About the Speakers

Oscar Garcia, is Argentine, was born in Buenos Aires and graduated in Philosophy and Literature from the National University of Córdoba in 1989. He currently teaches at the National University of San Martín on the degree program, Management of Civil Society Organizations. He has both a personal and an academic interest in volunteering within South America and globally. From 1996 to 2000 he was an International UNESCO Consultant for the National Volunteer Program of Brazil, within the framework of the State Program “Comunidade Solidaria”. He is a “Fellows IX” in the International Fellowship program of Partners of the Americas and the Kellogg Foundation. Since 1986 he has been a member of the International Association of Voluntary Effort (IAVE) where he served in various functions and positions, being Latin American Representative on the World Board of Directors for 8 years, from 1996 to 2002. During this time, he was a member of the drafting committee for the 2001 Universal Declaration of Volunteering.

David Styers represents volunteers at the United Nations as coordinator of the Volunteer Groups Alliance, and he has an extensive history of nearly three decades working at the forefront of nonprofit and civic engagement in leadership development. From 2000-2007 as Senior Director at the Points of Light Foundation, David partnered with more than 360 local Volunteer Center affiliates across the country to mobilize people and resources to deliver creative solutions to community problems. He has also served as North America board representative and Treasurer of IAVE and chair of the Council for Certification in Volunteer Administration (CCVA) and Volunteer Alexandria.

Nichole joined IAVE as the Executive Director in October 2019. Nichole has significant executive experience across environmental and social justice sectors and has led the engagement of a large network of global volunteers.  Her roles have included Mission Director/Head of PR at Stonyfield Organics, International Director of Learning at Earthwatch, Senior Manager, Outreach and Mobilization at Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) and Executive Director at Friends of the Public Garden and Boston Common. At Earthwatch Nichole led the implementation of a citizen-science volunteering program related to fresh water across 36 cities globally, developed and managed a sustainability leadership volunteering program that built a climate leadership network of 1400 finance executives across five continents. Nichole’s role at UUSC saw her lead the design and implementation of a capacity building strategy for global social justice grantees, and train and mobilise volunteers for disaster relief in Africa and Haiti.

Boram Kim is currently based in Bonn, Germany as Coordinator of the Plan of Action to integrate volunteering into the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme. She provides global oversight for the implementation of the Plan of Action through multi-stakeholder partnerships and advocacy at country, regional and global levels and represents the Plan of Action Secretariat designated by the UN General Assembly. Previously, she was Portfolio Manager for Europe and Central Asia covering over 25 countries at UNV. Boram began her assignment in the UN as UN Volunteer in the peacekeeping mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT) and subsequently served in UNDP Palestine and the UN peacekeeping mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) in the field of political affairs, governance, rule of law and human rights. Boram has extensive programming and policy experience, particularly in complex crisis and political settings and is passionate about people’s engagement for sustainable development.

Lejla Šehić Relić has been a civil society activist for over 25 years. Currently she is President of CEV – Centre for European Volunteering, CEO of Croatian Volunteer Development Centre, founder and managing director of organisation for social development DKolektiv. She has more than 20 years of experience in the field of volunteering and civil society in policy and practice, trainer and consultant for organizational development, co-author of several publications on volunteering, civil society and conflict management. Lejla holds university degree in public administration.

Samuel Turay is The Project Assistant for VSO International – Sierra Leone. Samuel Is a passionate volunteer and a youth activist. He was the Project Support officer, at VSO International – Sierra Leone as a National Volunteer, Coordinator and Founder of Sierra Leone Association of Volunteers which is a community base organization established to promote volunteering for development. He is also the National Coordinator of Volunteer Involving Organizations Network (VIONet) which was founded by VSO and co-founded by United Nations Volunteers. VIONet is the biggest volunteer network that is advancing volunteering for development in Sierra Leone.

Mohamed AL Hosani is the Director of Leadership and Empowerment at the Emirates Foundation. He is responsible for 3 major programs in the Foundation. One of these includes the Takatof Voluntary Social Program, where he leads in promoting a culture of volunteerism throughout the UAE. Mohamed also leads the National Emergency Response Volunteer Program (SANID), which trains volunteers on emergency crisis response. He also heads the Kafa’at Program which provides extensive leadership training for youth, enabling them to work in the private sector or start their own businesses. Mohamed also oversees the Emirates Award under the patronage of His Highness Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Minster of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the Emirates Foundation.

Mohamed AL Hosani is the Director of Leadership and Empowerment at the Emirates Foundation. He is responsible for 3 major programs in the Foundation. One of these includes the Takatof Voluntary Social Program, where he leads in promoting a culture of volunteerism throughout the UAE. Mohamed also leads the National Emergency Response Volunteer Program (SANID), which trains volunteers on emergency crisis response. He also heads the Kafa’at Program which provides extensive leadership training for youth, enabling them to work in the private sector or start their own businesses. Mohamed also oversees the Emirates Award under the patronage of His Highness Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Minster of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the Emirates Foundation.