The 2024-2025 Board

Dominic Cover
Chair

Dominic Cover is a Mechanical Engineer with over 11 years of experience in the food processing industry, specializing in AutoCAD, PLC controls, and energy management. As the 2023-2024 Networking and Advocacy Coordinator for UNKLESA, he led initiatives that enhanced member engagement and resource access, including key events such as the JMS Health Services Refresher Webinar and Host Country Access Sessions. Dominic also collaborated with UNFPA to launch a series of "Life in Nairobi" webinars that assisted in relocating UN staff to Nairobi. He also organized the inaugural "Diplomatic Mingle", which fostered connections between UNKLESA members and the greater diplomatic community. His technical expertise, project management skills, and community advocacy have enabled him to connect expatriate members with credible realtors and schools, easing their transition to Kenya. 

As Chairperson, Dominic envisions fostering a supportive expatriate community by improving access to resources, expanding integration services, and increasing collaboration with key partners. He aims to organize impactful events and enhance professional and personal development opportunities for UNKLESA members while strengthening ties with UN agencies and the broader Kenyan diplomatic community.

Sameer Kermalli
Secretary

Sameer Kermalli, a spirited and energetic individual, is known for his lively demeanor and unwavering dedication to every task. With past leadership experience as the UNKLESA Chair (2021-2022) and as an Event Planner for UNON in 2023, Sameer has organized impactful events and brought people together through his vibrant personality. His technical skills as a Graphics Designer for initiatives such as the UNON Anti-Racism Campaign, UNESCO, and UN Women highlight his creative expertise. In addition, he has entrepreneurial experience from running several companies, and his academic background includes a Master's in Journalism and an undergraduate degree in Engineering.

As Secretary, Sameer envisions expanding UNKLESA's reach by embedding more UN agencies into the organization to secure greater funding and resources during the upcoming term.

Mark Patterson
Finance and Budget Officer

Mark Patterson, originally from Sri Lanka and now residing in Kenya, brings over 24 years of experience in humanitarian and development work. With a Master's in Business Administration and a postgraduate diploma in Strategic Planning and Leadership, he has held senior management roles in agencies like the UN, World Bank (IFC), Save the Children and more. Mark has extensive experience in fund management, budgeting, and leading emergency programs, having managed over $10 million in donor funds from agencies like EU, ECHO, UNICEF, and USAID. His expertise includes financial management, fundraising, and partnership building.

As UNKLESA’s Finance and Budget Officer, Mark's vision is to enhance financial sustainability through effective fund management and innovative fundraising initiatives. He aims to ensure timely and accurate financial documentation to meet donor compliance and attract new funding agencies. He is committed to transparency and leveraging his negotiation and partnership skills to design impactful programs for UNKLESA members.

Gulraze Shafiq
Family & Peer Support

Gulraze joined UNKLESA in 2015. She is a Pakistani National and a UNOPS spouse. Prior to arriving in Nairobi she worked with a non-governmental organisation for education and women empowerment in Pakistan. She was engaged in promoting skill-development programs for women, as she personally believes that economic empowerment is the key to the overall wellbeing of a woman.

Gulraze was also part of fundraising for girls’ education through government departments and non-profits while teaching in a high school for over 4 years. Those funds were used to get school supplies for underprivileged students. In addition to that, Gulraze has received a Bachelor’s in Education and a Masters in Political Science from Pakistan, a Masters in International Relations from United States International University-Africa.

Furthermore, Gulraze is a family-oriented woman and a mother of two wonderful young kids, a son and a daughter. She has volunteered for the UNKLESA election committee 2021-2022 to encourage members to participate in the election process. She also leads a crochet class for UNKLESA members, to assist in the association’s annual goal of providing baby hats to premature babies in Nairobi Hospitals. She has volunteered in cooking classes organised by UNKLESA. She has also worked as a volunteer at UNKLESA office in UNON.

Shreyasi Som
Training & Development

Shreyasi Som Chaudhuri, an Indian national and Electronics Engineer, has been part of the UNKLESA as office volunteer since relocating to Nairobi in 2022. She became part of the Board as the Training and Development Coordinator in November 2023. She formerly worked in the Indian IT sector for almost a decade, managing multinational clients and difficult projects. She brings strong organizational and problem-solving skills to her present role. She has effectively cooperated with many UN agencies to provide training opportunities and implement new initiatives, such as a professional Swahili instructor for UNKLESA's language events. Shreyasi has also assisted members with UNKLESA's online learning programmes.

Her objective as Training and Development Coordinator is to establish ties with UN agencies and other partners in order to provide additional opportunities for members. She intends to organize fresh and flexible learning opportunities to help people broaden their skill sets and advance their careers. Furthermore, she intends to collaborate closely with other teams to increase UNKLESA's visibility and recognition in the community.

Jocelyn Walters-Brannon
Networking & Advocacy

Jocelyn Walters-Brannon is a dedicated public service professional and UNON spouse originally from South Carolina. With an undergraduate degree from the University of Georgia in Journalism and Mass Communications and a master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Georgia’s School of Public and International Affairs, she has over 20 years of experience in multi-level governance, communications, and nonprofit management. Jocelyn has held broadcasting roles in AM/FM radio, with CNN, and acting and voiceover work with SC Educational TV. Additionally, she has worked in grants management and public health communications with organizations like AmeriCorps, South Carolina Department of Environmental Services, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Her most recent professional experiences include advocating for vulnerable communities during the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring that citizens had access to critical information and medical and vaccination resources. As the Advocacy & Networking Coordinator for UNKLESA, Jocelyn aims to connect spouses and partners of UN staff members with essential resources through engaging briefings, presentations, and panel discussions. She is committed to promoting collaboration within the UN community and looks forward to supporting the UNKLESA Board in achieving its mission and goals.

Emmanuel Mwebe Kimera
Communications & Outreach

Emmanuel Mwebe Kimera is a Ugandan telecom and data engineer, currently serving as the Communications and Outreach Coordinator for UNKLESA. A UNICEF spouse, he brings five years of experience in marketing and data analytics, developing a keen ability to connect with people and leverage data for informed decision-making. Since relocating to Kenya in April 2024, Emmanuel has actively contributed to UNKLESA, documenting 11 key events through photography and enhancing the organization’s website with engaging narratives that showcase its global impact.

He believes that effective communication goes beyond words; it involves creating meaningful connections and engaging with audiences in enjoyable and impactful ways. Emmanuel’s strengths include teamwork, strategic communication, and creative thinking, allowing him to craft compelling content tailored for diverse audiences. He is culturally aware, having worked with various groups, and values flexibility in adapting to new challenges.

Emmanuel envisions UNKLESA as a vibrant, supportive network where every member feels valued and engaged. To achieve this, he aims to utilize both traditional and digital communication platforms to reach a wider audience and enhance outreach efforts, ensuring that UNKLESA’s activities effectively meet the needs of the community it serves.

Sharon Muganda
Office Manager

Currently serving as the Office Manager at UNKLESA, Sharon is a trained dietician with expertise in project management and an American citizen.  She oversees the organization’s daily functions and ensures operational efficiency. Her excellent organizational and administrative skills help streamline workflows and support the team in accomplishing its objectives. She is dedicated to maintaining a well-coordinated environment that fosters productivity and collaboration within UNKLESA. 

Before moving to Nairobi from California with her family, Sharon, who has over 15 years of experience, worked at the Cedar Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. She also worked in the Nutrition department of the Long Beach Unified School District in California. She formerly served as a project coordinator at the World Agroforestry Center's, African Women in Agricultural & Research Development program in Nairobi, Kenya.  She is excited about the new year and encourages all UNKLESA members to touch base with her for volunteer opportunities.

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