Erika joined Tahirih in 2019. As the Client Services & Operations Coordinator, Erika provides critical operational and administrative support to the San Francisco office, including day-to-day office administration, development, and financial duties. She also supports our client services and conducts preliminary screenings of service seekers, assists with client referrals, and supports our volunteer program. Prior to joining Tahirih, Erika worked as an Agency Customer Service Representative, Agency Producer, and Office Manager with Farmers Insurance Agency. and eight extensive years as a Retail Manager at Hugo Boss US. 

“I am inspired by Tahirih’s vision of a gender-equal society and mission to defend Immigrant Women’s rights. And honored to be part of an organization that empowers immigrants who are a vulnerable group and are routinely denied basic rights.”

Education: Gavilan College, A.A. Associate Business Administration

Languages: Spanish

Hometown: Gilroy, CA

Meghan Berman joined Tahirih in 2021. As an Immigration Attorney in the San Francisco Bay Area office, Meghan provides legal counsel and representation to immigrants who are survivors of gender-based violence in cases including asylum, Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), U Visa, and other immigration remedies. Prior to joining Tahirih, Meghan worked as an immigration attorney at Immigration Center for Women and Children and La Raza Centro Legal. Meghan studied abroad in Madrid, Spain during her time at Stanford University.

“I am passionate about advancing and defending immigrants’ rights.”

Education: New York University School of Law, JD; Stanford University, BA

Languages: Spanish

Hometown: Minneapolis, MN

After first partnering with Tahirih as a pro bono attorney in the Afghan Asylum Project in 2021, Amanda officially joined the Tahirih team in 2024. As a Staff Attorney in the San Francisco Bay Area office, Amanda represents women, girls, and other survivors of gender-based violence with a focus on labor trafficking survivors in asylum cases and related immigration remedies. Prior to joining Tahirih, Amanda worked as a Corporate Associate at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, where she maintained a robust pro bono practice, representing clients across the country in affirmative and defensive asylum proceedings. Right after law school, Amanda also served as Law Clerk to the Honorable Patricia Breckenridge at the Supreme Court of Missouri.

Tahirih’s unending devotion to women and girls fleeing violence is incredibly noble. Because gender is not a specified ground for asylum under current laws, Tahirih plays a leading role in ensuring that brave individuals who face or fear gender-based persecution are given the agency needed to live their lives on their own terms.

Education:University of California, Davis, School of Law, JD; Northwestern University, BA

Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri

Payal joined Tahirih in 2021. As Managing Attorney for Tahirih San Francisco Office, she provides legal representation to survivors of gender based violence, mentors pro bono attorneys & oversees the San Francisco pro bono program, and manages the legal team. Prior to joining Tahirih, Payal served as a Managing Attorney at Peace Over Violence, Los Angeles, CA. She is a distinguished Women in Policy Fellow, where she had the opportunity to work on CA bills AB 865: Mandatory CSEC training for Resource families (Approved by Governor in October 2019) and SB 493: Gender Equity in Education: Sexual Harassment and Sexual Violence, a bill that will protect California students’ civil rights (Approved by Governor in Oct 2020). Also, she serves as an Executive Board Member and a Co-Chair at the Immigration Committee at the International and Immigration Section (CLA) and as an advisor for the California Young Lawyer’s Association. She has been awarded CA Senate Certificate for her work in the field of policy advocacy in 2018.

“I am inspired by Tahirih’s commitment to provide access to trauma informed, holistic services to overcome barriers that a gender based violence survivor endures in their journey.”

Education: USC Gould School of Law, LL.M

Languages: English, Hindi

Hometown: New Delhi, India