Unser Team

Prior to being the Executive Director, Tiffany Easthom was Program Director for Nonviolent Peaceforce ‘s Middle East program, Country Director in South Sudan and prior to that for Sri Lanka. Tiffany holds a BA in Justice Studies and a MA Degree in Human Security and Peacebuilding from Royal Roads University in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. She also studied peacebuilding in the field in Uganda and served as Country Director for Peace Brigades International in Indonesia.

Prior to joining NP as Head of Mission in Sudan, Armstrong Evans served as Country Director in Sudan for Global Aid Partners International and held senior leadership positions in in South Sudan at Alight (formerly American Refugee Committee) and Save the Children as Head of Programmes and Programme Director.

Throughout his career, Armstrong Evans has provided strategic oversight and technical direction for critical protection initiatives. His experience spans General Child Protection, Gender-Based Violence (GBV), and Psychosocial Support, with a specialized focus on case management for minors and Family Tracing and Reunification. He is a strong advocate for community-based prevention and response, ensuring that protection programs are both inclusive and effective.

Evans Armstrong holds a Master’s Degree in Operations Management and a Bachelor’s Degree in Project Management from Protestant University of West Africa, combining specialized field experience with a rigorous approach to organizational efficiency and project oversight.

Dr. Felicity Gray ist derzeit globale Leiterin der Abteilung für Politik und Interessenvertretung bei Nonviolent Peaceforce (NP). Zuvor war sie für NP als Gründungsdirektorin in der Ukraine und als Teamleiterin in Bentiu, Südsudan, dem größten Flüchtlingslager des Landes, tätig. Neben ihrer praktischen Erfahrung ist Felicity Gray Wissenschaftlerin und Expertin für den Schutz unbewaffneter Zivilpersonen. Ihre Doktorarbeit zu diesem Thema umfasst Feldforschung in Myanmar, Libanon, Südsudan, Europa und den Vereinigten Staaten. Sie hat einen Doktortitel in Internationalen Beziehungen und einen Master in Humanitärer Hilfe von der Australian National University.
 

Line holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and has 20+ years strategic and leadership experience and with in-depth Operations background including financial management, HR management as well as organizational development. She has extensive experience guiding growth and performance of international organisations and NGOs as well as extensive experience in managing and mentoring multifunctional and multicultural teams. Prior to joining NP, she was the Director of Operations for ACT Alliance and Humanitarian NGO and prior to that the Head of Budget and Financial Planning for IUCN, an NGO specializing in Nature Conservation.

Martha Hernandez is currently the Head of Programming at Nonviolent Peaceforce in Iraq. She has extensive experience in protection of civilians and peacebuilding in different parts of the world. She has been working with Nonviolent Peaceforce since 2008 in different countries such as South Sudan, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, United States and Syria. Martha holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Cultural Studies and a Master’s Degree in Peace and Conflict Transformation.

Rosemary Kabaki serves as the Head of Mission at Nonviolent Peaceforce in South Sudan and previously worked with Nonviolent Peaceforce in Myanmar as Head of Mission, in the South Caucasus as a Human Rights and Civilian Protection Expert, and in the Philippines as an International Civilian Peacekeeper. Rosemary has experience working in her native country of Kenya in both the NGO and civil servant sectors. With Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO), Rosemary supported local groups to address inclusion gaps on governance, social and developmental needs of marginalized communities. As a Psychology lecturer at Kenya Medical Training College, she contributed to a curriculum that focused on embedding ‘soft skills’ and strengthening ‘people first’ values to the next generation of health workers.

Rosemary’s NP experiences has made her passionate about exploring ways that civilians, living in conflict affected areas, can increase participation in their own protection and subsequently strengthen human rights in remote areas.

Joachim Kleinmann is a Head of Programmes at Nonviolent Peaceforce in Ukraine where he provides leadership and oversee projects aimed to increase safety of civilians and local community-based organisation responding to civilian needs in frontline and hard-to-reach areas of Ukraine. Joachim had been with NP since 2020 and based in Ukraine since June 2022. Before this role, Joachim worked with the International Oragnization for Migration (IOM) in Iraq, and prior to that role, as a journalist and photographer in Iraq and Syria. Joachim is trained as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and a certified medical trainer of medical instuctors, with additional expertise in unarmed civilian protection.

Roz Lee has dedicated her life to advancing racial, gender, economic and LGBTQ justice through community organizing, advocacy, political education, and philanthropy. She has expertise in philanthropy, grantmaking, resource mobilization and fundraising, nonprofit management, program development, collaboration and facilitation. Roz has an extensive background working with individuals and organizations from diverse backgrounds and experiences and is knowledgeable about a broad range of social justice issues at the national and global level. Roz served as Vice President of Philanthropy at the Equality Fund, a global organization committed to funding feminist futures. As Vice President of Strategy and Programs at the Ms. Foundation for Women, she led efforts to support gender and racial justice led by and for women and girls of color. As Director of Social Justice Initiatives at the Arcus Foundation, she created innovative global and local philanthropic initiatives at the intersection of race, gender, sexual orientation and gender identity. Roz is the first-ever Professor of Practice at the Center for Feminist, Queer and Transgender Studies at the University of Pennsylvania. She resides in New York City.

Anastasiya Marchuk is currently Head of Mission for Nonviolent Peaceforce in Ukraine. Anastasiya is a humanitarian with over 15 years of professional experience. She previously worked for the European Union Border Assistance Mission, focusing on the Transnistrian conflict settlement. She spent 8 years with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) as Head of Office for South of Ukraine and, after the invasion, served as Deputy Head of Sub-Delegation in charge of security and assistance programs. In December 2023, she joined Nonviolent Peaceforce, leading the organization’s programmatic response in Ukraine as Head of Programs. Anastasiya holds a Master of International Law in Armed Conflicts from the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights, and an MA in International Relations from Odesa National University.

Douce Namwezi serves as the Head of Mission for Nonviolent Peaceforce in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). She has extensive experience managing both Congolese and international organizations. Previously, she was the Executive Director of Uwezo Afrika Initiative and held leadership roles in other Congolese organizations. She also worked as a Senior Program Manager for the Swedish organization Kvinna till Kvinna and as an advisor for the Folke Bernadotte Academy. Douce has been actively involved in numerous national, regional, and international initiatives focused on peacebuilding and human rights protection.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in International Relations and has earned a training certificate in nonviolence and peace studies from the University of Rhode Island (USA). Deeply committed to nonviolent approaches, Douce believes in their power to create meaningful change in complex contexts like her home country, the DRC. She describes herself as a lifelong learner, eager to share knowledge and innovate in her work.

Chris Ogbonna serves as Head of Program at Nonviolent Peaceforce in Sudan. He has over 15 years of experience working on peacebuilding, deradicalization, and reintegration programs across West and Sub-Saharan Africa. He has previously worked as the Head of Program Implementation and Head of Program Quality for Search for Common Ground and International Alert, respectively, in the Lake Chad Basin.

As a Development Communication expert and with several certifications in Trauma Healing and Psychosocial Support, Chris has a passion for setting up and mentoring local and community-based organizations that work on peacebuilding, mental health and psychosocial support, and unarmed civilian protection. He holds a PhD in Development Communication and an MSc in Governance and Development.

He believes in the collective power of “we” as a driving force for positive change, meaningful impact and lasting peace.

Huibert Oldenhuis currently serves as the Global Head of Programming at NP`s Head Office in Geneva. He has worked in the field of peace and security since 2004, with Peace Brigades International in Indonesia, the UN Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific in Nepal, and Nonviolent Peaceforce in South Sudan and Myanmar. He is a former Head of Mission for NP in Myanmar and the (co-) author of various publications on Unarmed Civilian Protection.

Sinagtala Pangato is the current Head of Operations and Finance for Nonviolent Peaceforce in the Philippines. 

Faiza Riaz working as Deputy Country Director / Head of Operations – Nonviolent Peaceforce South Sudan. She is a Humanitarian and Development practitioner with more than 18 years of practical experience in Logistic, Human Resource, Finance and Compliance. Specialize in development and implementation of resource mobilization and management strategies; donor relations; oversight and management of multi donor grants; strong professional in the development of donor budgets, analysis, reporting and audits, development of policies and procedures to support Country Operations and proportionately mitigate risks.

Since 2017 with NP South Sudan she has been working on different roles and successfully managing NP South Sudan Country Office finance, budgets, treasury, human resources, procurement, capacity development of national staff and other administrative activities of the Mission and Sub-Offices including Grants and Compliance of all NPSS grants. She has also worked as Compliance and Risk Manager for Action Against Hunger Pakistan and with CARE International Pakistan during emergencies.

She is qualified as a Masters in Professional Accounting – CPA Australia from the University of New South Wales Sydney Australia and Masters in Commerce from University of the Punjab Pakistan. She is currently pursuing CPA Australia Program. 

Dr. Delsy Ronnie has 18 years of experience in programming on conflict resolution, research, emergency response and community development, including nine years at senior management level at the country program. He was the director of the social department at Aceh-Nias Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Agency (BBR), the national body of rehabilitation and reconstruction of Aceh and Nias, two provinces of Indonesia, where he oversaw the rehabilitation and reconstruction process on social sector post-2004- Indian earthquake and tsunami. He also has served as National Team Leader for Conflict Early Warning and Early Response in Indonesia. Before joining with Nonviolent Peacefore, he led Muslim Aid Myanmar from 2013 – 2015. Ronnie has worked extensively on the peace process in Southeast Asia, including Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Myanmar. He has a doctorate from the University of Helsinki with the research focus on the peace process in Aceh.

Ronnie has served as Head of Mission in the Philippines since November 2015.

Thiago Wolfer is from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He has extensive experience in managing, designing, directing and implementing programmes of protection of civilians affected by armed conflict in different parts around the world. Thiago has a major in International Relations, a post bachelorship in International Politics and a Master’s Degree in Peace Studies and Conflict Transformation at the University of Basel in Switzerland. He joined NP in 2007 and has worked in ever since with the organization in a number of country programes including Guatemala, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Syria, United States and South Sudan. He previously served as Head of Mission for Nonviolent Peaceforce in South Sudan. Thiago is committed to his work and believes in Unarmed Civilian Protection as an alternative to transforming conflict together with communities.

Gloria Jarrett Yatassaye currently serves as the Global Head of People, Culture and HR at Nonviolent Peaceforce. She previously held the post of Global HR Manager at NP Head Office since Oct 2019.

Gloria has a varied background having served both non-profit organisations and for-profit corporations in the areas of education, finance, and now conflict response and resolution. She is thrilled to use her skills in talent acquisition, relationship building, and creating a ‘people first’ culture to continue building a world-class team at NP.

Her focus will be partnering closely with all teams across our growing global organisation to build bridges and form connections that will enable our staff to accomplish the best work of their lives.

She is looking forward to having genuine conversations with employees on how she can help in their NP journey and continue improving communications to further enhance awareness of company initiatives and culture progress.

Gloria holds a Bachelor of Science degree in International Business and a Master of Business Administration (MBA).

Paleki Ayang is a South Sudanese human rights lawyer, gender advocate, and policy expert with over a decade of experience in legal reform, transitional justice, and women’s rights. She currently serves as the MENA Regional Gender Advisor at Equality Now, where she leads high-impact advocacy initiatives to reform gender-discriminatory laws and strengthen legal protections for women across the Middle East and North Africa. Throughout her career, Paleki has worked extensively with international and regional bodies, including the United Nations and led advocacy with the African Union and IGAD, to advance gender equality, women’s political participation, and access to justice. She has played a pivotal role in high-level policy dialogues, including addressing the United Nations Security Council on women’s role in conflict prevention and resolution. A Chevening Scholar and recipient of the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, Paleki has designed and led critical programs on gender justice, the rule of law, and peacebuilding in conflict-affected regions, particularly in South Sudan, Sudan, Egypt and Palestine. She has also contributed to policy development and research on family law reform, sexual violence, and constitutional processes. Paleki holds an MA in Human Rights from the University of London, an LLB in Law from the University of Juba, and is currently pursuing an MSc in Governance, Peace, and Security.   

Moses Monday John (PhD) is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Public Administration in the University of Juba. He teaches public policy analysis, working groups and conflict management. John has more than 20 years’ extensive experience in managing NGOs Peacebuilding, development and humanitarian projects in Sudan and South Sudan. He is a Co-founder and former Executive Director of the Organization for Nonviolence and Development (ONAD). Over the years, John served at different senior management, programme and finance administration capacities with a number of national, regional and international organizations. He is a trained financial officer turned peace worker and nonviolent action activist. Yet, John enjoys accounting, finance, grants and financial management work with very good capacity to analyse audit reports.

John is passionate and skilled in designing, and facilitating training and workshops on nonviolence, conflict management, governance, gender and community security and leadership. He authored numerous published articles, book chapters and policy briefs on nonviolence and unarmed civilian protection (UCP). John holds a PhD in Public Administration-Peace Studies from the Durban University of Technology (DUT), South Africa.

Marie-Noëlle Koyara is a Central African agricultural engineer, former government minister, and longtime peacebuilder with decades of experience in development, security, and conflict resolution. She served in several senior Central African Republic government posts, including Minister of State for Agriculture, Minister of State for Public Works, and Minister of Defense.

Over 18 years with the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), she served as Representative in Cabo Verde, Burkina Faso, and Côte d’Ivoire, acted several times as UN Coordinator in Côte d’Ivoire, and led the rural land program at UNOCI.

Deeply committed to dialogue and nonviolence, she chaired the negotiation committee with armed groups in 2014–2015, served as Deputy Secretary General of the 2005 National Dialogue and Vice-President of the 2015 Bangui National Forum, and is National Coordinator of the National Council of Active Non-Violence. She founded the initiative Repenser la sécurité en Afrique and serves on the boards of the University for Peace in Africa and other institutions.

Her honors include the Grand Cross of Central African Merit and national orders of merit from Côte d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso.

Thomas Kurmann is a Strategic Philanthropy professional with more than 20 years of experience. He joined Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in 2004, first as Communications and Fundraising Director of the operational center in Switzerland and then as Fundraising Director in Germany. Prior to joining MSF, Thomas was the Communications Director at Terre des hommes, a children’s aid foundation.

Thomas is teaching Fundraising, Strategy and donor journey mapping and other strategic management and fundraising tools at international conferences and academic institutions in Switzerland. Before his Fundraising career, Thomas worked as a freelance journalist and PR professional, and as a dramaturg for a small theatre.

Dr. Diah Kusumaningrum is an assistant professor at the Department of International Relations, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Indonesia. Among others, she teaches Introduction to Peace Studies, Nonviolence Studies, Gender and Politics, and Ethnic Conflict. She co-created Damai Pangkal Damai, a database on nonviolent actions in Indonesia 1999-present. She received the 2023 Global South Feminist Scholar Award from the International Studies Association.

Diah holds degrees in International Relations (BA, Universitas Gadjah Mada), Peace Studies (MA, University of Bradford), and Political Science (PhD, Rutgers University).

Dr. Adrien Lawrence is a Senior executive at Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL). He currently serves within the leadership team of the Vice Presidency for Innovation and Impact, where he works at the intersection of governance, strategy and innovation.

He has a strong track record in shaping and steering complex organizations, having served as the inaugural Managing Director of the Swiss Personalized Health Network (SPHN), Deputy Secretary-General of EPFL, and as Interim Managing Director the Fondation Campus Biotech Geneva (FCBG). His work brings together academic, public, and private stakeholders to advance large‑scale initiatives in science, health, and innovation. 

Adrien studied chemistry at EPFL and at the University of Cambridge. He holds a PhD in Organic Chemistry from EPFL and a Board Readiness Diploma from the International Institute for Management Development (IMD).

Lucy Nusseibeh is the founding director of Middle East Nonviolence and Democracy (MEND), a nongovernmental organization that educates grassroots political leaders, Palestinian youth, their teachers and their families about nonviolence and democracy. Previously, Nusseibeh taught in the Philosophy and Cultural Studies Department in Bir Zeit University, headed the Palestinian Centre for the Study of Nonviolence, and held a fellowship in the Women and Public Policy Program at the John F. Kennedy School of Government of Harvard University. She is married to Sari Nusseibeh.

Chayanit “Nid” Poonyarat is a lecturer at the Faculty of Political Science, Thammasat University in Bangkok, Thailand. Among others, she teaches Social Movement and the Seminar on Violence and Nonviolence in Politics. She recently served as an assistant to the secretary in the National Assembly of Thailand’s Special Committee to Study the Guidelines for Enacting the Amnesty Act for Political Prisoners (2024) and as secretary in the Sub-committee on the Study and Promotion of Public Participation in Peacebuilding in Southern Border Provinces (2024). Her recent publications include Make It Happen: Human Rights at a Local Level (Bangkok: Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom, 2025).

Chayanit holds degrees in Political Science (BA, Thammasat University), Peace Studies (MA, University of Notredame), and International Relations (PhD, American University).

Lisa (Elisabetta) Ricci is a strategic leader and entrepreneur with experience spanning FMCG, NGOs, and start-ups. Naturally optimistic and curious about the science of happiness and human connection, she combines business expertise with creativity, compassion, and a genuine love of bringing people and ideas together. Throughout her career, Lisa has helped drive growth, spark innovation, and build partnerships at P&G, Revlon, and dsm-firmenich, as well as in non-profit organizations such as the Geneva Health Forum and entrepreneurial ventures in Italy—always with an eye toward creating meaningful impact for the community.

Lisa is an Italian, American, and Swiss citizen and speaks Italian, English, Spanish, and French, with a particular love for Greek. She holds degrees in International Economics and Management (MA, SDA Bocconi) and Political Science (BA, Tufts University).

Jonathan (Jon) Rudy is a consultant and educator focusing on peace education curriculum design, human security, peacebuilding, conflict transformation and nonviolence. With more than more than thirty-five years of work in 30 countries in Asia and Africa, he works mainly at the community level. For more than two decades he has been a core facilitator at the Mindanao Peacebuilding Institute in the Philippines. He is currently co-chair of the Improving Practices Working Group for Global Partners for the Prevention of Armed Conflict (GPPAC). In his home area in Pennsylvania, USA, he is on the board of a local organization doing mediation, restorative conferencing and circle process facilitation.

Based in San Francisco, Deepa Sureka is a result-driven business leader, entrepreneur and investor with experience in consumer tech, marketplace, retail, generative AI and tech-enabled marketing and advertising. As the COO of Rakuten, she built a culture of growth with care to drive business and stakeholder success. Her expertise is in business management, M&A, marketing, sales, people and culture. 

Presently, Deepa advises global start-ups leveraging AI technology to expand and build consumer products and services.

Growing up in India, Deepa was inspired by the teaching of nonviolence and human resilience. She dreams of a world built on empathy, understanding and respectful disagreements.