MEET OIPMA TEAM
Thanks to the expertise and experience of a Human Rights and Communications professionals team, OIPMA continues achieving its mandate and speaking up on behalf of the crisis-affected Least Developed Countries (LDCs).
Saaed Mokbil
PRESIDENT OF OIPMA
Saeed Mokbil is the President of OIPMA and a former Member of the UN Working Group on the Use of Mercenaries. He has 26 years of professional experience in dealing with the UN Charter-based and Monitory-based Mechanisms and has held various senior positions as a former diplomat accredited to the UN. Prior founding OIPMA, he represented and accredited several international and civil society organizations to the UN. Conflict prevention, post-conflict peace-building is the core of his work, and he is determined to support the crisis-affected LDCs.
He received his Master’s degree in International Relations and International Law from Kiev University and awarded a diploma in Journalism from Berlin-based International Institute for Journalism. His diplomatic background and years of experience including the high level international conferences and the UN meetings made him prioritize the importance of global cooperation and multilateralism for achieving peace, security and sustainability.
Jade McLachlan
Executive Director
Jade is an accomplished international public policy expert with over 20 years of experience in leadership, strategy, enterprise risk, and sustainability advocacy. She has a proven track record in developing and implementing robust communication strategies, project delivery, and risk management. Extensive background in diplomacy and negotiations as a former Senior Civil Servant within His Majesty’s Government (HMG) in the UK and at the United Nations in New York, serving as a senior aide and advisor. Jade holds a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature and a Master’s in European Affairs, EU Law major, from the University of Aberdeen, as well as Executive Education from the University of Cambridge. Expertise includes drafting multilateral advisory reports, managing crises, and developing enterprise risk management policies. She is skilled in planning, financial management, and effective leadership, with a focus on sustainability and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Dr Pakkamol Siriwat
Senior Policy Adviser and Project Manager
Dr. Pakkamol Siriwat, with a decade of experience in international development, conflict mediation, peacebuilding, and advocacy in Southeast Asia, holds advanced degrees from the University of Cambridge. She’s known for leading sustainable change initiatives and has been instrumental in advocating for human rights in sports, particularly through establishing Thailand’s first professional footballers’ union. Dr. Siriwat’s roles with ASEAN and Geneva Call have seen her contribute significant policy-shaping research and drive effective advocacy projects. Her skill set includes donor engagement, project management, research, facilitation and multilingual communication, complementing her strategic expertise in navigating multicultural environments.
Annie Rose Healion
Human Rights Officer
Annie is an experienced humanitarian policymaker and advocate with tenure at organizations including the International Rescue Committee, United Nations Development Programme, and U.S. Department of State. Skilled at building consensus and navigating complex political dynamics, she has forwarded the unanimous passage of migrant-youth legislation, secured over $5m for marginalized communities, and produced turnkey policy products. She holds graduate degrees from Freie Universität Berlin and the University of Tartu and undergraduate degrees from the University of Edinburgh.
Lauren Meredith
Human Rights Officer
Dr. Lauren Meredith, an experienced researcher and humanitarian, holds a doctoral degree in Medicine from the University of New South Wales, along with a graduate degree in Human Rights Law from the University of London and an undergraduate degree with honors from the University of Sydney. She has conducted research at various institutions and NGOs, including Save the Children, focusing on access, negotiations, and engagement with armed actors. Her work includes studying community-led negotiations, child participation in peace processes, and military training’s impact on child protection, aiding advocacy for children in conflict zones.
Sara Zuluaga Ortiz
Human Rights Officer
Sara Zuluaga Ortiz is a dedicated undergraduate student interested in Global Studies and Human Rights. She possesses a strong foundation in interdisciplinary knowledge, research skills, and advocacy to promote social justice on a global scale. She can demonstrate sensibility and respect for diverse cultures, identities, and perspectives, which is essential and effective when working in multicultural environments. By working together and creating strong relationships with humanitarian organizations, we can help build networks and make a difference for those living in LDCs.
Helena Bach
Human Rights Officer
Helena Bach is a dedicated Ph.D. candidate in Economics at the University of Geneva, specializing in the intersection of institutions and culture. With a profound interest in the dynamics between citizen values and environmental policies, Helena’s research aims to uncover how cultural factors influence the development and effectiveness of environmental governance strategies. Through her research, she seeks to inform evidence-based policymaking that reflects and respects diverse cultural values and aspirations.
Elsa Marina Avalos Lepe
Human Rights Officer
With over 15 years of experience, Elsa is a dedicated human rights officer at OIPMA, advocating for vulnerable and marginalized groups. She has managed Le Bouche à Oreilles in Geneva, demonstrating her leadership skills. As a consultant and notary, she has provided expert legal advice on labor law and international cooperation. Elsa holds diplomas in international relations, law, and education, showcasing her strong academic background and commitment to human rights and social justice.
Javier Rodriguez
Human Rights Officer
Javier has a background in Human Rights, International Relations and Education. He has been a member of the Council of Europe delegation to the United Nations in Geneva. His work focuses on the protection and promotion of economic and cultural rights, in particular the right to education.
Cristina Bernal Aparicio
Researcher
Cristina is a climate adaptation expert with a global perspective, currently working as a Consultant at the United Nations. She is also an Advisor at CRAST, an NGO in Tanzania that aims to enhance the climate resilience of the most vulnerable regions in the country. She has previously served as a Development Consultant at UNESCAP, specializing in digital development in the most vulnerable countries to reduce inequalities and climate change preparedness. Her international experience is further enriched by her master’s degree in Disaster Risk Management and Climate Change Adaptation from Lund University.
Noémie Guigue
Researcher
Noémie, after her work on water resources management at Amman Airport, expanded her climate knowledge at the Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies in 2021. She then delved into urban governance and resilient cities at Groupe Huit. Noémie’s expertise in these areas is now being utilized at Espelia, where she works in the international environment department, focusing on water, sanitation, waste, energy, and the environment for developing countries.
Amy Choi
Researcher
Amy Choi has a strong background in sustainable development and corporate decarbonization and an academic background in international environmental law. She has worked in the UN System and non-profit sector, providing environmental policy support for UN Member States and advancing sustainability initiatives in heavy industry. She holds an LL.M. in international law with a specialisation in international environmental law and governance from the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies and a law degree from the University of East Anglia.
Marie-Lou Pijnenburg
Researcher
Recently graduated in ecology and evolution from ETH Zurich, Marie-Lou Pijnenburg specialized in research questions linked to plant diversity in a changing world. From DNA to remote sensing analysis, Marie-Lou built up wide knowledge on the study of diversity and ways of doing so, in order to be able to better protect it. On the side, she got involved in multiple projects or volunteering organisations. With different roles along this path, she tended to be part of the strategy development and coordination of projects, something she is currently part-time employed for at the sustainability team from ETH Zurich.
COMMUNICATIONS TEAM
Abisatou Manneh
COMMUNICATION OFFICER
Abisatou Manneh is a seasoned professional with 12 years of experience in business growth and client network development. As the Head of Marketing & Business Development at BSIC Bank, The Gambia, she manages banking relationships, business strategies, and marketing campaigns. Previously, the Admin and Human Resources Manager at the Food Safety and Quality Authority. She also led customer experience and communications at Access Bank Gambia LTD. She has expertise in marketing, communication, negotiation, strategy, and human resources.