Thodleen Dessources earned degrees in International Studies and Political Science from the City College of New York, and was a Program Assistant for the Global Security and Cooperation Program at the Social Science Research Council (SSRC). In 2004, she spent time in Rwanda researching transitional justice issues and investigating the ramifications of the 1994 genocide on women survivors, through her work with the Rwandan Ministry of Gender and AVEGA- AGAHOZO (the Association of the Widows of the Genocide).

Most recently, before joining the ICTJ, Thodleen was a Program Associate at Human Rights Watch (HRW), where she worked with the organization’s Terrorism/Counterterrorism, Emergencies and Fellowship Programs.