The Quaker UN Office (QUNO) Geneva is delighted to announce that after a thorough international recruitment process, we have appointed Laurel Townhead as Director. Laurel brings long and deep experience of working with the United Nations and with QUNO, having joined QUNO in 2014 as our Human Rights and Refugees Representative. She has combined this with being Interim Director for the last year, making an excellent start on strengthening QUNO to engage with a UN system in crisis. Prior to working with QUNO, Laurel was Policy and Campaigns Manager for Women in Prison. Her first degree was in Law and Politics from the University of Manchester, followed by a Master’s degree in International Human Rights Law at the University of Essex.

Laurel's appointment to the permanent post is effective from 1 September 2025.

Helen Drewery & Saskia Kuhlman
Co-Clerks, Quaker United Nations Committee (Geneva)

Tim Gee, General Secretary of Friends World Committee for Consultation, said:

I can think of no one better suited for the role. I am certain that Laurel's unique skills and experience will guide the organization through the challenging multilateral landscape, while upholding the true witness of the global Quaker community.

Paul Parker, Recording Clerk for Quakers in Britain, said:

This appointment is excellent news. Laurel Townhead's strong track record in advancing human rights, her long experience of the United Nations' processes and structures, and her deep personal commitment to Quaker faith and practice mean she is just the right person to lead QUNO Geneva. The UN is at a critical point in its history and Laurel's wisdom is much needed. I'm looking forward to working with her in her new role.

Sarah Clarke, Director of QUNO New York, said:

Laurel brings a deep understanding of both the UN and Quaker values and practices. In this moment, when multilateralism is under threat, I can imagine no better partner who will continue our ongoing joint efforts to lift up Quaker concerns and strengthen the UN’s role for peace and justice.

The staff team at QUNO Geneva said:

As fellow colleagues, we could not be more delighted at the news of Laurel's appointment as Director.  We trust her leadership and vision for QUNO and are excited to embark on the journey to take QUNO forward together.

Laurel herself said:

In this time of heightened risk to peace and justice and increased fragility in the multilateral systems intended to mitigate these risks, I believe firmly in the value of Quaker witness from our communities through to our governing structures. I am both excited and humbled by the opportunity to bring Friends’ radical faith in peace and equality into the UN and into shaping the changing structures of the UN. I look forward to working with our staff and Committee to shape QUNO to meet this moment in multilateralism and the decades ahead.