The 2025-2026 Board
Dr. Zinia Afrin Doza (MBBS, MPH)
Chairperson
As a medical doctor and public health professional with over a decade of experience, Dr. Zinia brings a powerful blend of professional expertise and deep community commitment to her new role. Her work in community health, gender equity, and humanitarian action is complemented by her dedicated service as an active UNKLESA volunteer, where she has consistently demonstrated her ability to lead, coordinate, and foster inclusive spaces.
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Dr. Zinia’s vision, “Leading by Serving; Serving by Listening,” is a reflection of her collaborative and empathetic leadership style. She is committed to building a more inclusive, engaged, and supportive expatriate community, strengthening our working groups, and enhancing UNKLESA's visibility and unity across the UN and diplomatic landscape in Kenya. With her strong institutional memory and a proven track record of empowering members, Dr. Zinia is confident that she can work as a UNKLESA Chairperson with transparency, accountability, and a passionate dedication
Shreyasi Som
Secretary
I am an Indian national with over ten years of experience managing complex engineering and IT projects for international clients. Since relocating to Nairobi in 2022 as the spouse of a WBG staff member, I have been actively involved with UNKLESA—initially as an office volunteer and, since November 2023, as the Training and Development Coordinator. In this role, I have established strong partnerships with key UN agencies, including UNICEF, UNON-HRMS, UNON-ICTS, UNV …
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UNDSS, and JMS, to expand training opportunities for members. I played a significant role in supporting the 2024 UNKLESA online learning program, secured free venues through FMTS, coordinated first aid and security awareness trainings, and mobilized members to share their expertise through workshops and sessions.
As UNKLESA secretary, I aim to enhance communication, improve operational efficiency, and strengthen community engagement. I will ensure transparent communication, maintain accurate records, and support smooth Board administration using my strong organizational and project management skills. I will also leverage my networks and partnerships with UN agencies to create more opportunities for members, while actively supporting the Board’s fundraising efforts to sustain and grow the association.
Mark Patterson
Finance and Budget Officer
Mark Patterson, originally from Sri Lanka and now residing in Kenya, brings over 24 years of experience in humanitarian and development work. With a Master's in Business Administration and a postgraduate diploma in Strategic Planning and Leadership, he has held senior management roles in agencies like the UN, World Bank (IFC), Save the Children and more. Mark has extensive experience in fund management, budgeting …
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and leading emergency programs, having managed over $10 million in donor funds from agencies like EU, ECHO, UNICEF, and USAID. His expertise includes financial management, fundraising, and partnership building.
As UNKLESA’s Finance and Budget Officer, Mark's vision is to enhance financial sustainability through effective fund management and innovative fundraising initiatives. He aims to ensure timely and accurate financial documentation to meet donor compliance and attract new funding agencies. He is committed to transparency and leveraging his negotiation and partnership skills to design impactful programs for UNKLESA members.
Sudeshna Banerjee
Family & Peer Support
As Family and Peer Coordinator, Sudeshna leverages her global experience as an IFC spouse across India, Germany, South Africa, and Kenya to build strong communities. Holding a Master’s degree in Physiology and Microbiology, she has consistently channeled the challenges of international relocation into opportunities for meaningful local impact.
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Her diverse international experiences include:
Germany: Overcoming language barriers by completing a rigorous, three-year full-time German language program while raising her infant.
India: Utilizing her skills to teach German in Gurgaon schools for seven years.
South Africa: Serving on the AISJ (American International School of Johannesburg) Parent Association, where she collaborated with an international team to organize major fundraising, cultural, and community-building events.
Nairobi (UNKLESA): Contributing as an office volunteer and teaching English in Babel cafés to support fellow members.
Now, as the Family and Peer Coordinator, Sudeshna is dedicated to ensuring new members feel genuinely welcome and at home in Nairobi. Her mission is to foster a safe, supportive, and enriching space where spouses can connect, share their unique talents, and thrive, ensuring their time in Kenya becomes a cherished lifelong memory.
Mahjabin Ferdoush
Training & Development
Mahjabin Ferdoush is a Bangladeshi national and business entrepreneur who blends strategic leadership with a passion for social impact. With experience in child rights, advocacy, and capacity building, she believes that true empowerment begins with learning and inclusion.
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Having served as both a Communications Volunteer and Election Commissioner with UNKLESA, Mahjabin brings creativity, empathy, and integrity to every initiative she leads. She is dedicated to enhancing UNKLESA’s visibility through meaningful collaboration with UN agencies across UNON and beyond.
As Training & Development Coordinator, Mahjabin designs programs that help members grow, connect, and thrive — personally and professionally. Guided by her belief in lifelong learning and inclusive leadership, she envisions a UNKLESA community where every member’s potential is valued and every voice matters.
Rabiatou Bah
Networking & Advocacy
Rabiatou Bah, is a bilingual client service and administrative professional with over a decade of international experience, currently based in Nairobi, Kenya. She possesses a diverse background encompassing corporate sales, entrepreneurship, and community development across multiple African nations.
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Since 2008, Rabiatou Bah has served as the Co-Founder and Managing Director of Rabi & Frères, an import business she scaled from a single container to 45 containers every three months. Building on this success, she established Vision D'Afrique Industry in 2019, a packaging and value-add subsidiary in Guinea that processes and distributes agricultural products like crystallized vanilla sugar and powdered milk. In addition to her agri-food ventures.
Sameer Kermalli
Communications & Outreach
Sameer Kermalli is a seasoned all rounder professional with over a decade of experience in Photography, Print and Digital Design, Writing and Proofreading, Fixing Bicycles and Event Management. Throughout his career, he has led high-impact projects that have significantly enhanced organisational recognition and outreach. Currently based in Nairobi, Sameer serves as a consulting Media Comms advisor for individual businesses and also NGOs, where he actively drives professional engagement in the digital space.
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His technical foundation is built on a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and a Master in Multimedia and Mass Journalism complemented by a robust suite of Project Management certifications gained via online learning. Sameer’s leadership style is defined by the ability to find solutions to all problems, delegation and a commitment to building stronger networks, frameworks.
He is passionate about being able to help in various capacities whether it was for TEDx, UNON Long Service 2023, 2025 and Tour de Kenya Charity Cycling events, bringing value for the organizations and communities he serves.
Ezanin Iqbal
Office Manager
Ezanin brings over 17 years of experience in administration, office coordination, and client support within the United Nations system and multinational environments. She has been serving UNKLESA as a Communications and Outreach Office Volunteer since November 2025, supporting front desk operations, member registration and renewals, office communications, event logistics, and daily administrative tasks.
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Previously, Ezanin worked as an Administrative Assistant with the World Health Organization (WHO) and as a Finance Assistant with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). She brings strong organizational, coordination, and communication skills, along with valuable institutional knowledge of UNKLESA’s operations and member needs.
Previous Boards
2024-2025
Dominic Cover
Chair
Sameer Kermalli
Secretary
Mark Patterson
Treasurer
Gulraze Shafiq
Family & Peer Support
Jocelyn Walters-Brannon
Advocacy
Shreyasi Som
Training & Development
Emmanuel Mwebe Kimera
Communications & Outreach
Sharon Muganda
Office Manager
2023-2024
Poonam Sikka
Chair
Dr.Regina Akise
Secretary
Sarah Gimsay
Treasurer
Gulraze Shafiq
Family & Peer Support
Dominic Cover
Advocacy
Shreyasi Som
Training & Development
Christina Christoforou
Communications & Outreach
Sharon Muganda
Office Manager
2022-2023
Poonam Sikka
Chair
Dr.Regina Akise
Secretary
Dioulde Kane
Treasurer
Adelaida Leon
Family & Peer Support
Idzai Muchabaiwa
Advocacy
Laurette Tovalou Ekon
Training & Development
Sagun Pradhan
Communications & Outreach
Mireine Noramou
Office Manager
2021-2022
Sameer Kermalli
Chair
Chitalu Lwamba-Zulu
Secretary
Dioulde Kane
Treasurer
Mahwish Gul
Family & Peer Support
Idzai Muchabaiwa
Advocacy
Laurette Tovalou Ekon
Training & Development
Christina Christoforou
Communications & Outreach
Njoki Njoroge
Office Manager
2020-2021
Soraya Soemadiredja
Chair (stepped down)
Chitalu Lwamba-Zulu
Secretary
Sayon Ndiaye
Treasurer
Mahwish Gul
Family & Peer Support
Maryann Nwankwo
Advocacy
Oscar Delgado
Training & Development
Christina Christoforou
Communications & Outreach
Njoki Njoroge
Office Manager
2019-2020
David T. Dessie
Chair
Soraya Soemadiredja
Secretary
Dioulde Kane
Treasurer
Gohar Ayoub
Family & Peer Support
Maryann Nwankwo
Advocacy
Myrthel G. Guillaume
Training & Development
Morgan Banea
Communications & Outreach
Njoki Njoroge
Office Manager
2018-2019
David Dessie
Chair
Ann Weller
Co-Chair
Chanda Ginsberg
Secretary
Sarah Gimsay
Treasurer
Gohar Ayoub
Family & Peer Support
Anwar Subratty
Advocacy
Fabian Luetzig
Training & Development
Morgan Banea
Communications & Outreach
Njoki Njoroge
Office Manager
2017-2018
Vivienne Helps
Chair
Robin Afrique Pouakouyou
Co-Chair
Priscilla Boateng
Secretary
Sarah Gimsby
Treasurer
Stijn Taal
Board Member
Ann Weller
Board Member
Sharmina Nasrin
Board Member
Morgan Banea
Board Member
Njoki Njoroge
Office Manager
2017-2018(2nd)
Stefan De Groote
Chair
Vivienne Helps
Co-Chair
Priscilla Boateng
Secretary
Sarah Gimsay
Treasurer
Stijn Taal
Board Member
Robin Afrique Pouakouyou
Board Member
Samaa Elkassaby
Board Member
Morgan Banea
Board Member
Njoki Njoroge
Office Manager
2016-2017
Mkuleko Hikwa
Chair
Christa Magbity
Co-Chair
Snehal Talathi
Secretary
Riccardo Cavicchi
Treasurer
Stijn Taal
Board Member
Kiki Knezevic
Board Member
Anindita Sarkar
Board Member
Vivienne Helps
Board Member
Beatrice Okao
Office Manager
2015-2016
Chianghua Hereward
Chair
Mike Monono
Co-Chair
Dilani Jayasekara
Secretary
Riccardo Cavicchi
Treasurer
Ben Campbell
Board Member
Stijn Taal
Board Member
Beatrice Okao
Office Manager