In 2025 we called for nominees to join the CHS Alliance Governing Board . The Governing Board was required to fill the following skillsets in order to ensure it was compliant with the provisions of the CHS Alliance Statutes:
- Person Affected by a Humanitarian Crisis (Independent with no formal affiliation to a member organisation): This person fulfils the general responsibilities of the Board, whilst strengthening it by providing an independent perspective from recent experience of being a recipient of the aid system. They will provide advice and critical guidance to maintain a strong focus on the needs of people in crisis.
- Financial Expertise (from a member organisation or independent): This person fulfils the general responsibilities of the Board, whilst also acting as the Treasurer, helping oversee the financial resources of the Alliance and will Chair the Finance, Risk and Audit Committee.
- Human resources, Organisational Development or People Management Expertise (from a member organisation): This person fulfils the general responsibilities of the Board, whilst providing oversight and support to the HR aspects of the CHS Alliance. This person will Chair the People, Culture and Complaints Committee.
We are very grateful to the following 12 people and their nominating organisations for putting themselves forward to support the leadership of the CHS Alliance.
Voting
- Voting will close on Friday 24th October .
- The Voting Focal point of each organisation will receive the details of how to vote before the General Assembly. Voting is for full members, who have paid their 2025 membership fees.
- Members will be informed of the results on Tuesday 28th October 2025.
If you have any questions or concerns about the Board election process, please contact us at ga@chsalliance.org.
2025 Board Election Candidates
Person Affected by a Humanitarian Crisis (Independent)
| Name | Nominating Organisation |
| Mr. John Ede | Christian Aid |
| Ms. Nour Jarrouj | International Rescue Committee |
| Mr. Peter Kidi Utong | Oxfam |
| Ms. Betty Yari | LM International |
Finance (Member / Independent)
| Name | Nominating Organisation | Member / Independent |
| Ms. Nancy Etté | Norwegian Refugee Council | Independent |
HR, Organisational Development or People Management Expertise (Members only)
| Name | Nominating Organisation | Candidates Position |
| Ms. Clare Condillac | British Red Cross / Mercy Corps | Chief People Officer |
| Ms. Marie-Claire Dejean-Pannier | Danish Refugee Council | Head of International HR Partnering |
| Ms. Janaina Elias Tavares | ActionAid International | Head of People and Culture |
| Mr. Kalend Tshibangu | Organisation pour la Protection de l’Environnement et la Nature | Chief Executive Officer |
| Ms. Daisy Akinyi Odheche | Moving The Goalposts – Kilifi | Human Resource and Administration Manager |
| Ms. Sarah Pelicaric | CAFOD | Head of People Operations |
| Mr. Riazullah Walli | Rural Rehabilitation Association for Afghanistan | Director |
Person Affected by a Humanitarian Crisis (Independent)
John Ede
Position: President and HC
Organisation: Ohaha Family Foundation
What motivates you to join the Alliance’s Board?
I would be honoured to work alongside fellow Board members to uphold and advance the Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS) in a manner that is both principled and transformative. The CHS Alliance Board membership offers a unique platform to translate frontline lessons and insights from the field into global policy and decision-making spaces and processes to raise awareness about the lived realities of crisis-affected populations in underrepresented regions and communities, a strong voice advocating for localization, transparency, and survivor-centered approaches, proven commitment to ethical leadership, equity, and participatory governance.
Nour Jarrouj
Position: Senior Engagement and Advocacy Manager
Organisation: Moving Minds Alliance
What motivates you to join the Alliance’s Board?
I believe that the people with lived experience of humanitarian crisis, need to be included in any relevant decision making that affects their lives. As a Syrian I survived a deadly war in Syria for 8 years before I became a refugee. I have been working in the humanitarian and development sector for over a decade and I have seen that despite the continuous efforts of humanitarian actors to support people in crisis, the people affected by crisis are rarely involved in decisions that addresses their needs and build on their existing capacities. I believe I will be able to bring both my lived and technical experience to support the CHS Alliance and its members and improve their work.
Peter Kidi Utong
Position: Independent
Organisation: Independent
What motivates you to join the Alliance’s Board?
I have been deeply engaged in community-level advocacy. I speak on behalf of those who are silenced by fear of deportation or intimidation. I have seen women and children pushed into despair, suicide, and dangerous journeys back across borders due to flawed aid policies. These are not abstract statistics for me, they are my daily reality. I bring to the CHS Alliance Board lived experience, creativity, and a strong commitment to accountability. I know what it means when humanitarian standards are not applied, when communities are excluded from decision-making, and when aid policies ignore the human cost. I want to contribute this perspective so that humanitarian systems are shaped not only by policy-makers, but also by the voices of those they affect.
Betty Yari
Position: Executive Director
Organisation: Center for Development Initiative
What motivates you to join the Alliance’s Board?
I am interested in joining the board because I have the experience and knowledge required to add value to CHS, particularly as CHS looks into being more inclusive of voices from the Global South and from people affected by disasters. I am not only experienced in responding to humanitarian crises and development but also as a representative of local voices on different platforms I will bring the views of disaster affected-communities to the global fora. Hailing from a background of an individual who has lived through conflicts and disasters allows me to bring the grass root realities of vulnerable communities to the discussions and enable us to influence and advocate for better management of affected populations.
Finance (Member / Independent)
Nancy Etté
Position: Independent
Organisation: Independent
What motivates you to join the Alliance’s Board?
I am motivated by a strong commitment to accountability and good governance. Having worked closely with the CHS at ACT Alliance and as a member of the CHS Alliance Finance, Risk and Audit Committee (FRAC) since 2023, I have seen how vital strong financial stewardship and governance are to sustaining its mission. As a potential independent Board member, based in Geneva, I would like to give back in a small but meaningful way to the global humanitarian community for which I feel deep admiration and connection. Serving as Treasurer would allow me to contribute both professionally and personally to this important collective effort.
HR / Organisational Development (Members only)
Clare Condillac
Position: Chief People Officer
Organisation: Mercy Corps
What motivates you to join the Alliance’s Board?
I am motivated by a conviction that in times of disruption, principled and people-centred leadership and accountability matter most. My career has focused on strengthening organisations so that they uphold dignity and safety and adapt to change without losing sight of their mission. The CHS Alliance embodies these commitments and can influence our sector at scale. In this season of profound change and crisis, joining the Board would allow me to contribute my experience in organisational transformation, HR, safeguarding and leadership to this collective endeavour, while serving as a steward of the values that first drew me to humanitarian work.
Marie-Claire Dejean-Pannier
Position: Head of International HR Partnering; Compensation and Benefits
Organisation:Danish Refugee Council
What motivates you to join the Alliance’s Board?
I am motivated to join the Board because I believe that effective humanitarian action depends on how we support, equip, and lead our people. With extensive experience in international HR, rewards, organisational development, and safeguarding, I can contribute a practical perspective on embedding CHS principles in policies, culture, and leadership. My work has included leading fair rewards reforms, strengthening safeguarding frameworks, and building leadership capacity across 46 countries. Joining the Board would allow me to bring this experience to the Alliance, advancing its mission and supporting the sector to be more accountable and people-centred.
Janaina Elias Tavares
Position: Head of People and Culture
Organisation: ActionAid International
What motivates you to join the Alliance’s Board?
I am motivated to join the CHS Alliance Board because its mission, advancing accountability, quality, and people-centered approaches in humanitarian and development work, aligns with my values and professional purpose. With over 20 years of international leadership experience, I have integrated diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and mental health into organizational strategies, recognizing their central role in safeguarding dignity, well-being, and resilience. The Alliance’s commitment to the Core Humanitarian Standard and Code of Conduct mirrors my belief that ethical governance, inclusion, and integrity must guide every decision and action. I bring proven expertise in culture transformation, leadership development, and cross-cultural collaboration, enabling organizations to translate strategy into measurable, sustainable outcomes. My global perspective and record of building healthy, high-performing teams position me to strengthen the Alliance’s governance and contribute meaningfully to its influence and impact worldwide.
Kalend Tshibangu
Position: Chief Executive Officer
Organisation: Organization for the Protection of the Environment and Nature
What motivates you to join the Alliance’s Board?
My motivation to join the CHS Alliance Board is rooted in my strong commitment to more effective, transparent humanitarian action that is deeply grounded in local realities. Drawing on my experience within the Localization Laboratory for Humanitarian Aid in the DRC, where I have contributed to promoting greater local ownership of interventions, I wish to bring this expertise to the strategic level of the Alliance. Joining the Board will allow me to strengthen collaboration among actors, share best practices from fragile contexts, and support inclusive governance that places communities at the heart of decision-making.
Daisy Akinyi Odheche
Position: Human Resource and Administration Manager
Organisation: Moving The Goalposts
What motivates you to join the Alliance’s Board?
I am motivated to join the CHS Alliance’s Board by my commitment to people-centered aid and my belief that dignity, trust, and fairness must guide humanitarian action. With extensive experience in Human Resources, I bring expertise in safe recruitment, grievance processes, and building accountable systems. I am passionate about inclusive organizational cultures and staff well-being, knowing that supported teams deliver greater impact. Serving on the Board would allow me to champion resilience, fairness, and ethical leadership while contributing strategically alongside others. My goal is to help strengthen accountability, foster collaboration, and ensure CHS principles are lived in daily practice.
Sarah Pelicaric
Position: Head of People Operations
Organisation: Catholic Agency for Overseas Development
What motivates you to join the Alliance’s Board?
I would like to be nominated for the Alliance Board so that I can continue to support the work of the Alliance. I have worked closely with the CHS Alliance since its inception. I am currently the Chair of the People, Culture & Complaints Committee at the CHSA so have an in-depth knowledge of the the Alliance and its needs. I would like to be considered for nomination to the Board to provide the Board with the HR expertise and oversight they require.
Riazullah Walli
Position: Director
Organisation: Rural Rehabilitation Association for Afghanistan
Why is the CHS Alliance important to the sector?
The CHS Alliance is vital for Afghanistan’s humanitarian sector as it provides clear standards for delivering life-saving assistance during crises. In a country facing emergencies and limited resources, CHS ensures accountability, dignity, and effectiveness in response efforts. It guides organizations to uphold quality, prevent harm, and strengthen trust with affected people, making humanitarian action more principled and impactful.
*As per article 21.1.1.5 of the Statutes.