United Nations Association Greater Seattle Chapter

Abdi is film graduate. He has led several successful creative companies. He has lectured at various colleges on issues such as personal transformation and on Iran. He was the Associate Producer on a travel film with Rick Steves for PBS and in May of 2009 co-led a delegation of UNA to Iran. Abdi leads 4 delegations/tours to Iran every year.

ARNP, MSN, MPH. Advanced practice nurse and public health provider with a practice focus on wellness, health promotion, and disease prevention. During her 9 years of service with UNA, she has been committed to social and human rights activism, gender equality, environmental issues, as well as global health.

Seattle native, graduate of UW (engineering), and MIT (science and international relations); retired technical consultant; former Washington State legislator; former coordinator, Puget Sound Millennium (Development) Goals Project; avid gardener and clam digger.

BS in Math Science, MS in Math Science, specialization in Environmental Science, 30+ years as U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Senior Compliance Investigator. Worked with World Bank Institute and UN Environmental Programme in developing environmental programs for Indonesia, Malaysia, Viet Nam, Cambodia, Thailand, Peoples Republican of China, Philippines, India, New Zealand and Australia. Senior trainer and author of EPA Inspector Training Manual conducting environmental compliance inspections, in 9th edition.

Career serving children and families as elementary school teacher and Head Start director for Seattle School District. Head Start manager for Northwest states. Clinical social work with Central Area Mental Health.

Gerri is a palliative care consultant and clinical faculty member of the University of Washington School of Nursing. She serves on the Board of Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility (past president). Since 1993, she has led numerous delegations to the Middle East.

MD (McGill), MPH & PhD (UC Berkeley). 27 years CDC/USPHS, Director WHO Collaborative Center for Reference & Research on Viral Hepatitis. Senior Vice President & Medical Director Program for Appropriate Technology in Health (PATH) – 15 years. Director Center for Immunizations & Technical Director for Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s Children’s Vaccine Program. Retired. Deeply interested in the work of the advocacy committee.

Jan has been a resident of the Puget Sound area for nearly twenty years and currently practices law in Snohomish County, focusing on Elder Law. She is a long-time member of the World Peace Through Law Section of the Washington State Bar, and has an abiding interest in issues of peace and justice. She was one of twenty-five who went on the two-week chapter tour to Iran in May.

Former Executive Director of Capitol Hill Chamber of Commerce and manager of Mithun Architects; candidate for State Representative in the 43rd Legislative District; past.president of UNA-USA Seattle Chapter; served on UNA-USA national board as Regional Director, represented UNA-USA at UN Special Session on Children; delegate on UNA tours in Iran, China, Viet Nam and Cambodia.

A second-generation UNA Seattle board member since 2005, Justin also serves as President of the Church Council of Greater Seattle and the Metropolitan Democratic Club of Seattle, is President Emeritus of the UW Multicultural Alumni Partnership and Principal of Simmons Enterprises, Inc., an international travel and campaign consulting firm.

Mitsue is an educator, event planner and writer. She has worked in Vietnam, U.S. and Korea and now lives in Seattle. A native of Hawaii, she has been in international education at the University of Hawaii, Stanford University, International Institute of Vietnam (Foreign Ministry University), Vietnam National University and Handong Global University in Korea. She has designed festivals in Hawaii on every island, some continuing as designed as self-sustaining community event.s. She is currently designing WaterCircles conversations in conjunction with a light and dance musical concert as a Puget Sound conservation event.

Peinda is originally from Senegal, West Africa. She teaches at the French American School of Puget Sound. She graduated from Cheikh Anta Diop University majoring in English literature. She began working as an interpreter and became aware of a high rate of illiteracy inside her hometown and some remote villages in Senegal and decided to devote herself in educational to helping all kids who do not have a chance to attend school and get the education they deserve.

A career educator, Rebecca established and directed The Language School of Spokane for second language education, language services, and multicultural exchanges. She began doctoral studies at Gonzaga University. After completing her PhD in “Educational Leadership.” She taught at Fatih University in Turkey. Community volunteer positions include environmental work, education, the arts and music, and progressive politics.

MPH (hospital administration), BSc (pharmacy). Worked 4 years in Borneo (pharmacy and hospital development), 18 years in Hong Kong (hospital and urban community health development), 3 years for Guyana Ministry of Health (rural primary health care systems/USAID), 4 years for Liberia MOH (pharmaceutical supply system/USAID), 4 years short-term work mainly for MOH pharmaceutical supply systems in African countries for USAID, WHO, UNICEF, DANIDA, etc. Since 2000 active in UNA Seattle as president, co-president and advocacy chair positions, and UNA-USA regional representative.

YPIC Chair. Degree in International Business, looking to be involved in resolving global humanitarian issues. Had past leadership roles in Key Club, has a passion to help others and a constant drive for new knowledge. Is the Program Coordinator for The Purple School and a coach for Seattle Synchronized Swim Team.

Dr. Wen received her Ph.D. from U.C. Berkeley, and has since been awarded dozens of patents and honors from major professional societies and corporations, including the “20th Century Woman” feature by Asahi News in Japan. Her company, Wen Technology, has also received numerous awards. Currently, she serves on panels for the National Academy and sits on several charity boards, focusing her efforts toward a better future.

Ph.D. (International Studies, Queen’s Univ, Ontario); MA (Pol. Sc., Univ. Manitoba), BA (Univ. W. Indies); Chair, Division of Social Sciences, Bellevue Community; College; Adjunct Prof EWU. Previous: Prof. Pol. Sc. Kwantlen Univ. College, Surrey, BC; Visiting faculty Pol. Sc. UBC; Visiting Prof. History and Pol. Sc. Royal Roads Military College, Victoria, BC; Asst. Prof. Simon Fraser Univ. BC.

Native Seattleite and UW Ph.D., taught college English at Seattle Central until retiring in 2004. Her scholarly focus has been on pathos as a narrative device and her professional focus on educational reform in Washington colleges. With her architect husband, Arne, she lives on Capitol Hill in an old Seattle home (1889) which they have maintained since 1962.

UNA Seattle board director ‘93-’04 & treasurer ‘96-’04. BA forestry and MPubAdmin/UW. Retired from U.S Corps of Engineers/Crittendon Locks. Also member of Abe Keller Peace Educ. Board and Peace Action Board. Interest area: disarmament.