A WORLD MADE BETTER

Deputy, Country Support and Leadership Studio

I have more than 20 years of experience from a number of hardship field operations and the humanitarian hub in Geneva. I have worked with a number of UN agencies, NGOs and the Red Cross/Crescent Movement during my career, and with the leadership in a number of operations.

I see great opportunities in bringing academic and private sector knowledge and methods to the practical humanitarian and development sector, and to leadership particularly. And look forward to working on a number of different initiatives with GELI.

In my non-professional life, you will find me enjoying the mountain life on skis in the winter, and bikes in the summer.

Executive Director 

I am a humanitarian practitioner and executive leadership coach, with over 30 years of experience working in humanitarian emergencies primarily in Africa and the Middle East. I have served the United Nations in various capacities including as Regional Humanitarian Coordinator - ASG for the Syria crisis (2017-2019), as Director of the IASC Peer to Peer initiative (2013-2017), as UNHCR’s Regional Refugee Coordinator for the Syria situation (2012 - 2013), as Humanitarian Coordinator in Libya (2011), and as Director for UNRWA Syria (2006 - 2009).

I am a firm believer in the role that ethical leadership plays in creating transformation; for oneself, one’s team and most importantly, for the people we serve.

I am a proud father of three wonderful children. I love sailing and being in and around the sea.

Deputy, Operations and Leadership

I am a project manager, with over 15 years of experience working in the humanitarian and development sector in support of the U.S. Agency for International Development.  Since 2017, I have supported the conceptualization, implementation, and management of GELI.  Prior roles include Deputy Program Manager for a humanitarian assistance support contract (2016-2017), Information Support Unit Manager overseeing global humanitarian reporting (2013-2016), and Information Officer for worldwide humanitarian crises and the Haiti development portfolio (2008-2012).

I believe that relationship building and collective learning can transform leadership approaches and benefit the people we serve.

I am a mother and enjoy running.

Strategic Communications Officer

I specialise in humanitarian and purpose driven strategic communications, with over a decade of experience covering a wide range of issues such as migration, health, education, and gender equality. Before joining GELI, I designed and ran global campaigns for the UN Refugee Agency in Geneva, managed strategy and communications for a number of high profile clients and philanthropists at Portland Communications in London, and served as spokesperson for the World Food Programme and the UN Refugee Agency based out of Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq and Turkey.

I am a proud media@LSE alumna and an even prouder olive oil and zaatar enthusiast.

Programme Management Coordinator 

I have worked in support of USAID since 2019 providing coordination and administrative functions to support system-wide humanitarian initiatives, such as leadership development.  I have contributed to GELI since 2020 around programme management, curriculum development, and leadership-based research activities. Prior to GELI, I worked at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), U.S. Department of State, and the Permanent Mission of Malta to the United Nations. I hold a M.A. in Diplomacy and International Relations from Seton Hall University.

In my spare time, you can find me at one of the many museums that Washington, D.C. has to offer.

Information Systems Officer

I am a software engineer with 12 years of experience in the private and humanitarian sectors. I have served the United Nations in various capacities, as Information System Officer for Food and Agriculture Organisation in SouthEast Asia (2010 - 2015), and as Information Systems Officer in the UNPOL in Africa (2017-2020), building software solutions to empower field colleagues in executing the missions mandates.

I strongly believe technology helps make a better world, by bringing cultures and communities together.

I am a proud father of two children, and husband to a wonderful human being. In my spare time, I love to get lost in the mountains.

Senior Training and Development Officer

I have over 10 years of experience leading numerous U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) learning initiatives, managing numerous instructional design teams, bridging unique technical needs with learning best practices. I currently support GELI in providing technical expertise on leadership development, and adult learning principles.

Prior to my work with USAID, I spent a decade helping organizations build learning programmes from the ground up, with an impressive track record of increasing training compliance, fostering continuous organizational improvement, enhancing leadership development, and developing creative learning solutions across a spectrum of organizational needs.

I am a proud mother and a veteran of the United States Air Force Reserves.

Deputy, Partnership and Outreach

I have over 15 years of experience in coordinating humanitarian response and partnership efforts within the United Nations and its partners. Prior to this, in similar functions within academia and with the non-profit sector in Canada.

I have dedicated my career to the agility and effectiveness of humanitarian and development response, most notably in my recent role with the UN Office for Humanitarian Affairs and in supporting the Inter-Agency Standing Committee’s efforts to support executive field leaders to drive efficient humanitarian field operations.

Stateless at the age of seven, I am now a dual national of Poland and Canada, and a proud wife and mother of four children.

Executive Assistant

Having joined GELI in 2020, I support programme development, research, and communications.

My previous experience includes more than two years working for the Syria Task Force of the German Federal Foreign Office, where I covered the political negotiations, displacement, and human rights. I also have experience working on protection of civilians with the International Committee of the Red Cross. I hold a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in International Relations.

I believe that behind every successful leader stands a strong team.

Outside of work, I am a pop culture aficionado and love attending concerts, reading, or going on long hikes.

Administrative Associate

I bring over 20 years of work experience to GELI. Prior to this I was with OCHA, responsible for the annual HC retreat and the SalesForce database that I helped build from a simple excel document! I have worked at Headquarters and in the field where I handled conferences, retreats, seminars and workshops with participants at various levels including Special Representatives of the Secretary-General. Prior to a UN career, I was in the Commercial sector of the French Consulate in India. A keen traveller from the onset, my first job was in a travel company. My current interests are weight training and physical well-being, studying Arabic and doodling.