Governance and Staff

Laurel Townhead

Laurel serves as Director of QUNO Geneva. Since 2014 Laurel has been responsible for managing our work to uphold the dignity of all members of our human family and is currently also leading QUNO Geneva. Her programme work focuses on the human rights of migrants and supporting those who reject militarisation through the right to conscientious objection to military service.

Laurel has built over 20 years of experience working on the promotion and protection of human rights nationally and through the UN human rights system, on a range of issues including criminal justice, migration, refugee protection, children’s rights and women’s rights.

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 enjoys being in nature, snowshoeing and swimming in the lake (not usually in the same season) and being with her family (in any season).

Laurel is a Member of South East London Area Meeting and values aligning her work with Quaker witness.

Lindsey Fielder-Cook

Lindsey is the Interim Deputy Director and the Representative for the Human Impacts of Climate Change at QUNO Geneva.   Her work focuses on strengthening international efforts to urgently, equitably and healthily transform root causes driving planetary crises, including existential rates of global temperature rise, species extinction and chemical pollution.

Lindsey has over 25 years’ experience at the international level, first working on humanitarian and human rights protection in conflict zones, followed by climate change as a peace and justice concern.  Initially inspired by reconciliation work in Northern Ireland, an internship at QUNO New York and teaching at the Friends Schools in the Israeli Occupied West Bank, Lindsey went on to work with UNRWA on refugee protection, OHCHR (then UNCHR) on war atrocities in the Former Yugoslavia, UNOSOM in Somalia during the 1993 starvation, UNSCO in Gaza coordinating donor efforts during the Oslo Peace Accords, In Development UK to as programme support manager, and UNV to develop project communications. She published articles reflecting people’s life stories in conflict, and has written both fiction and non-fiction manuscripts.  She began working with QUNO Geneva in 2013.

Lindsey has an Honors degree in Politics from the Durham University (UK), a Masters Degree in Literature of Conflict from the York University (UK), and a Postgraduate Certificate (Merit) in Climate Change and Sustainable Development from De Montfort University (UK).  She is a Member of German Yearly Meeting and lives with her family in Germany.

Andrés Naranjo

Andrés serves as the Associate Representative for QUNO’s Sustainable and Just Economic Systems (SJES) programme. In this role, he develops and implements advocacy priorities, particularly focusing on the intersection of trade, sustainable development, and environmental challenges such as plastic pollution. His work centers on fostering systems that promote equity, sustainability, and justice in global economic governance.

Before joining QUNO, Andrés gained experience across various United Nations entities and international organizations. He worked with UNICEF as a junior analyst, benchmarking income growth opportunities, and supported projects in disarmament with UNODA and humanitarian action. Additionally, he contributed to academic research on sustainability and climate change, cultivating a multidisciplinary perspective on global issues. Andrés joined QUNO in 2021 as a Programme Assistant for both the SJES and Human Impacts of Climate Change (HICC) programmes. He was promoted to Programme Associate in 2023 and appointed Associate Representative in 2024.

Andrés holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Kenyon College, with a year abroad at the London School of Economics, and a double Master’s degree in International Relations from the Geneva School of Diplomacy & International Relations and the University of Business Innovation and Sustainability.

A dual national of Ecuador and Italy, Andrés enjoys exploring the interconnectedness of global challenges and is driven by a passion for justice, sustainability, and the power of human stories. In his free time, he enjoys playing football, hiking, reading, and spending time with loved ones.

Virginie Blumet

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 its core values. 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.

Sophie Naeye

As office manager, Sophie is accountable for assuming general responsibility for Quaker House, providing support to QUNO staff and programmes and overseeing all arrangements for QUNO meetings and events, under the guidance of the Director.

Prior to QUNO, from 2016 to 2022, Sophie supported access to affordable medicines in low-and-middle income countries, by joining the Medicines Patent Pool foundation as office manager, being responsible for the development and implementation of offices’ policies and procedures amongst various other human resources tasks under her responsibility.

Born in the North of France, Sophie studied in Ireland and graduated a Bachelor of Arts (B.A) in Business Studies in Languages and Marketing (2003), a B.A in Business Studies with Human resources (2005), and a M.B.S in Internationalisation of Affairs (2006).

Sophie is driven to work with multiculturally diverse cultures. She has two daughters and in her free time she is involved in local religious and youth communities. Equestrian and wakeboarding are her favorite outdoor activities.

Rachel Brett

Rachel Brett serves as Senior Technical Adviser, Human Rights and Refugees, for QUNO Geneva, in particular in relation to conscientious objection to military service.

She is a British Quaker, with a Masters degree in International Human Rights Law, and was QUNO Human Rights and Refugees Representative for many years.

Yvette Issar

Yvette Issar is a consultant with QUNO Geneva’s Peace and Disarmament Programme, supporting the Office’s work to highlight and promote accountability for the human rights impacts of arms transfers. This cross-cutting issue area requires building bridges between the realms of business, human rights and arms control to ensure that the profound suffering, destruction and loss of life caused by arms transfers is addressed. One way this can be achieved is through advocating for norms and standards on responsible business conduct to be applied to those engaging in arms transfers.

Yvette’s professional journey began in 2007 at QUNO Geneva, where she served as a Programme Assistant for the Peace and Disarmament Programme after graduating from Earlham College in Richmond, IN. That introduction to Quaker liaison work at the international level led her to remain in Geneva, and acquire sixteen years of experience in international humanitarian law, disarmament and multilateral affairs. She has worked in this time for several institutions, including the United Nations, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and the University of Geneva.

She holds an LL.M from the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights, and a Ph.D. in Law from the University of Geneva. A natural bridge-builder, Yvette fosters connections between people, disciplines, and themes to drive systemic transformation. In line with this commitment, she recently founded and directs The Olerai Lab, a company dedicated to fostering innovative, interdisciplinary collaborations for a safer and more sustainable world.

Recognizing the deep interconnection between personal healing and collective change, Yvette is currently pursuing specialized training in analytical psychology. She is also a founding member of The Emigrants, a well-loved folk band in Geneva. In work and life, she is guided by Quaker principles, and is a student of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh and the Plum Village tradition of engaged Buddhism.

Ronald Steenblik

Ronald Steenblik serves as the Senior Technical Advisor for the Sustainable and Just Economic Systems (SJES) programme at QUNO in Geneva, where since 2022 he has contributed his expertise on a pro-bono basis. Drawing on his decades of work related to environmentally harmful subsidies, Ronald is helping the SJES in its engagement with organizations such as the WTO and the UN on subsidies directed at fossil fuels and plastics, and supporting global efforts to reform those subsidies.

Prior to joining QUNO, Ronald had an extensive career at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), most recently and until his retirement in November 2018 as its Special Counsellor for Fossil Fuel Subsidy Reform. In this role, he led the OECD’s work on fossil fuel subsidies and their reform, guided interdisciplinary teams at the nexus of trade and the environment, and chaired the G20’s voluntary peer reviews of inefficient fossil fuel subsidies. Ronald’s earlier work also involved investigations into subsidies to agriculture, biofuels, and fisheries.

Ronald holds a Master’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania and currently resides in Paris, France.

Lydia Beauquis

Lydia has started with QUNO in July 2025 and is in charge of fundraising. She brings with her experience in fundraising, grant management, financial sustainability, communications, coaching, and programme management. She has worked with a wide range of organizations, including the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the International Committee of the Red Cross, the Netherlands Red Cross, WWF, as well as several smaller NGOs in the Netherlands, Switzerland, and several countries in Africa.

With a degree in communications, together with specialized training in fundraising and project management, Lydia is also as a certified translator in French and Dutch.

She is inspired by QUNO’s Quaker values of peace and justice and is committed to supporting efforts that address the root causes of conflict. In her role, Lydia will draw on her international experience and expertise to strengthen QUNO’s financial sustainability and ensure that QUNO’s work can continue to make a lasting impact.

Naya Alsheikh Hassan

Naya is a public international law specialist with a focus on International Humanitarian Law, refugee rights, and gender justice. She graduated cum laude with an LLM in Public International Law from Utrecht University and holds an LLB in European Law from Maastricht University. Naya’s professional experience spans legal research on inclusive governance at the One Family Foundation, workplace equity at ITX Nederland B.V., and EU asylum policy with the Boat Refugee Foundation.

Beyond her legal work, she served as Chair of the Gender Committee at Amnesty International Utrecht, leading initiatives on gender justice and human rights. Drawing from lived experience and rigorous legal training, Naya is dedicated to advancing inclusive humanitarian response and policies that restore dignity and justice for communities affected by conflict and displacement.

Daniela Campos

Daniela is a Political Scientist passionate about peacebuilding, environmental protection, and climate action. She holds a Master in International Law from Universidad de los Andes and a Master in Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School, where she was recognized with the International Human Rights Practitioners Fellowship and joined the Harvard Climate Leaders Program.

Her career has taken her from working as a Field Officer with the UN Verification Mission in Colombia, where she supported the implementation of the Peace Agreement, to UN Women and UNICEF, where she worked to amplify women’s and girls’ voices in Colombia’s National Congress. She has also supported UN-Habitat in Nairobi on its work on climate migration.

At QUNO, Daniela serves as Programme Assistant for the Human Impacts of Climate Change, supporting efforts to advance climate change as a peace and justice concern.

Sarah Clarke

Sarah serves as Director and UN Representative for the Quaker UN Office in New York. In this capacity, she leads QUNO’s engagement with the UN, diplomats, and civil society representatives, bringing Quaker practice and insights to the UN system. At the UN, she serves on the steering committees for the NGO Working Group on the Security Council and the NGO Working Group on Korea.

Previously, Sarah served as a Representative at QUNO from 2002 – 2014 before undertaking work with various peacebuilding actors in Myanmar, including the UN. In her work, Sarah brings a passion for building inclusive dialogue between stakeholders and strengthening engagement between non-state actors and international policymakers.

Sarah holds a graduate degree in International Political Economy from the London School of Economics and has worked in peacebuilding and conflict transformation for over twenty years.

While she spends much of her work week in New York, she resides with her family in Philadelphia and enjoys taking long walks with her dog.

Sarah is originally from Canada and is a member of Ottawa Monthly Meeting.

Kavita Desai

Kavita serves as a Quaker UN Representative with QUNO. In this capacity, she supports efforts to build relationships with Member States and other civil society organizations in order to advocate for sustainable peace. Prior to joining the team, she worked with the UN Foundation’s Global Policy Team where she supported UN processes around sustainable development and led engagement at the regional and global levels across development and human rights issues. Prior to that she was Adviser to the Permanent Mission of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste to the United Nations from 2010 to 2016, where she negotiated the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the 2030 Agenda, advocating for the adoption of SDG 16 on peaceful and inclusive societies.

Kavita holds a BA from Rutgers University College where she double majored in political science and art history, and a Juris Doctorate (JD) from Pace University Law School with certificates in environmental and international law.

Jessica Walker-Keleher

Jessica serves as a United Nations Representative in New York where she helps represent the insights, perspectives, and concerns of the Religious Society of Friends.

As a mediator and attorney, Jessica joins QUNO after decades of work in the field of human security (the intersection of conflict resolution, human rights, humanitarian aid, and development). She has worked both domestically and internationally – in Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Guinea, South Sudan, and Cuba – on related issues with universities, non-governmental organizations, and the United Nations. She has also supported the Confederated Salish, Kootenai, and Pend d’Oreille Tribal nations in asserting their rights to appropriate education for indigenous children.

Jessica attended Swarthmore College and, in addition to studying American Indian Law in law school, earned graduate degrees in Conflict Resolution from Antioch University, International Affairs from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, and International Education from Harvard University.

She is a member of Missoula Monthly Meeting in western Montana.

Bo Méndez

Bo serves as the Global Communications and Engagement Lead for QUNO’s two offices. Based out of the United States, Bo is responsible for developing key messaging and communications strategy for sharing news about QUNO’s work, as well as maintaining communications platforms, fundraising for the New York office, and conducting outreach to communities of Friends and partner organizations.

Prior to joining the QUNO team, Bo worked with a number of cultural and charitable organizations on programming and communications initiatives. His experiences include staging public programs about everything from structural racism to the history of hot sauce at Brooklyn Historical Society, developing communications focused on natural history at the Wagner Free Institute of Science, and managing multi-tiered international social media strategy with the American Friends Service Committee.

Bo attained his MA in Museum Studies and BA in Anthropology from New York University. He is committed to leveraging the human desire to learn into a catalyst to take action. He is also a heavy metal musician, a New York Marathon finisher, and a last-place contestant on Jeopardy!

Daulton Beck

Daulton Beck serves as the Office Coordinator at QUNO, where he manages daily operations in collaboration with the Representative for Operations, focusing on the organization’s financial administration. Additionally, he works closely with the Director to oversee the maintenance and upkeep of Quaker House.

Prior to joining QUNO, Daulton held various leadership and analytical roles. During his undergraduate studies, he served as Vice President of Communications for the Pi Lambda Phi fraternity. Following graduation, he gained experience in financial reporting for a mortgage company while leading a small team.

Daulton earned a Bachelor of Arts in International Politics with a minor in Psychology from Pennsylvania State University. His academic focus included Middle Eastern studies, with a particular emphasis on the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories.

Beyond his professional endeavors, Daulton is a passionate home cook and florist. He enjoys exploring local farmers’ markets in search of fresh ingredients and unique floral arrangements.

Nina Saaty

Nina holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in International Development and Environmental Studies from Tulane University. In her past work experience, she worked at the World Resources Institute (WRI) as part of the One Atmosphere Program within the Ross Center for Sustainable Cities, where she supported projects on air quality management, stakeholder engagement, and the socio-environmental impacts of pollution. She also worked with NASA’s DEVELOP National Program as a GIS Analyst, using Earth observation data to assess how climate change affects vulnerable communities. These opportunities exposed Nina to addressing development and climate challenges at global, national, and community levels, while strengthening her skills in research, data analysis, and science communication.

With her strong interest in the role of science in shaping policy, Nina seeks to harness her interdisciplinary background to advance sustainable development. She is particularly passionate about bridging the gap between scientific research and decision-making, ensuring that evidence-based approaches inform solutions that promote peace, justice, and long-term systemic change.

In her free time, Nina enjoys weightlifting, exploring new coffee shops around the city, spending time with friends, and attending as many concerts as possible.

Benjamin Tomas-Morgan

Benjamin (Ben) holds undergraduate degrees in International Law & Institutions and Near Eastern Languages & Cultures from Indiana University. Prior to joining QUNO, Ben’s interest in the Middle East brought him to Morocco where he spent a year as a Boren Scholar and National Arabic Flagship Capstone Fellow building his linguistic and regional competence before transitioning to support Arabic immersion programs from the University of Maryland and the University of Arizona. Additional professional experiences include his capstone research on Post-Conflict Justice in Iraq, as well as survey research with the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, the Center for Strategic Studies at the University of Jordan, and UN Women’s 2022 “International Men and Gender Equality Survey – Jordan.”

Ben hopes to utilize his time as a Programme Assistant to better understand the UN system and pursue his interest in civil society participation in international affairs. Moreover, he looks forward to opportunities for language exchange, exploring New York, and discovering new running and dining spots.