TransforME Now has a diverse team of 29 expert facilitators from across the globe. Together we represent 15 countries, speak 15 languages, and have over 410 total years of experience, averaging 21 years per person. Many of us have worked in the UN or facilitated for the UN system for years. Fourteen are trained leadership and professional development coaches.
Our facilitators expertise covers: leadership and management skills, culture change, inclusion and diversity, anti-harassment, bullying and discrimination, gender and racial equality, LGBTQ+ inclusion, social justice and building effective teams.
Nicole Deutsch
After a 20 year career with the UN, Nicole founded TransforME Now to combat harassment, abuse and discrimination through engaging face-to-face culture change workshops. Trained by UN System Staff College, Nicole has facilitated UN Country Team workshops on team-building and working in multicultural teams, UN Reform and UN Development Assistance Frameworks for more than 200 staff across the globe, representing over 40 nationalities. She also supervised cascade trainings reaching over 80,000 field consultants and community leaders. Nicole has expertise in behaviour change, change management, community mobilization, communication, advocacy, and engaging partners. She is a certified coach and teaches Sociology at City University of New York. Nicole has lived in five regions around the world and speaks several languages. She holds degrees from Barnard College and Columbia University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.
Douglas Passanisi
Douglas specialises in coaching, instructing, and training leaders and teams to address management, organizational change, and diversity and inclusion in the workplace. He has been facilitating events for strategic planning, team diagnostics, and segues to UN retirement. Doug has over 30 years of development experience in private sector and bi- and multi-lateral institutions. He served in the UN for nearly 20 years, most recently as Chief of Staff for External Affairs, Director for resource mobilization, and Deputy for inter agency affairs at UNDP.
Neeru Gupta
Neeru Gupta has been enabling evolution of people and hence transformation of organizations for over two decades. Neeru has worked with the UN in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Iraq, Nepal, Sri- Lanka, Regional Offices of UNICEF in Southern and Eastern Asia. She was Learning Manager for McKinsey and a Lead Coach for USHA. Neeru has been helping women overcome gender conditioning, balancing power relations, building networks and enabling their true self- empowerment. What differentiates Neeru is her insightful, creative and action-oriented approach. Neeru has an MBA in Marketing at Symbiosis Institute of Management Studies, a certificate in Facilitation from Leadership Management Inc® USA (LMI), and is a Certified Personal Insights Workshop Facilitator by McKinsey & Company.
Francisco Ramirez
Francisco Ramirez, MPH is an award-winning facilitator and consultant, helping UN organizations and NGOs build a more equitable and inclusive workplace community. With 24 years of experience in the field, and 15 years within the UN, Francisco delivers engaging and actionable workshops on sexual respect, gender, power relations, and sexual violence prevention in more than a dozen countries--within the UN system and the private sector. He facilitated the 'UN for All' diversity and inclusion workshops for UN Cares.
Sandra Colhando
Sandra Colhando is an international facilitator, ICF leadership coach & TEDx speaker with over 20 years of experience in helping people grow consciously. She specializes in working with organizations in embracing daring leadership, acknowledging courage through vulnerability to create strong collaborative units, build gender equality through women empowerment, diversity and culture change initiatives. Sandra’s unique approach lies in coupling deep transformational methods of Gestalt with more scientific methods of Neuroscience for people to realize their blocks and rise strong.
Tudor Kovacs
Tudor has worked as a trainer/facilitator/instructional designer/trainer of trainers/training manager in diverse settings and with a variety of topics, specializing in learning experiences focused on individual and group behavior and attitudinal change, based on learning theories, counselling and impact measurement principles (including Motivational Interviewing and Experiential Learning Theory). He facilitated the 'UN for All' diversity and inclusion workshops for UN Cares.
Nooriya Koshen
Nooriya is a highly experienced group facilitator and leadership coach. Consultant with over 30 years of international experience in management, coaching, training, and facilitation. Worked for the UN in Switzerland, Namibia and Kenya. Following retirement, trained and facilitated with the UN and international Non-Governmental Organisations in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. A faculty member with Duke University CE on their iLead programme for managers of Barclays/ABSA banks and First National Bank in South Africa and for Goldfields a major South African mining corporation.
Busi Dlamini
Busi is a dialogue practitioner focusing on social justice and transformation with 18 years of facilitation and training experience. Her expertise lies in organisational and culture change, diversity and inclusion (including gender norms, discrimination, sexual harassment, exploitation, abuse and bullying) and leadership development. Busi brings experience of social innovation on complex social issues using systems thinking methodology and scenario planning. Other areas of work include Food Security, Mining Safety, health sector scenarios, Rural Poverty and social entrepreneurship.
Roxana Marin
Roxana has over 25 years of experience in international development and training. She creates reflection and learning spaces where technical expertise is as important as empathy or humour. She has worked with UNICEF and Save the Children in Romania and important international agencies such as OSI, DOW, PSI or JSI, training in diversity and inclusion to small and large groups of up to 250 people. From harm-reduction to prevention of domestic violence or combating racism, homophobia and transphobia, Roxana’s training portfolio includes workshops and short-term courses that assist participants in discovering and embracing solutions towards a more inclusive future. Roxana trains and advises organizations and companies on making their work environments more LGBT+ and Roma inclusive (these include IBM, Oracle, Vertiv and Amber Studio). She also trains education professionals, local and regional administration professionals and non-profit professionals on gender and ethnic diversity awareness. She was part of the UNHCR Reflective Leadership Dialogues for equitable workplaces.
M’hamed Kouidmi
With 11 years of experience in international organizations, M’Hamed is a social entrepreneur who has managed projects ranging from training and learning pedagogy on diversity and inclusion, education and professional integration, and territorial economic development. He facilitates discussions and delivers speeches on topics of diversity, equity and inclusion, especially on women empowerment in the workplace. Passionate about learning and developing human capital, he endeavours to take advantage of technological tools and educational innovation to develop 360º training projects adapted to the learner and their environment with attention to cost, quality and time. As a coach, he aims to provide actionable tools for teams and individuals to dig deeper into their potential. He previously contributed to the Algerian Governmental Strategy on Local Economic Development with GIZ, developed Clusters for the Cultural and Creative Industry with UNIDO, analysed Green and Circular Economy programs for the AFD, raised +300k$ for an employment accelerator MAHARA'TY and was named among the 100 Africans of 2018 by New African Magazine.
Yumi Terahata
Yumi has over 16 years of field experience leading programs for non-profit organizations in the Middle East and Asia, from tiny grassroots set-ups to international NGOs including International Medical Corps, International Refugee Committee, the Netherlands Red Cross, and UNRWA. As a systems coach and facilitator, she brings in an intercultural lens to support people to raise their collective awareness about how they function together and to make informed, conscious choices towards their goals. Yumi’s specialty is in supporting people of diverse backgrounds to communicate better, gain clarity and alignment, and leverage their differences for creative collaboration. She is a certified Organizational and Relationship Systems Coach (ORSCC) and Co-Active Coach (CPCC). Yumi speaks English, Japanese, and decent Palestinian Arabic from having lived nearly a decade in the Gaza Strip.
Babou Olengha Aaby
A seasoned TEDx Women speaker, Babou is a passionate advocate for female entrepreneurship, greater diversity and mindfulness in business. She develops activities that deliver visibility-as-a-service to women and minimise unconscious bias in the work- place. She facilitates discussions on gender and bias. She has delivered talks on the rise of female entrepreneurship, economic empowerment of women, enterprising and working motherhood, a collaborative economy and investing in gender equity. She has mentored and coached women and small ‘business underdogs’ to achieve their potential by a mindful approach integrating their personal and professional lives and aspirations through strategic thinking. She contributes to Forbes on women led workplaces and makes the case for why investing in women is no longer just a gender issue but an economic one. Babou was awarded an Honorary Female Entrepreneurship Award, at the 4th European Congress of Small Businesses (2014) in Poland for her commitment to gender parity in business.
Masao Patrick Kindiano
Patrick has been an assessor, Coach, facilitator, and consultant for over 30 years specializing in Human Resource and Organizational Development. He is facilitator in management and leadership skills development at different levels. He has facilitated various events in over 40 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, Middle East, and the Pacific Islands. In collaboration with ENCOMPASS, for the last eight years, he has conducted various Management Development Programmes (MDP) for the UN Secretariat and Department of Peace Keeping Operations (DPKO) Managers. He is also conducting Performance Management workshops for UNICEF Country Offices in their endeavour to change the performance culture of the organization. He has coached, facilitated various events, and conducted assessment centres for various UN Agencies including, UNICEF, WHO, UNESCO, IFAD, FAO, WFP, WIPO, and ICC.
Nancy K. Raphael
Nancy has over 30 years of human resources experience in the international not-for-profit sector. Nancy works with individuals to develop and refine leadership skills, deal effectively with transitions, tackle difficult performance and deal with sensitive issues within the workplace, including cases of harassment and abuse of authority. Her career includes appointments as Director of Human Resources for UNAIDS; Regional Chief of Human Resources for UNICEF for Eastern Europe and Central Asia and Chief, Staff Relations for UNICEF HQ, dealing with cases of sexual and workplace harassment and abuse of authority. Nancy holds a certification in executive coaching from the Columbia University, an M.S. in Human Resources from the New School University, specializing in Organizational Development, and certification from the UN as an investigator in cases of harassment.
Raana Syed
Raana is a highly experienced group facilitator and designer of learning programmes for key areas including, human rights, gender and inclusion. She worked in UNICEF for 23 year and during this period, training design and facilitation were important areas of her work. She also has 10 years experience in the private sector. Raana has also designed a facilitated a number of trainings for public sector in Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
Callie Chamberlain
Callie Chamberlain is committed to health, health care, and well-being for all. She believes convening a diversity of people and creating space for dialogue is key to achieving this commitment. As such, Callie has facilitated training for hundreds of leaders around the world focused on strengthening communities and building more just, vibrant, and equitable societies. She has contributed to the development of Youth 2030: the UN Youth Strategy and supported initiatives driven by the MiSK Foundation and Union for the Mediterranean. As a UN Peacebuilding Fellow, Callie has worked across Egypt, Morocco, and Qatar to prevent violent extremism and ensure gender parity in leadership.
Marissa Davis
Marissa Davis is a seasoned social impact, inclusion strategist, dialogue facilitator and educator who spearheads innovative impact initiatives with a focus on underrepresented communities. She facilitates group dialogues on race, equity and inclusion within leadership as well as in cross-cultural global teams in the professional, academic and community spheres. She has worked across a range of communities, including economically and socially disenfranchised communities in the US, Native American Indian Country, as well as across Africa, the Middle East, Europe and Asia with a range of clients. She is also a professor of social entrepreneurship and innovation at City College’s Colin Powell School for Civic and Global Leadership, holds a bachelor’s degree with Honors from Swarthmore College and a Master’s in Public Policy (MPP) from Harvard Kennedy School.
Dina Zavrski-Makaric
Dina is highly experienced global leadership coach and facilitator of dynamic and collaborative workshops. Her specialty is in helping organisations build an inclusive, equitable and safe workplace, where everyone shares vision and collaborates towards creating unity in diversity.
Illary Quinteros
Illary has over 18 years of experience working with leaders and teams in the development of effective leadership, team alignment, change and diversity management, and building collaborative cultures. She is an expert leadership facilitator and coach. She has worked UNICEF country offices in team building, conflict resolution and fostering a culture of collaboration and wellbeing. Illary worked around the globe in management training, particularly in Latin America. Illary has worked with a wide array of organizations; designing, managing and facilitating programs to optimize the performance of leaders, teams and organizations. She is one of only a handful (less than 3%) of professional coaches worldwide who has earned the Master Certified Coach (MCC) credential issued by the International Coach Federation (ICF). Familiar with many cultures, Illary has lived in Peru, Mexico, Honduras, Puerto Rico, Chile, Argentina, USA and France. She is also an intercultural mentor and trainer in programs aimed to develop teams and communication competencies for leaders.
Nzingha Ashaki Hall
Nzingha Ashaki Hall is a D&I consultant with 10+ years of experience in facilitating conversations related to racial justice, gender justice, and health equity. She is originally from St. Louis, MO, and currently lives in Atlanta, GA. She received her Master of Public Health degree from Morehouse School of Medicine. Nzingha is a 2020 United Nations Fellow for People of African Descent. She is a noted journalist and reproductive health, rights, justice advocate, and speaker. She has had bylines in the Guardian UK and Scalawag Magazine. Nzingha is a Lusophone with a passion for Afro-Diasporic Engagement and Connection.
Duvert Kimok
Duvert Kimok is a highly experienced group facilitator. He specialises in helping organizations build a more inclusive workplace free of stigma, discrimination, incivility, sexual exploitation and abuse and in delivering interactive workshops for UN and public/private sectors. He facilitated the 'UN for All' diversity and inclusion workshops for UN Cares.
Jean-Philippe Marsan
Jean-Philippe is a certified professional trainer and coach, an expert in career management and development as well as inclusion and equity at work. For over 20 years, he has been supporting individuals and organizations to create an inclusive and equitable work environment where everyone can develop their full potential and share their know-how. His expertise extends across several areas such as ethics and social responsibility, well-being at work, as well as optimizing teamwork by strengthening cohesion and conflict management.
Claudia Issa
Claudia Issa is an award-winning facilitator and keynote speaker helping organizations champion inclusion of diversity, intercultural understanding, gender equity, intergenerational collaboration, management of unconscious bias, and team cohesion, among others. With over 20 years of experience, Claudia has worked across various organizations and industries, including European Union agencies, NGO’s, pharmaceutical, technology, entertainment, engineering, and research. Additionally, she teaches Intercultural Community at the Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, working with students from more than 20 different nationalities. Claudia draws on her background as a Clinical Psychologist, Community Psychologist, and Interculturalist, with degrees from 5 different universities. With a very multicultural background, she has lived in 4 countries and speaks several languages. Her facilitation style balances scientific rigor with experiential learning and practical applicability, ensuring a meaningful and engaging experience for diverse audiences. She has been recognized as an International Leader by the USA’s Department of State.
Mercedes Tato
Mercedes Tato is a certified professional Co-Active Coach – CPCC, with 200+ hours of coaching experience, and is currently based in the Netherlands. Mercedes comes from a multicultural background as she has lived and worked in many countries such as Spain, Venezuela, the USA, and Mexico City where she founded a charity and volunteered in several organisations. Living in the Netherlands since 2014 now, she has trained to become a Co-Active Coach and founded her own company in 2021. Mercedes is a firm believer in the power of choice, and helps people who feel stuck or are struggling with a sense of discomfort to take charge of their life. She holds ACC – Associate Certified Coach – issued by the ICF (International Coaching Federation) and CPCC – Certified Professional Coactive Coach.
Crispin Kapema
Crispin is a trainer and facilitator, specialized expert on the different dimensions of gender, equity and social inclusion, including activities to prevent and respond to sexual exploitation, harassment and abuse. Crispin holds a Master's degree in Health, he has over 18 years of experience, including in humanitarian emergencies. Trainer of trainers sought for various themes online and in person. He has organized large and small workshops for international organizations, among them is Save The Children, Family Health International (FHI), International Rescue Committee (IRC), USAID, and The Global Fund.
Cheikh Traore
Dr. Cheikh Traore is a highly experienced group UN facilitator and strategic planner with 20 years of experience across 30 countries. His specialties are training facilitation for strategic planning, identifying and addressing barriers to service access and design of inclusive workplace policies. He works mostly with municipalities, governments, development NGOs, bilateral donor agencies and community organizations. He brings with him nearly two decades of senior leadership experience addressing harassment, discrimination and creating accountability within organizations to address exclusion and promote inclusive values (notably during programme initiation and disaster recovery).
Rahim Saatov
Rahim is a highly experienced group facilitator whose specialty is in helping organizations build a more inclusive, equitable and safe workplace by delivering engaging and actionable workshops for UN and private sector and by coaching and training managers address issues of diversity and inclusion. He has been helping organizations and managers identify innovative solutions to challenges in diversity and inclusion, sexual harassment and abuse by facilitating group processes that expose shared vision, tap internal resources, and map out a strategic and dynamic plan to achieve and maintain alignment between day-to-day operations and the core mission. He facilitated the 'UN for All' diversity and inclusion workshops for UN Cares in over 20 UN Duty Stations.
Desirée S. Nero
Desirée is a master trainer, who has spent more than 25 years as a leader in both government and higher education. She honed her skills in all aspects of training from instructional design to delivery and facilitation. Desirée creates innovative opportunities to engage a diverse range of seasoned and aspiring leaders from the C-Suite to the frontline, across various industries. She is a dynamic presenter who draws her audience in with her great sense of humor and engaging real-life experiences to connect, motivate and inspire. She holds certifications in public management from Florida State University, and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion from Cornell University and the University of South Florida.
Khaoula Ksiksi
Khaoula is a Gender Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (GEDI) consultant. She has coached multicultural global teams representing over 49 countries on transformative organizational culture, power and oppression, with a focus on intersectionality, feminist leadership, anti-racism, disability and SOGIESC (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Gender Expression, and Sex Characteristics) inclusion. She is a Tunisian advocate for environmental justice, deeply engaged in feminist, anti-racist, and intersectional activism. Khaoula brings more than 10 years of experience in managing development programs focused on climate justice and ecofeminism, gender mainstreaming, advocacy and community mobilization, sexual and reproductive health, and local development. Khaoula co-founded Falgatna ("We’re Fed Up"), a queer-feminist movement that defends the rights of women and persons with diverse SOGIESC, and actively lobbies against sexual and gender-based violence in Tunisia. She also co-founded the collective "Voices of Black Tunisian Women," the first initiative of its kind in the MENA region, offering a safe space for self-expression and addressing issues affecting Black women in Tunisia. This collective adopts a holistic approach, offering healing circles and solidarity chains focused on well-being and mental health topics
In loving memory of
Clark Soriano
An expert facilitator, strategic planner and UN leadership coach, Clark worked for 30 years across the globe, including various crisis countries. He served the UN as staff and consultant/advisor. Clark brought senior leadership experience in his workshops and coaching with managers and development of accountability systems to improve inclusiveness and prevent abuse. He was an inspiration and supported TMN’s launch as a trusted advisor.
TMN continues to honor his positive and resilient spirit, his dedication to improving workplace environments, and his collaborative nature in our work.
