Former board members

As the first Chair of the Board for Crisis Action, Paul brought decades of experience leading multicultural teams to address existential threats, particularly nuclear war.

From 2007 to 2019, he was Executive Director of the British American Security Information Council (BASIC), focusing on nuclear deterrence and disarmament.

Since 2019, Paul has collaborated with the Swedish Foreign Ministry on the highly recognized Stepping Stones Approach and the Stockholm Initiative for Nuclear Disarmament. He founded the Trident Commission (2011-14) and played a key role in establishing the Middle East Treaty Organisation (METO) in 2017.

Currently, Paul is a Research Affiliate at the University of Cambridge’s Centre for the Study of Existential Risk.

Nick is the inaugural CEO of the Freedom Fund since 2014, leading efforts to end modern slavery.

Previously, he was CEO of the Walk Free Foundation and Deputy President of the International Crisis Group (ICG.

Nick has served on advisory councils for Global Witness and the McCain Institute and chaired the Jo Cox Foundation.

He is also the author of How to Lead Nonprofits (2024).

A lawyer by training, he was Chief of Staff and National Security Adviser to Australia’s Attorney-General.

Jan Egeland has been Secretary General of the Norwegian Refugee Council since August 2013, leading humanitarian operations with some 15,000 relief workers serving nearly 10 million people in need across the world. From 2021-2023, he served as the Eminent Person of The Grand Bargain initiative. From 2015 to the end of 2018, he was Special Advisor to the UN mediation efforts in Syria and chaired the 23-nation humanitarian task force for the protection of and access to Syrian civilians.

Jan served as UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator from 2003 to 2006, during which he spearheaded a reform of the global humanitarian system. He has been Europe Director of Human Rights Watch (2011−2013), Executive Director of the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (2007−2011), and served as the UN Secretary General’s Special Adviser to Colombia (1999−2001). From 1990 to 1997, he was State Secretary in the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where he co-organized and co-initiated the Norwegian Channel that led to the Oslo Agreement between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (1993), as well as peace agreements in Guatemala (1996) and elsewhere.

He has received several international awards. In 2006, Time Magazine named Egeland as one of the ‘100 people who shape our world’.

A former Chief Justice and President of Kenya’s Supreme Court, Willy is a pioneer in justice and constitutional reform. A distinguished scholar-in-residence at Fordham Law and expert advisor to The Gambia’s Constitution Review Commission, he is now an adjunct professor at Kabarak University.

He played a pivotal role in Kenya’s 2010 Constitution and was a tireless advocate against corruption within the judiciary and across the nation. His leadership fostered principled dialogue and collaboration between government branches, civil society, and the public, solidifying the judiciary’s political role.

He remains an advocate for a just, gender-equal, peaceful, and ecologically sustainable world.

Arnold Tsunga, a prominent human rights lawyer is the Principal Managing Partner at Tsunga Law International.

Previously he was the Zimbabwe Senior Resident Director at the National Democratic Institute (NDI) and Africa Director for the International Commission of Jurists for 12 years. Earlier in his career he was Executive Director of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, Executive Secretary of the Law Society of Zimbabwe (LSZ), National Chairperson of Zimbabwe Human Rights Association (ZimRights) and Vice President of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH).

A Humphrey Leadership Fellow and Paul Harris Fellow, Arnold is one of Africa’s leading human rights lawyers and in recognition of his dedication to defending human rights in spite of the threat to his own life, he was awarded the prestigious Martin Ennals Award for Human Rights Defenders in October 2006, as well as the Human Rights Watch Highest Award for human rights defenders.

Anya is the Legal Director of The Docket initiative at the Clooney Foundation for Justice, bringing over 20 years of groundbreaking experience in international human rights, including leading more than 60 investigations in conflict zones worldwide. Prior to joining CFJ, Anya was Amnesty International’s Senior Director for Research, steering global research and crisis responses.

Her work was featured in award-winning documentaries E-team and The Cranes Call.

An Honorary Professor at La Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo, Anya also teaches at top universities like Columbia.

Dominic Schofield is a Senior Client Partner at Korn Ferry, based in London, and has led the Board & CEO Services Practice since 2017. He has played a key role in numerous FTSE Chair, CEO, and Board transitions, driving diversity in UK leadership. Dominic’s expertise extends internationally, having handled projects in Spain, France, the Middle East, and beyond.

Before joining Korn Ferry, he helped establish Heidrick & Struggles in Russia and the CIS. Dominic has a strong political background, having worked as Director of Policy for the Conservative Party and served as a senior aide in the UK Parliament. He’s a Non-Executive Director at Premier Media Group and advises the “25 x 25” Initiative, aiming for 25 female FTSE100 CEOs by 2025.

Elizabeth Seuling is chief development officer of The Marshall Project, a non-partisan, non-profit news organisation focused on the fairness and effectiveness of the US criminal justice system. She formerly served as a managing director of Human Rights Watch and as executive director of Lumos Foundation USA.

Early in her career, Elizabeth worked with the EastWest Institute in Serbia to strengthen civilian control of the military following the Yugoslav Wars. Elizabeth earned her bachelor’s degree from Wesleyan University and completed post-graduate work in international affairs at New York University. She serves on the boards of Crisis Action and the Center for Human Rights in Iran and formerly served on the board of the Center for Civilians in Conflict.

Fiona is a Senior Advisor with NatureFinance and a trustee of the Environmental Funders Network. Passionate about accountable governance and environmental protection, she combines consultancy work with personal advocacy and supports numerous environmental and social justice organisations as a trustee.

Previously, Fiona was Africa Nature Lead for the Climate Champions Team, International Advocacy Director at Open Society Foundations, and Associate Campaigns Director at Global Witness.

She co-founded the Ethical Trading Initiative and the Publish What You Pay campaign and led efforts as a Climate Champion for Nature in Africa, building momentum among non-state actors before COP 27. She was a co-founder of the UK Ban Landmines Campaign.

Her recent work spans political economy analysis, community research, and re-designing development programs in conflict zones.

Jacqueline is a non-resident fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Africa Center. An expert in business, human rights, and sustainability, she has held leadership roles at Rio Tinto, the Trade and Development Bank, and the World Trade Organization.

A board member of IDEO.org and the International Rescue Committee UK, Jacqueline teaches at Georgetown University and the University of Cambridge. Jacqueline is a term member of the Council on Foreign Relations and a fellow of multiple prestigious leadership programs.

Lotte is the Advocacy Director at Climate Rights International. Formerly Human Rights Watch’s EU Director, Lotte has led transformative efforts to advance international justice and accountability.

A renowned lawyer specialising in international human rights, humanitarian law, and advocacy, she’s conducted investigations in conflict zones, championed survivors of atrocity crimes, and driven the establishment of justice mechanisms worldwide.

Lotte chairs the European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights, advises the Heinrich Boell Foundation, and serves on the boards of DIGNITY and the Global Campus on Human Rights.

Mabel is a social entrepreneur committed to advancing equality, freedom, and justice. A driving force in the global movement to end child marriage, she helped launch and scale Girls First Fund, Girls Not Brides, and VOW for Girls. The diverse causes that Mabel has championed include addressing the Balkan wars and HIV/AIDS prevention to promoting independent media, natural resource transparency, and democracy innovation.

She serves on the boards of Fondation Chanel, More in Common, and VOW for Girls, and advises Apolitical Academy Global and Global Witness. Mabel is a Global Champion of Girls Not Brides and a Champion of She Decides.

Mike is Vice-Dean of Education and Faculty Tutor at UCL’s Faculty of Population Health Sciences, a powerhouse of eight departments driving innovation in life, clinical, and public health sciences, including the trailblazing Global Business School for Health.

Previously, as Director of Education and Principal Teaching Fellow, Mike shaped learning at UCL’s Institute for Global Health. Before UCL, he led impactful global initiatives as Executive Director of Medact, championing action on the health effects of conflict, poverty, and environmental change.

As Crisis Action’s treasurer, Paul brought deep expertise in financial services, emerging markets, and private equity. As Senior Partner of Actis, a leading emerging markets investor, he spearheaded the transformation of CDC, the UK’s development finance institution, into a purpose-driven private equity firm.

Starting his career as a trader at Cargill, Paul held key roles at Bankers Trust, SBCI, and Citibank, working across Japan, the USA, and Kenya

Paul chairs Teach for All, the global education network, and serves on advisory boards, including Systemiq, GIC, and Greater Share. A Director at Greenwood Place, he actively contributes to social impact initiatives and teaches regularly at the London School of Economics.

He remains a leader in impact-driven investing.

Salman Shaikh is the Founder and CEO of The Shaikh Group (TSG), a peacebuilding organisation focused on resolving violent conflicts in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).

A seasoned mediator, Salman has led Track II diplomacy efforts engaging local actors, governments, and global stakeholders—particularly in Syria, the Levant, the Gulf, and Iran. Previously, he directed the Brookings Doha Center, specialising in conflict resolution and Middle East geopolitics.

His extensive UN experience includes key advisory roles on Lebanon, the Middle East peace process, and children in armed conflict.

Salman also served as Director of Policy and Research for Sheikha Moza bin Nasser of Qatar, shaping strategic regional stability and development initiatives.

Sarah is a dynamic policy researcher and consultant specialising in migration policy, a member of the Advisory Board of Labour Together and a Policy Associate at the Future Governance Forum.

Sarah’s past roles include leading migration policy initiatives as Executive Director at the Greater London Authority and serving at the forefront of migration, communities, employment, and family policy at the Institute for Public Policy Research.

Formerly CEO of Ecofin, an investment firm specialised in infrastructure and energy transition, Vincent Barnouin has had a long and distinguished career in investment banking and asset management. He was deputy head of Citigroup’s equity business in Europe and head of European equity sales in Europe for Goldman Sachs.

His new ventures span from AI or Quantum Computing to Real Estate Development and Digital Assets investments.