The GDPC has a core team of dedicated staff based around the world, including Washington D.C. and Geneva. Meet our team members below.
Director, Preparedness, Climate, and GDPC
Omar has over fifteen years of experience working in non-profit, disaster and technical fields related to client service delivery and the interaction with government and voluntary agency partners. Omar has specialization in areas of cash programming, and mass care including emergency feeding, relief distribution and shelter in both domestic and international contexts. He leads the Global Disaster Preparedness team and Preparedness Services at American Red Cross International Services Department.
GDPC Manager
Senior manager with wide-ranging experience developing and managing innovative partnerships within the humanitarian and development sectors. Exploring the application of digital identity and blockchain technology for humanitarian assistance.
Manager, Climate Program
Providing technical support on climate risk management to the American Red Cross' international programs.
Consultant Urban Preparedness
Aynur has worked in the humanitarian and development field with diverse partners including, IFRC, UN organizations, World Bank, and local and national governments for more than twenty years. Besides having a sound understanding of current issues and challenges in the disaster risk reduction, preparedness and response fields she holds BS and MS degrees in city and regional planning. She has completed numerous analytical and strategic direction studies, independent evaluations and helped building institutional capacity in many countries in disaster management.
Jose Bonilla
Sr. Global Preparedness Lead
José started with the Red Cross in 1986 in the Youth program of the Costa Rica Red Cross. In his twenty years of experience in the Movement, José has worked as National Director for Disaster Preparedness and Prevention for the Costa Rica Red Cross, as founder and Coordinator of the renowned Reference Centre for Community Education for Disasters for the Americas and as a technical adviser for the creation of the Haitian Red Cross Training Centre.
Sr. Partnerships & Innovation Lead
Jessica has worked with the American Red Cross since 2001. In her role with GDPC she manages the Center’s digital tools, including the Universal App Program, the WhatNow Service, and Atlas: Ready for Business preparedness app, and PrepareCenter. She holds an MS in History & Sociology of Technology & Science from Georgia Tech and a Ph.D. in international development from Tulane University.
Manager, Preparedness Programs
Emily has spent much of her career in field locations with INGOs and joins the American Red Cross most recently from USAID. While at USAID, Emily was responsible for supporting strategic planning and overseeing humanitarian funding to partners in South Sudan. Prior to USAID, Emily spent 8 years with NGOs overseas, working in protracted and complex crises in Africa and Asia, where she supported both disaster preparedness and response. Emily received her Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from Beloit College, with a minor in African Politics.
Technical Advisor, Programs and Partnerships
Rita started with the American Red Cross in 2019 as a Disaster Program Manager. She has extensive experience working collaboratively in DRR with government partners, community-based organizations, and diverse communities. She served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Indonesia and holds a MA in Migration Studies from the University of San Francisco. Her professional experiences include teaching, working with asylum seekers, and advocating for linguistic rights through policy research.
Senior Research Scientist
Robin is a humanitarian practitioner and ethnographic researcher who explores the human and contextual factors of disaster and humanitarian response systems that lead to effective response. She received a Ph.D. from the Department of Human Centered Design & Engineering at the University of Washington for her work on ethics and technology within humanitarian systems.
Program Manager, Knowledge Management
Vlad is an accomplished professional in the international development and humanitarian space, with a diverse experience in various agencies and NGOs at both national and international levels. Prior to joining the American Red Cross, he worked at the World Bank, where he oversaw knowledge management and learning agenda for major thematic areas, facilitating knowledge sharing and exchange between regions and HQ. Vlad holds a master’s degree in Communication and Development Studies from Ohio University.
Regional Technical Advisor, AMEE
Pone has more than 9 years of experience with Red Cross and MSF in Community-and school-based disaster risk reduction, early warning system, management, capacity building and M&E. She holds a Master degree in Science, specializing in Disaster Preparedness, Mitigation and Management from Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand and a BS in Nursing.
Regional Technical Advisor, AMEE
Colin is passionate about Disaster Risk Reduction work, which has helped him engaged with Red Cross Red Crescent National Societies, Civil Society Organizations and governments across the Asia Pacific Region in the last 15 years. Key areas of interest include policy engagement and analysis on resilience, urban resilience and disaster induced displacement.
Climate Adaptation Program Manager
Matthew is a passionate climate scientist with a strong dedication to effective science communications. He supports the management of American Red Cross’ climate efforts, with focus on the international work. He has experience in national and international climate/environmental research endeavors, climate communications, and disaster exposure, risk, and vulnerability assessments. He holds a BS in Atmospheric Science from Cornell University and a MS in Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences from UCLA.
Research and Engagement Fellow
Adriana is a Colombian researcher with eight years of experience in the non-profit and international cooperation sector. Her work has been focused on the development of monitoring and evaluation tools of different types of public policy directed to vulnerable people and groups for nearly a decade. She has knowledge and experience of intercultural communication, particularly in relation to the ethnic and gender approaches for the attention and reparation of conflict victims. Through her experience in international aid, especially OIM, MSI, and FAO, she has engaged with different conflict-affected regions.
Volunteer Team
Click here for information about the talented volunteers who support the GDPC with their time and talents.