Meet the team

Lisa Reilly MSyl, has worked with the Global Interagency Security Forum (GISF) as Executive Director since 2011. She has over 16 years’ overseas experience in the development and humanitarian response sector, working in a variety of programme management roles in both Africa and Asia. Starting as an engineer, Lisa’s security knowledge comes from implementing programmes in various conflict and post-conflict countries.

In her current role, Lisa exercises overall responsibility for GISF, supporting the collaboration and exchange of information and best practice between members and the wider network of humanitarian security risk specialists, as well as liaising with and acting as a resource for UN agencies, academic institutions, donors, etc. The aim of GISF is to develop best practice for effective security risk management across the humanitarian and aid sector. (www.GISF.NGO)

Lisa’s work with GISF and her own therapy journey has led her to appreciate how staff mental health is an integral part of effective security risk management. She is a qualified counsellor and in her final year of advanced training (Level 7) for becoming a Transactional Analysis Therapist at the Berne Institute and now works with individuals and organisations to support well-being. (www.lisareilly.co.uk).

Lisa is also Co-Chair of the Inclusive Security, a Security Institute SIG and Winner of the 2020 Women in Security Awards, Contribution to Industry.

Heather Hughes joined the GISF secretariat in November 2019.

Heather was Oxfam GB’s first Global Security Adviser, where she worked for over 20 years, focusing on strategic and operational security risk management including policy and practice, learning and development, supporting and managing serious incidents and crises, lessons learned and networking. Her career in Oxfam began in humanitarian and development programme support and management roles, including the Balkans conflict.

After leaving Oxfam GB, Heather was Director of Risk Advisory Services at International Location Safety, where she worked with a wide range of NGOs to support improvements in their security risk management approach and practice.

Heather has been involved with GISF since its inception in 2006, and was a member of the Steering Group for many years. As Deputy Director she will support the strategic work of GISF.

Panos Navrozidis is a seasoned practitioner and thinker with 18 years of frontline humanitarian aid and emergency response experience in a range of contexts. As a Country Director for Action Against Hunger and the International Rescue Committee he worked in Ethiopia, Kenya and Greece setting a visionary direction for the respective organisations while advocating for principled humanitarian action on the ground. Earlier in his career he worked in Iraq, Pakistan, South Sudan, and Uganda building a more inclusive, adaptable, and accountable humanitarian future.

Having served in three Humanitarian Country Teams (HCTs), Panos has been involved in several high-level advocacy efforts as well as field negotiations allowing for sustainable humanitarian access in hard-to-reach communities. He is passionate about promoting mental health awareness across the sector and is also very active in providing pro bono support to local NGOs.

As Deputy Director for the Americas, Panos will support the Americas team.

Panos holds a MSc in Environment and Development from the London School of Economics and a BA in Political Science and Public Administration from the University of Athens, Greece.

Justina Amenu joined GISF in September 2014.

She has over 10 years’ experience in working with non-profit organisations – managing membership, event organisation, and general administration.

Justina graduated with a BA in Economics before embarking on a career in the not-for-profit sector (NfP). This journey and experience began as an Administrator with the Petroleum Exploration Society of Great Britain, PESGB. With increasing knowledge and experience in the sector she joined The InDus Entrepreneurs UK as Membership Director. After completing a Masters in Business Administration at the University of Westminster Business School, and a short career break, she joined the Society for Editors and Proofreaders Ltd (now Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading) as Executive Secretary.

Justina manages the business and operational functions of GISF - ensuring the secretariat is supported and runs smoothly.

Tara Arthur joined the GISF Secretariat in 2019.

Based in the US, Tara has a passion for working on cross-cutting solutions aimed at improving the lives of underserved populations, both domestically and internationally. With over 10 years' experience in the development and humanitarian space, she has served in various capacities including programmes, safety and security and advocacy, both in the field and at the headquarters level.

She holds a B.A. in Political Science from Virginia Wesleyan University and an M.A. in International Development & Social Change from Clark University. As well as this, she has over 25 years of experience in martial arts. Her most recent work before joining GISF was leading the Faces of Martial Arts Project, which included advancing social change concepts and initiatives within and around the martial arts community; including designing and conducting workshops, programmes, training and interviews.

In her role, she is responsible for fostering GISF member engagement in the Americas by developing member services including US-based Members' Forums, workshops, webinars, podcasts, and more.

Megan Hooson joined the GISF Secretariat in September 2020.

Megan graduated from Manchester Metropolitan University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature, in 2017. After graduating, Megan gained most of her experience by working as an administration assistant within the retail sector. Megan first joined the secretariat as an Admin and Projects Assistant, and after assisting with several projects, events and membership engagement, transitioned to become the European based Projects and Membership Officer in November 2021.

In her role, Megan is responsible for tracking, maintaining and enhancing GISF member engagement. The primary function is to develop the member services component of GISF, including bi-annual forums, workshops, webinars etc.

Chiara Jancke joined GISF in January 2021.

After completing her undergraduate degree in International Studies specialising in the Middle East at Leiden University, Chiara worked on different security issues while interning at the German Embassy in Washington, D.C. and the Centre for Strategic Studies in Jordan. Co-founding a refugee foundation in The Hague called Reach & Teach and interning at the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) in Amman motivated her to further investigate security from the humanitarian sector’s perspective. These experiences, as well as studying attacks on aid workers during her Master’s in Conflict, Security and Development at King’s College London, reaffirmed her commitment to work on protecting aid workers to achieve sustainable access for populations in need.

Chiara started as GISF's Research and Communications Assistant and became GISF's Research Advisor in November 2021. As Research Advisor, she works on initiating and developing original research and best practice guides to help humanitarian organisations face security issues. She also works on GISF's communications, policy and advocacy strategy and activities and promotes collaboration to facilitate information-sharing and dialogue on security risk management. She assists the GISF Director in coordination and capacity-building missions.

Scarlett joined GISF in January 2022.

After completing an undergraduate degree in History at King’s College London in 2019, Scarlett joined international humanitarian aid charity Human Appeal, first as an intern and then as an assistant in the compliance department. During this time, she worked with various departments on due diligence, policy management and risk management. Alongside this role, Scarlett studied a Master’s in International Development at the University of Manchester, during which she focussed on exploring the power dynamics between INGOs and local stakeholders. Through her studies and previous work experience, Scarlett developed a strong interest in helping communities affected by disaster and conflict.

In her role, Scarlett assists Chiara in the production of research publications and the creation of communications on GISF’s work.

Dan joined GISF in May 2022.

Since receiving his undergraduate degree in 2018, Dan has spent time working in various fields relating to political and global affairs. He worked for a couple of years on political campaigns as an organiser and policy adviser in his native Northern Virginia. Afterwards, he spent time working as an assistant English teacher in a suburb of Paris, France. Since his return states-side, Dan has worked or interned for a number of organisations focused on international human rights, conflict prevention, and development, including Search for Common Ground, Democracy for the Arab World Now, and International Crisis Group.

Abby joined GISF in March 2022.

Abby graduated from Manchester Metropolitan University with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Politics in 2018, focusing specifically on sexual violence as a tactic of war in conflict zones. Whilst focusing on this topic, Abby developed her knowledge and enthusiasm for the humanitarian sphere, graduating with a Master of Arts (MA) in Humanitarianism and Conflict response from the University of Manchester in 2021. Abby’s focus during her master’s was the unethical use of Artificial Intelligence to identify and target ethnic minorities in the Xinjiang Autonomous Region.

Abby also has several years of experience working in the mental health sector alongside her studies and is passionate about advocacy and empowerment of vulnerable individuals accessing mental health services.

In her role, Abby is responsible for providing administrative support to the GISF secretariat.

Linda joined GISF in July 2022.

Linda graduated from the University of Kentucky with a BA in Political Science and minored in International Relations with a concentration on comparative politics in Europe. She has volunteered or worked in the nonprofit sector since childhood and interned with Congressman John Yarmuth. Also, Linda has worked with local nonprofits in Kentucky such as Kentucky Refugee Ministries (KRM) and Catholic Charities of Louisville. She's had the opportunity to represent Cameroon on behalf of the University of Kentucky at the South Regional Model UN (SRMUN) conference and was able to pass two resolutions. Linda also participated in the Patterson School of Diplomacy Simulation Crisis as a communications officer for the US. Previously, Linda worked for a year and a half at ChildFund International as a Fundraising Coordinator providing support to donors, she also provided support to representatives as an escalation supervisor as well.

In her role, Linda will work closely with the Americas team and provide support on a plethora of projects, events, and budgeting.

Emily Daste joined the GISF Secretariat in August 2021.

Emily graduated from the University of Manchester in 2019 with a Bachelor of Science (Hons) in International Disaster Management and Humanitarian Response. Her key interests and research centered around civilian protection, global health, and the provision of aid in insecure environments.

During the pandemic, Emily volunteered for Hope for Justice, a modern slavery NGO, assisting the partnerships team with admin and donor support and has further experience in customer-facing and administrative roles. Her previous volunteer experience, working alongside refugees directly impacted by conflict and displacement, and supporting NGOs with research and policy writing, cemented her ambition to work within the humanitarian sector.

In her role, Emily works alongside the administration and projects team.

Isabel joined GISF in September 2021.

Isabel graduated from the Goldsmiths University of London with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Anthropology and Media. During her final year at university, she worked as social media producer for ‘The Visionaries’. It was during her time in education that she developed her enthusiasm for the humanitarian sector and is now interested in applying and developing her knowledge in policy and communications.

In her role, Isabel works alongside the research communications team.