Kelly Maharaj, a national of Trinidad and Tobago, has over a decade of experience in education, political analysis, dispute resolution, and monitoring and evaluation within international organizations. She joined CAO following extensive fieldwork in conflict and post-conflict settings with United Nations peacekeeping and special political missions in Haiti and Colombia. Additionally, she contributed to the protection of human rights through her work with the precautionary measures mechanism of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights at the Organization of American States.

Kelly holds a Master’s degree in International Relations with a focus on Foreign Policy and Security Studies from Florida International University. She also earned a Bachelor of Arts in Latin American Studies and Spanish, graduating with First Class Honors from the University of the West Indies.