Bios of the Steering Committee Members 

Chairperson: Theresa Hasman

Originally from Denmark, Theresa B. Hasman lives in New York City with her family. Having lived in the city for a number of years, and following several years in South Asia, Moldova, the UK, and the Netherlands since 1998, Theresa has a good understanding of the nuances of expatriate life and the importance of building friendships across diverse cultures. She is committed to continuing to foster NYLESA’s international community feeling – a home away from home. In her professional capacity, Theresa is the Director of Admissions and Marketing at Nord Anglia International School in Gramercy. With the rest of the Steering Committee, she actively engages in creating opportunities for all members of NYLESA’s vibrant international community, including organizing events and workshops, and helping UN spouses and their families to transition smoothly to life in this big, dynamic city.  The Steering Committee is keen to make life for members easier and offer support where possible. We are always looking for efficient ways for members to obtain information and support, using different platforms, and feel NYLESA is a community of like-minded people where they feel safe to raise any questions they may have. Passionate about community-building and advocacy, Theresa is eager to enhance NYLESA’s visibility, influence, and impact. Both with UN organizations and other LESA groups around the world, making it easier for spouses to arrive in NYC and to relocate out of NYC when the time comes.

Co-Chairperson: Ksenia Chaika 

Originally from Moscow, Ksenia is an international development professional who has worked across Europe, Central Asia region and beyond. In early 2023, she relocated to New York City to join her partner and embrace a new chapter both personally and professionally. With a background in programme and knowledge management at UNDP, Ksenia now leads KM initiatives for KPMG’s International Development Assistance Service practice. The NYLESA community has been a cornerstone of her transition to life in New York, offering connection, support, and a sense of belonging. Grateful for the welcome she received, Ksenia is passionate about paying it forward sharing her journey, offering guidance to fellow newcomers, and helping build a warm and inclusive environment for all.

Treasurer: Eteri Papiashvili

From Tbilisi, Georgia, Eteri is a strategic communications and finance professional with over a decade of experience in nonprofit, media, and UN-affiliated organizations. She holds degrees in Journalism and Psychology and has led projects in media production, strategic outreach, and financial management. Before relocating to New York City with her UN spouse, she produced a nationally broadcast talk show and managed outreach for social impact initiatives. Since joining NYLESA, Eteri has found a vibrant community and now serves as Treasurer, overseeing budgeting, financial planning, and compliance, helping to ensure transparency and sustainability across NYLESA’s activities. Grateful for the support she received during her own transition, Eteri is dedicated to empowering and encouraging newcomers and helping to strengthen NYLESA’s welcoming and supportive environment.

Welcome Group Coordinator: Axel Swoboda

Axel is from Austria. An engineer for renewable energies, he lived for nine years in Egypt, then six years in Italy, which is where his wife is from. He arrived in New York in December last year. The NYLESA community provided him with invaluable support during the transition, helping him adjust to the challenges of seettling into a new environment. Axel is now member of the Steering Committee with the target to improve the process for newcomers and to increase the the size and reach of the NYLESA family.

Career Support Group Coordinator: Izu Shrestha

Originating from Kathmandu, Nepal, Izu is an accomplished MBA graduate and a dedicated Human Resources professional. Her background encompasses work with prominent international organizations, including IDP IELTS, WFP, and IELTS USA. Her international exposure includes extensive travel throughout Europe during a student exchange program. After three years in Samoa, she relocated to New York City in June 2024. The NYLESA community played a crucial role in her successful transition, offering guidance and fostering a sense of belonging. Driven by a desire to give back, Izu is committed to sharing her recent experiences and providing support to NYLESA members in her new role as Career Support Coordinator.

Communication Group Coordinator: Meriel Beattie

From the UK, Meriel is a journalist and editor who spent most of her adult life overseas as a foreign correspondent for Reuters, the BBC and The Independent – and as an editor for the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office. She’s lived and worked in Austria, the Balkans, Hungary, Pakistan, Turkey, Greece and most recently Russia. Here in NYC with her UN husband, she’s currently finishing a book. Thanks to NYLESA, she’s been delighted to make new friends from all over the world, to feel part of a really supportive community — and to have the chance to drink good coffee and cocktails in parts of the city she would never have found by herself. 

Function of the Steering Committee

• to take all appropriate measures to further the Purpose and Objectives of NYLESA in accordance with the Bylaws, and with the NYLESA Regulations;

• to implement decisions taken at Annual General Meetings and General Meetings;

• to create and adopt and implement policies, guidelines, rules and regulations for the effective day-to-day management of the affairs of NYLESA;

• to develop the NYLESA Annual Work Plan for approval at the Annual General Meeting;

• to implement the activities of the Annual Work Plan;

• to develop and present an Annual Report and a Financial Report for approval at the Annual General Meeting; and

• to provide relevant information to the Membership on the activities of NYLESA via the NYLESA website, and to maintain this information updated;

Responsibilities of the Steering Committee Members

Chairperson

• oversee all aspects of NYLESA operations, including outreach to schools, UN Organizations, and other relevant external organizations. Provide ongoing support and communication to the SC and NYLESA members;
• promote all affairs of the Association within the International Civil Service;

• prepare agendas and chair all meetings (including Annual General Meetings, Special and General Meetings, and Steering Committee Meetings) in consultation with the Steering Committee;

• support, coordinate and enhance the work of Working Groups;

• maintain relationships with the Global Expatriate Spouse Association (GESA), with contacts within the various International Civil Service entities in New York and other partners relevant to promoting and advocating the NYLESA’s Purpose and Objectives;

• guide, in consultation with the Working Group Coordinators, the development and updating or revision of NYLESA’s Annual Work Plan;

• coordinate and oversee the NYLESA’s Annual Report

• report regularly to the Steering Committee on his/her activities.

Co-Chair

• support and/or deputize for the NYLESA Chairperson in his/her responsibilities;

• disseminate all relevant information to NYLESA members;

• maintain an accurate record of NYLESA Members

• prepare and send out meeting invitations for NYLESA Annual General Meetings, Special General Meetings, General Meetings and Steering Committee Meetings;

• draft, circulate and maintain a record of minutes of NYLESA Annual General Meetings, Special General Meetings, General Meetings and Steering Committee Meetings; and

• report regularly to the Steering Committee on his/her activities.

Treasurer

• manage monies and money transactions held by or on behalf of NYLESA;

• maintain a detailed record of all income and expenditure; and

• draft NYLESA’s annual Financial Report; and

• report regularly to the Steering Committee on his/her activities.

Working Group Coordinators

• further the Purpose and Objectives of NYLESA in accordance with the Working Group’s mandate;

• report regularly to the Steering Committee on his/her activities, and those of the Working Group;

• prepare written contributions on the activities of the Working Group for inclusion in the NYLESA Annual Report;

• to provide information on the Working Group’s activities to the Members of NYLESA; and

• participate in the management and guidance of NYLESA in the Steering Committee.

We’d like to acknowledge the hard work and time spent by previous Steering Committees building our organization into the vibrant and active group it is today.

           SC Members (Mar 2024 – Mar 2025)
           Chairperson: Jeannette Throp
           Co-chairperson: Elisabeth Giselbrecht
           Treasurer: Ashma Khanun (Lal)
           Welcome Coordinator: Melanie Duguay
           Career Support Coordinator: Khushbu Patel
           Communication Coordinator: Juan Carlos Briceño

SC Members (Mar 2023 – Mar 2024)
Chairperson: Jeannette Throp
Co-chairperson: Ana Fahrni
Treasurer: Ashma Khanun (Lal)
Welcome Coordinator: Linh Nguyen
Career Support Coordinator: Khushbu Patel
Communication Coordinator: Juan Carlos Briceño

SC Members (Mar 2022 – Mar 2023)
Chairperson: Soraya King
Co-chairperson: Susanne Schwarz
Treasurer: Shyam Sharma
Welcome Coordinator: Jeannette Throp
Career Support Coordinator: Ana Danchevska
Communication Coordinator: Sandhya Subramanian

SC Members (Mar 2021 – Mar 2022)
Chairperson: Soraya King
Co-chairperson: Natalia Chernysh
Treasurer: Jooyoung Kim
Welcome Coordinator: Gift N Lwamba
Career Support Coordinator: Amelia Poveda Irles
Communication Coordinator: Ana Danchevska

SC Members (Jun 2020 – Mar 2021)

Chairperson: Yen Nguyen

Co-chairperson: Natalia Chernysh

Treasurer: Siham Bloch

Welcome Coordinator: Soraya King

Career Support Coordinator: Julien Soufflet

Communication Coordinator: Ana Danchevska

Interim SC Members (Mar-Jun 2020)

Chairperson: Maija Tiippana

Co-chairperson: Natalia Chernysh

Treasurer: Siham Bloch

Welcome Coordinator: Soraya King

Career Support Coordinator: Julien Soufflet

Communication Coordinator: Yen Nguyen

2019 – 2020

Chairperson: Davina E. Solomon

Co-chairperson: Alejandro Torrealba

Treasurer: Siham Bloch 

Welcome Coordinator: Francine Afane

Career Support Coordinator:  Hong Xiao

Communication Coordinator: Gabriel Amsellem

2018 – 2019

Chairperson: Tuba Durrani

Co-chairperson: Paola Triolo (March – October) / Davina E. Solomon (November – March) 

Treasurer: Eric Pasqualli 

Welcome Coordinator: Pierre Tamer (March – October) / Francine Afane

Career Support Coordinator: Nessreen Bahaa Edin Abuzeid (March – May)/ Hong Xiao

Communication Coordinator: Shivani Berry (March – August) / Davina E. Solomon (Acting co-ordinator) / Zein Dudha  (November – March) 

2017-2018

Chairperson: Tuba Durrani

Co-chairperson: Paola Triolo

Treasurer: Eric Pasqualli

Welcome Coordinator: Odalea Freire

Career Support Coordinator: Nessreen Bahaa Edin Abuzeid

Communication Coordinator (external): Nina Eneroth / Yen Nguyen (Acting co-ordinator)

Communication Co-ordinator (internal): Fiorella Vitale (March – November) / Davina E. Solomon – Weekly Agenda (January – March)

2016-17

Chair: Banu Chediek

Co-chair: Teresa Lago

Treasurer: Pascal Commovick

CWG: Rosalía Galan

CSWG: Saionara König-Reis

WWG: Nada Pottinger

2015-16

Chair: Michelle Negreros

Co-chair: Florina Aldeas

Treasurer: Carlos Martinez

CWG: Clare Robertson

CSWG: Ruwanthika Geeganage

WWG: Annette Wolter/Nada Pottinger

2014-15
Chair: Olivier Caudron
Co-chair: Michelle Negreros
Treasurer: Francesca De Cesare
CWG: Julia Tilinga
CSWG: Cristina Bertarelli
WWG: Florina Aldea

2013-14
Chair: Olivier Caudron
Co-chair: Michelle Negreros
Treasurer: Teresa Sola
CWG: Paul Henderson
CSWG: Elizabeth Nash
WWG: Florina Aldea

2012-13
Chair: Angela Bamblett
Co-chair: Teresa Sola
Treasurer: Francesse Bertrand
CWG: Sirkku Lakkonen
CSWG: Dorian Lacombe
WWG: Olivier Caudron

2011-12
Chair: Mayank Jain
Co-chair: Lora Davis & Dorian Lacombe
Treasurer: Elsa Begne
CWG: Sirkku Lakkonen
CSWG: Ravi Kumar Gandham
WWG: Teresa Sola