Gillian Wenhold

Database & IT Manager | She/her

As the Database & Information Technology Manager, Gillian manages and maintains FFI’s database and technology systems, while growing the functionality of VIANEY, FFI’s proprietary database system used to document human rights abuses in immigration detention.

She also supports with user training and tech support, and strengthening the use of technical tools to advance advocacy campaigns. She believes in the power of leveraging technology to reimagine the future through collaboration with folks who are directly impacted by the design of such systems. She joined the team in 2022.

Gillian is committed to dismantling harmful institutions, and she recognizes immigration detention and other carceral systems in the US as intrinsically tied to the nation’s foundation and history in white supremacy and settler colonialism. She believes that abolishing immigration detention and reinvesting in community-driven programs is necessary to end abusive systems and move toward collective liberation. Gillian is an active member in the Memphis community, where she works with various groups that create systemic change in the city. Specifically, her community work focuses on supporting youth organizers working to stop the school-to-prison pipeline, and building electoral power in communities that have traditionally been disenfranchised. 

During college, Gillian worked with a student-led street newspaper that employs people who are currently or formerly experiencing homelessness to contribute to and sell the paper. This experience led to a significant amount of personal and professional growth, and is also where she developed a strong interest in designing technical infrastructure to increase the sustainability of community programs. To pursue this interest, she took a job at a company that offered enrollment in a full-stack coding bootcamp. After finishing the program, she spent time as a full-stack developer and apprentice team lead, which included roles as a producteer, agile coach, and technical lead. She then transitioned to teaching the coding bootcamp in which she was previously enrolled. 

Gillian grew up in a suburb of Philadelphia, PA, and has been living in Memphis, TN for the past eight years. She has a BA in Greek & Roman Studies with minors in Urban Studies and Anthropology/Sociology, and is a graduate of the Flatiron software development bootcamp. In  her spare time, Gillian loves hiking, urban exploring (especially rooftops), and photography.