GPIA Alumni by Sector: United Nations
Sector: Development, UN, Latin America
Name: Ximena Lucia Gonzalez Fernandez
Degree: MS International Affairs 2022
Title: Innovation and Entrepreneurship Specialist – UNDP Peru
Ximena Lucia Gonzalez Fernandez is currently an Innovation and Entrepreneurship Specialist for the United National Development Program (UNDP) in Peru. She has previously had seven years of experience in the development sector, leading programs and projects with the corporate sector, civil society, and the government.
Sector: UN, Development
Name: Bart VosWinkel
Degree: MA International Affairs 2022
Title: General Contractor, UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Financing for Sustainable Development Office
Bart is contractor for the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Financing for Sustainable Development Office, International Tax and Development Cooperation Branch. He previously interned in the same office. This role supports the FSDO in capacity development, supports the UN Committee of Experts on International Cooperation in Tax Matters, and the UN Second committee in intergovernmental negotiations on tax matters.
Sector: Gender, UN, Latin America
Name: Natalia Vega Varela
Degree: MA International Affairs 2020
Title: Senior Researcher, The Gender Equity Policy Institute
Natalia Vega Varela is currently Senior Researcher for the Gender Equity Policy Institute, where she carries analyses from a gender lens perspective. Her experience includes development policy, macroeconomics, and feminist economics analysis. Previously, she has collaborated with international institutions such as UNDESA, non-profits, and think tanks in the U.S. and Mexico.
Sector: Security, UN, Africa
Name: Cullen Barrie
Degree: MA International Affairs 2019
Title: Political Affairs Officer & Special Assistant to the Head of Field Office, Malakal – UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS)
Cullen Barrie began his career working for elected officials in municipal government before transitioning into political organizing and campaign management. From there, he decided to switch tracks and pursue a degree in International Affairs at The New School. Cullen is now a special assistant and political affairs officer, serving the head of office in Malakal. He works on various issues that touch all aspects of the field office’s work in Upper Nile State, South Sudan.
Sector: Non-Governmental Organizations, UN, Monitoring and Evaluation
Name: Stephanie Principal
Degree: MA International Affairs 2019
Title: Manager, Foundation Partnerships at UNICEF USA
Stephanie Principal is a project management professional with international and domestic experience in program development and management, partnership development, monitoring and evaluation (M&E), grant writing and grants management.
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Sector: Security, UN, Africa
Name: Cristina Petcu
Degree: MA International Affairs 2018
Title: Civil Affairs Officer in the Civil Affairs Division of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA)
Cristina Petcu leads MINUSMA’s work on strengthening civil society’s capacities to support the implementation of Mali’s 2015 peace agreement and the country’s return to constitutional order. A native of Romania, Cristina has previously worked with other offices of the UN system, think tanks and civil society coalitions on topics related to global governance reform, the management of armed groups, and the youth, peace and security agenda, among other global policy issues.
Sector: UN, Gender, Non-Governmental Organizations
Name: Lina Castellanos
Degree: MA International Affairs 2017
Title: Programme and Coordination Specialist, UN Women
Lina’s work focuses on programme development and stakeholder engagement to foster intergenerational and multi-stakeholder allyships with civil society organizations (CSOs) and grassroots organizations, as well as strengthening civil society contribution, participation, and influence in intergovernmental fora, policy discussions, and decision processes. Originally from Colombia, Lina has also worked on peace and security, particularly on policy and advocacy to advance the Women, Peace and Security Agenda. Prior to that work, Lina worked for the Colombian government on security and protection for populations at risk.
Sector: UN, Humanitarian, Arts, Culture, and Sports
Name: Natasha V Broodie
Degree: MA International Affairs 2015
Title: Strategic Communications Advisor | Interdisciplinary Artist
Spanning across 10 years of Humanitarian and Human Rights work within the United Nations Systems as a Programme Manager and Communications Advisor, Natasha is currently exploring new avenues in the Arts, Media, and Entertainment sectors in various countries. As an interdisciplinary artist, Natasha works on publishing and producing creative content that highlights the Black experience by authoring informative books on career development, producing operatic discographies, and submitting to international fellowships and art residencies.
Sector: UN, Development
Name: Anna Whitson-Diaz
Degree: MA International Affairs 2014
Title: Outreach and Partnerships Specialist, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
Anna is currently an Outreach and Partnerships Specialist for the International Aid Transparency Initiative at UNDP. In this role, she identifies and pursues opportunities for mobilization of key stakeholders from government, multilaterals, civil society, the private sector, IFIs, philanthropy, and others; and supports priority needs from UNDP program countries and Country Offices in the implementation of projects relevant to development cooperation. She has more than ten years of experience within the United Nations system, including providing partnership-building and advisory services on development cooperation, financing, and data.
Sector: UN, Gender, Youth
Name: Leyla Sharafi
Degree: MA International Affairs 2004
Title: Gender and Youth Specialist, UNFPA, New York
Sharafi’s work is centered on global initiatives that support women and girls’ empowerment, specifically in the context of sexual and reproductive health, as well as the engagement of men and boys for the promotion of gender equality. Prior to joining UNFPA, she worked at the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UN Women).