PHAP Secretariat

Executive Director
Angharad Laing

Angharad Laing has worked in the field of humanitarian policy since 2003 and has held her current position as Executive Director of the International Association of Professionals in Humanitarian Assistance and Protection (PHAP) since the organization was formally established in 2010. Previously, as a Program Associate with the Program on Humanitarian Policy and Conflict Research (HPCR) at Harvard University, Ms. Laing performed desk research, conducted field interviews, and prepared briefing notes on issues related to humanitarian law and policy. She also contributed to the production of policy papers, training sessions, seminars, conferences, and working groups. From 2005 to 2009, Ms. Laing focused in particular on the applicability of international humanitarian law to situations in the Middle East and conducted frequent research missions to the region, working with a wide range of international and local partners. Ms. Laing holds a bachelor’s degree from Harvard College and a master’s degree in public policy from the Harvard Kennedy School. Contact Angharad.

Barbara Trachsel has worked for over 13 years in international development and humanitarian assistance, especially related to Africa and Asia. Before joining PHAP in February 2012, Barbara played a leading role in developing the humanitarian assistance program of the Canadian international social justice organization Development and Peace, where she has been a Program Officer since 2001. Over those years, she also managed democratization programs in Southern Africa and reconstruction programs in South Asia. From February 2004 to September 2006, while on leave from Development and Peace, she worked as Finance and Administration Director for CoDevelopment Canada, where among other things she structured CoDev’s fundraising and communications efforts. Beyond her experience in international co-operation, Barbara has worked for various public and research institutions on organizational development, leadership and trust in project management, and management of nonprofit organizations. Barbara holds a Master’s degree in International Project Management from the School of Management of Universite du Quebec a Montreal, as well as a B.A in Anthropology from the University of Montreal. Contact Barbara.

Caterina holds a Master in International Affairs from the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, Geneva, Switzerland where she focused on international trade law and cross-sectoral issues, namely human rights and environmental protection. She holds a BA in Political Science and International Studies from the University of Pisa, Italy. Before joining PHAP as Communications and Events associate, she worked two years in Geneva, Switzerland for international and non-governmental organizations alike in the humanitarian policy area. Prior to joining PHAP, she spent several months in Jordan, volunteering with local NGOs. Contact Caterina.

Holding a Master of Politics and International Studies from Uppsala University, Sweden, Markus Forsberg has professional experience from UN institutions in New York and Geneva, the European Economic and Social Committee in Brussels, and the Uppsala Peace Museum. In his studies he has focused on the intersection of human rights, sanctions, and democracy, and he conducted a field study in Sri Lanka to evaluate the impact of the EU’s trade measures against the country. Contact Markus.

Róisín O’Grady received her undergraduate degree in Sociology and Social Policy from Trinity College Dublin, including a year of study at Umeå Universitet, Sweden. She received a diploma in Public Relations from the Public Relations Institute of Ireland and has worked for three years in communications for a number of non-profit organizations in both Ireland and Canada. Contact Róisín.

After 32 years of international service, Nils Kastberg is now working as an independent consultant and supporter of a variety of humanitarian and development causes. His last position with the UN was as UNICEF’s Representative in Sudan, and prior to that the Regional Director for the Latin America and Caribbean regions and the Director of the Office of Emergency Programs in New York. While working as a Counselor with the Permanent Mission of Sweden in Geneva, he also led the Task Force on HIV/AIDS Coordination. Mr. Kastberg has served as Permanent Representative of Sweden to the UN Organizations in Rome and the Chair of the Western Group and Vice-President of the Executive Board of the World Food Programme. He was seconded to the Office of the High Representative for International Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina, where he covered humanitarian and human rights issues in the northwest of the country. In Sweden, Mr. Kastberg has worked as the Head of Section for Central America with the Swedish International Development Authority and the Head of Section for Humanitarian Affairs with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Stockholm, Sweden. From 1980 to 1988, Mr. Kastberg served with UNHCR in various capacities, holding increasingly responsible positions in a variety of countries, including Zimbabwe, Sudan, Thailand, Switzerland, and Costa Rica. Contact Nils.