced to leave their homes and move to a new society. We are excited to welcome Manana to the IRC.”

Angela Mariana Freyre (Manana) said:

“I am honored and privileged to be able to place my experience and skills at the service of the IRC’s noble mission and the communities it serves, and to collaborate with its excellent team."

Manana is a graduate of Georgetown University Law Center, the Université de Droit, d’Economie et des Sciences Sociales de Paris, and Wellesley College. She is fluent in Spanish and French and is based in New York City.

Please join the IRC in welcoming Manana to the organization.