GISF’s Steering Group

Thomas is the Chief Security Officer for Access Now. He is responsible for overseeing policies, programmes, and strategies to mitigate and reduce digital, physical, and operational security risks for the organisation and its staff. Prior to joining Access Now, Thom spent five years as the Global Security Manager for Transparency International, supporting the safety and security of anti-corruption activists. With a background in conflict analysis and a Master's in Post-War Recovery Studies, he worked for several years in the humanitarian and development sector, at both the field and HQ level, across parts of South East Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.

Marieke van Weerden has made her career in the humanitarian security sector, climbing through the ranks into her current leadership position as Director of Health, Safety and Security at Catholic Relief Services, one of the world’s largest aid agencies. Marieke has an academic background in history and human rights and has evolved her hands-on risk management experience with strategic insights at IE Business School, University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton Business School and Yale. She is passionate about building a career pathway for humanitarian security professionals, revolutionising the security narrative and driving the creation of a security community widely known for its innovation, resilience and agility.

Debra Boudreaux is the Chief International Affairs Officer of the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation, where she leads global partnerships, humanitarian diplomacy, and international strategic engagement. With more than 36 years of experience in humanitarian assistance, disaster management, healthcare, public health, and nonprofit leadership, she has developed partnerships with governments, United Nations agencies, international NGOs, and faith-based organizations worldwide. Her work has supported responses to major humanitarian crises and public health emergencies, while advancing community resilience, volunteer engagement, localization, and cross-sector collaboration. She serves in international leadership roles that promote interfaith dialogue, humanitarian cooperation, and sustainable development. As a GISF Steering Group Representative, Debra is committed to strengthening humanitarian security through partnership, good governance, shared learning, and locally led solutions. She believes that trusted collaboration among humanitarian actors is essential to protecting communities and enabling effective humanitarian action in increasingly complex environments.

Sabina is the Senior Global Security Adviser for the Danish Red Cross, bringing over 15 years experience in the international humanitarian sector, both nationally and internationally. She is responsible for the advancement of the organisation’s policies and strategies in line with international and sector standards and best practice, and ensuring operational security risk management delivers access to those most in need. As part of the wider Red Cross / Red Crescent Movement security network, Sabina focusses on fostering alignment between partners for collective Duty of Care improvement. She is passionate about building a security risk community of professionals from mixed backgrounds and disciplines, and is driven by the desire to ensure those who deliver humanitarian work feel safe and supported whilst doing so.

Christopher C. Daniel serves as the Director of Global Safety and Security at Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI). Before joining HFHI, Chris spent nine years as the founding Director of Global Health, Safety, and Security at Michigan State University, where he built and led the institution’s first comprehensive global safety program. Across a career spanning three decades, Chris has partnered with the U.S. Peace Corps, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, World Connect, World Vision, Catholic Relief Services, USAID, Partners in Health, and multiple governments, private-sector organisations, and multilateral bodies including the United Nations. In addition to his international work, he has directed major domestic preparedness efforts for federal and state agencies across the United States. His expertise centres on designing and leading innovative, mission‑driven safety, security, and humanitarian initiatives.

Neil brings over 25 years of international experience in humanitarian emergency response and security risk management to GISF’s Steering Group. His expertise includes de-mining, civil/military liaison, and coordination for rapid and complex emergencies. Neil has held both operational and senior HQ roles at various organisations, including Save the Children UK, GOAL, and CARE. Neil holds a postgraduate degree in International Security from Cranfield University at the Defence Academy and currently serves as the Global Head of Security for Oxfam International.

Michael Hilton hopes to bring to GISF’s Steering Group a broad range experience with over 20 years spent working for NNGOs, INGOs, the ICRC and the UN at the global, national and sub national level. As global security advisor for Concern Worldwide, one of the most enjoyable aspects of his current role are regular deployments to high & medium risk environments in Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean. During the past 8 years with Concern, he has been privileged to contribute to the development of organisational security policy as well as country level security management plans, security risk analysis techniques, and deliverables. Michael really enjoy participating in capacity sharing opportunities and initiatives with staff and partners. He hold a master’s degree in development studies and a bachelor’s degree in economics.

Maureen began her humanitarian career in programming and operational management. After spending fifteen years in leadership roles with the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) in Central and West Africa and the Middle East, she joined the organisation’s global team. She is currently the Executive Director for Field Operations. Maureen focuses on how Security Risk Management, Duty of Care, and Humanitarian Access strategies come together to enable principled programming in a safe manner for communities, partners, and staff. Maureen holds degrees in International Relations from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and in Communications for Development from Ohio University.

Irem Mazmangi is the Senior Director for Global Safety & Security at the International Rescue Committee where he leads the organization’s efforts to enable safe access to crisis-affected communities across more than 40 countries. With more than 15 years in the sector, Irem began his career in the MENA region where he co-founded and chaired the first interagency humanitarian access and security forum which remains active today. He holds an MBA from Aston University and is an ASIS-certified Protection Professional (CPP). Irem is passionate about professionalizing humanitarian security, building clear career pathways for practitioners, and ensuring field-based voices shape the sector's future.
 

Asaph brings over a decade of humanitarian security experience to the Steering Group, including roles with the UN in the safety and security of peacekeepers. Currently, Asaph is Global Security Advisor for Trócaire based in Kenya, leading their global work on Partner Security Risk Management. His focus is on building equitable, locally owned security structures with national and local NGOs, and ensuring that risk management is responsive, inclusive, and grounded in operational realities. He holds a post graduate diploma in data science and business analytics from the University of Texas at Austin. Asaph is driven by a profound dedication to safeguarding vulnerable communities, and ensuring that security measures are not only effective but also compassionate, culturally sensitive, and accessible to those most in need.

Anne-Céline is a political risk analyst and humanitarian aid specialist with over 20 years of experience across international NGOs. She has served in various roles, including programs manager, field coordinator, and head of mission, with organisations like Solidarité International, Première Urgence and the ICRC. With extensive field experience in Africa and the Middle East, Anne-Céline has developed expertise in population protection, networking, security management, and access negotiation. She currently serves as the Director of Security and Access for Action Against Hunger France.

Paul is a passionate and dedicated professional, with over three decades of experience within the sector. After leaving the Royal Air Force in 1991, Paul began working within the Safety & Security Industry. He joined GOAL late 2018, having previously worked alongside various international and regional organisations in Africa. Paul currently lives in Rwanda, serving as GOAL’s Global Safety & Access Advisor.