Aurora’s Story
Aurora is led by Dr. Elise Rainer. Dr. Rainer is a former diplomat with the U.S. Department of State, where she managed and oversaw numerous human rights, democracy, and women’s empowerment programs. Upon leaving diplomacy, Dr. Rainer became a trained academic and now assists many international nonprofits and global organizations to implement effective community-based programs. She has worked throughout the Middle East, North and East Africa, Europe, and Latin America and offers over 20 years of experience in the democracy, human rights and governance sector. Dr. Rainer works with a network of experts to provide comprehensive and robust services for our clients.
Dr. Elise Rainer
Dr. Rainer is an assistant professor of international relations and former diplomat with the U.S. State Department, U.S. Mission to the United Nations, and USAID. Her work has shaped U.S. human rights foreign policy and human rights and democracy programs in North Africa and the Gulf. With a Ph.D. in International Studies, Dr. Rainer offers qualitative research methods expertise and writing and editing experience with multiple publications in peer reviewed journals. She was a Fulbright Scholar and Presidential Management Fellow and has curriculum design experience for online and in-person university courses. Her expertise includes gender and diplomacy, human rights and security, the Kurdish diaspora, nationalism, European Union institutions and Scandinavian politics, LGBTI rights, and U.S. foreign policy formation.