Johan Cavert is the 2024-2025 Human Impacts of Climate Change Programme Assistant. He holds a Bachelors degree in Economics, Spanish, and International Studies from Oberlin College in Ohio, USA. Driven by a passion for impactful policy research and reform, he hopes to create just and sustainable pathways to build a more resilient and equitable planet.

His work at QUNO supports global environmental justice and the development of solutions to the climate crisis that are grounded in values of nonviolence and equity. Most recently, he worked on USA domestic climate and energy issues as a policy analyst for a non-profit think tank in Washington D.C. Previous work and internship experience includes time with The Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, The Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota, and U.S. Congressional and Senate Offices. Johan completed a 2019 Humanity In Action Fellowship in the Netherlands and was a 2020-2021 Fulbright grantee in Mexico.
 

Virginie joined QUNO in November 2024, where she is responsible for the sound financial management of the Geneva office. Her expertise includes financial management of secretariat operations as well as international programmes, development of tools, policies and internal controls, financial planning & analysis, grant management, financial reporting to donors, senior management and board.

Prior to joining QUNO, Virginie held senior positions in the Swiss headquarters of various non-profit organizations with large global operations. She recently set-up and headed for 4 years the finances of the Global Survivors Fund. Before that, she was for 6 years at WWF-International, in charge of the Financial Planning & Analysis of operations across 40 countries. She also headed for 5 years the Programme Finance unit of MSF-Switzerland.
Earlier in her career, Virginie was based in the field in multiple conflict and post-conflict contexts, for humanitarian organizations such as MSF and ICRC, where she developed her in-depth knowledge of how to ensure a high standard of financial accountability, even in large operations, complex contexts and crisis situations.

Virginie holds a Master’s in Management from EDHEC graduate business school in France, and a Diploma of Advanced Studies in Management of Non-Profit Organizations from University of Geneva. She has also been teaching financial management of non-profits.

Virginie is not a Quaker, but she shares many of the core values they hold. For 2 years she has been treasurer on the board of Nonviolent Peaceforce, another quaker foundation. She is also in parallel highly committed to transmission of Holocaust memory to younger generations, and promoting a world of tolerance and peace.
 

Laurel has a degree in Law & Politics from the University of Manchester and a Masters in International Human Rights Law from the University of Essex. Laurel joined QUNO as Human Rights and Refugees Representative in 2014 and has over 15 years experience working on human rights protection nationally and through the UN human rights system, during which time she has worked on a wide range issues, including women’s rights and refugee protection. Immediately before coming to QUNO, Laurel was Policy and Campaigns Manager for Women in Prison; a role that included advocating for national implementation of the Bangkok Rules on the Treatment of Women Prisoners, which she contributed to drafting. At QUNO Laurel continues to work on human rights and criminal justice, with a focus on the rights of children of incarcerated parents. Laurel leads our work on human rights of migrants. Building on work to secure an ambitious, effective and human rights based Global Compact for Migration, Laurel focuses on how the UN system can better promote and protect the rights of migrants regardless of status. Laurel also takes forward our long term commitment to recognition of the right to conscientious objection to military service. Laurel is a Member of South East London Area Meeting.

Sophie holds a Master’s degree in Languages, a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Business Studies with Human resources, and a MBS in Internationalisation of Affairs from Waterford Institute of Technology, Ireland. Sophie first joined Shaza Hotels' headquarters (Kempinski branch) in Geneva in 2011 where she assisted two Vice-Presidents in Product Development and Technical Services, before serving the Executive operations' team with the opening of the first Shaza hotel in Al Madina, Saudi Arabia and other projects based in the United Arab Emirates. From 2016 to 2022, she then moved to a non-for-profit organisation, the Medicines Patent Pool, as office manager. Aiming at supporting access to affordable medicines in low-and-middle income countries, Sophie was responsible for the development and implementation of the Geneva offices' policies and procedures amongst various other human resources tasks under her responsibility. Sophie enters QUNO in September 2022, bringing over 10 years' office management experience and has competencies in planning and executing a range of services, including ensuring a smooth-running office, and overseeing arrangements for meetings and events. At QUNO Sophie will serve both institutional administrative needs and attend to the internal arrangements of the Director’s office. She is driven to work with people across the globe and diverse cultures. In her free time she gives support to people in needs and is involved in local, religious and youth communities. She is a passionate yogi and horse-rider, a proficient snowboarder and wakeboarder.