Our team
We are a team united by purpose. Our experience in humanitarian and development aid, and our diversity and multi-sector expertise make us innovative, efficient and solutions-oriented change makers.
Our Founder
Gaëlle Mogli
Founder & CEO of ConnectAID
United Nations Spokesperson for the World Food Programme (WFP), the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Gaëlle has also worked for UNICEF and various NGOs across five continents, including during emergency situations.
Gaëlle Mogli Sévenier has over 18 years of experience as a journalist and Communication Expert in the humanitarian and development aid sector. She is today among the top Sustainable Development Goals influencers around the world. Since 2018, she is devoting her life to ConnectAID to meet the international cooperation's needs that she has identified in the field. Connect on LinkedIn: 
Our Board of Directors
The Board of Directors of our NGO is comprised of the following Members:
Pierre Bernier
Chair of the Board - Managing Director at Unigestion SA (Geneva, Switzerland)
"ConnectAID has an innovative approach in a growing market. A project with great potential led by professionals with real convictions as well as a world vision."
Involved from the conceptualisation of ConnectAID, Pierre Bernier brings a holistic understanding and established skill set in areas of management and human resources to the nonprofit organization. He also provides pro-bono expertise and strategic advice for the development of the International Solidarity Network.
Adam Rogers
Vice President of the Board - UN Adviser and Author of numerous book on the environment and sustainable development (United States)
"ConnectAID is needed now more than ever to ensure limited support gets to where the need is greatest. Solving the world’s challenges has never been about supply shortages – whether that supply is food, resources or medicine. It is always about coordination and matching supply with demand in a timely manner."
Adam Rogers brings ConnectAID more than 25 years of experience as a strategic advisor at the United Nations, and 10 years as a journalist and entrepreneur. His books include The Earth Summit: a Planetary Reckoning; The Intrepid Traveler; The No Mammal Manifesto; and Taking Action Online for the environment, social justice and sustainable development. When asked what motivates him most, his answer is simple: a world based and informed by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Adam is a strong advocate and team member of ConnectAID.
Stephanie Von Kanel
Secretary - Policy Officer at the Department of Social Services (DSS) (Geneva, Switzerland/Australia)
"ConnectAID is just necessary on our world."
Involved from the conceptualisation of ConnectAID, Stephanie has been a pillar in the creation of ConnectAID, the International Solidarity Netowork.
Founding Team Members
Rachel Harri Weiser
Deputy Director - Chief Strategic Officer (USA)
"ConnectAID is a network of givers."
Rachel Harri Weiser has extensive experience in delivering results by directing philanthropic, corporate, environmental, and political campaigns, with a track record of building complex external and internal relationships as a practitioner in the United States. After many years in the political sector including as a Campaigns Adviser for several Presidents, Vice Presidents, Governors, Senators, etc., she joined ConnectAID's team as a volunteer in 2020 while studying at Harvard University and is now a plillar in the organization.
Tim Black
Director of the Academy Program (United Kingdom)
‘’ConnectAID offers people the opportunity to be the change they wish to see.’’
As a former English teacher, Tim Black is an experienced global educator, passionate about people and the planet. Co-Creator @bitesizeSDGs, is also a TeachSDGs ambassador and National Geographic Certified Educator. Tim joined our team in May 2021 and is now managing the community and Academy program.
Federico Galati
Digital Technology Adviser - Digital Expert at the United Nations (Switzerland / Italy)
"ConnectAID is necessary. Together, we can achieve and make our World better."
As former Digital manager at WMO with our Founder Gaëlle Mogli, Federico has throughout his career sought creative solutions in the field of Information Management, Electronic Communications & Technology services with 20 years in the management and coordination of technologies mainly as Human, Social, Academic and Scientific values helping communities..
Emmanuel Dannenmuller
Co-Founder of ConnectAID - Co-Manager & Graphic Designer at E-Perlink (Annecy, France)
“As associate and Member of the Board of Director, I deeply believe in ConnectAID's potential.”
ConnectAID is the fifth enterprise created by Emmanuel Dannenmuller, who is also the co-founder of E-Perlink and of the smartphones brand Fantôme Ltd. Since 2018, Emmanuel has handled the design of the platform. ConnectAID wouldn't be what it is today without his artistic talent..
Matthieu Billon Lanfrey
Web developper (Annecy, France)
“A great vision that we don't see often enough in our world.”
As web developper for E-perlink, Matthieu has been developping ConnectAID's platform since 2018. He is one of Gaëlle Mogli's associates, along with Emmanuel Dannenmuller.
Mark Nabong
Chief Legal Counsel and Chief Operating Officer
USA (Spain) - Harvard
Jeff Bortniker
Global Financial Advisor
USA (NYC) - Harvard
Vanessa Milred
Global Chief of Philanthropy
Brazil - Harvard
Peter McLaughin
Chief Brand & Communications Officer
Ireland (NYC) - Harvard
ConnectAID’s team is composed of carefully selected professionals participating as active members of our Swiss NGO,
in addition to our team of Community Advocates from all around the world.
Our Advisory Board
Jean Ayoub
Secretary-General of the International Social Service - ISS Network (Geneva, Switzerland)
“ConnectAID is the purpose-driven communication tool NGOs need to feature their social and humanitarian impact on local communities.”
Since 2018, Jean Ayoub, who worked as the Director of Disaster Response & Operations Coordination for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent, provides ConnectAID with a deep understanding of the world's humanitarian and social affairs. He has contributed a global vision, strategic recommendations, as well as management and partnerships guidelines.
Arsalan Abtahi
Doctor, Entrepreneur, Technologist (Sillicon Valley, USA)
"Gaelle Mogli is one the most inspirational leaders of our time, I see her name written in the history books of the next generation as someone who stood for human rights, justice and sustainability. Great to stand by her and ConnectAID and make it happen ONCE and for all."
Arsalan Abtahi is a medical doctor, entrepreneur and technologist with a special focus and interest at the intersection of Neuro-cognitive Science, Psychiatry Psychology, Mental Modeling, Behavioral Economy, Game Theory, Human computer interface design and Artificial Intelligence. Committed to redirecting human value systems from EGOCENTRIC values to ECOCENTRIC values, he is co-launching several initiatives ranging from non-profit organizations committed to operationalize the SDGs to a web4.0 Technology startup focused on AI. Arsalan is fully committed to ConnectAID as THE platform for the SDG tribe.
Giovanna Jagger
Business Development Director World Wide Generation, Co-Founder of Wokenup (London UK)
“We have seen how all organisations are struggling to survive as a result of the pandemic. I am certain that the work ConnectAID is doing will have a huge positive impact not only in the survival of the nonprofits organisations but in helping them thrive”
Nominated as one of the top 10 most influential women in Tech 2020, Giovanna has been involved in sustainability, impact and purpose work for over two decade and has been a champion of positive social and environmental causes. Since February 2021, she brings to ConnectAID her experience as co-founder of Wokenup, and her focus in business development with purpose, aligning the right solution with each organisation ensuring efficiency, effectiveness and low risk.
Ruby Yeh
New Media & Internet Entrepreneur (USA)
“ConnectAID is a unique hub in sustainable development impact.”
Ruby Yeh's passion is to find ways for technology to bring more ease, fun & delight for everyday. She helps visionary messengers get their story out to millions. She founded a Silicon Valley software start-up called FolksNetwork that developed community applications for Interactive TV. Today, we are very lucky to have Ruby help us develop our online community and SDG social network.
Our Ambassadors
Debra Ruh
CEO of Ruh Global IMPACT, Co-Founder and Chair of Billion-Strong
"The world has come together to agree on the UN 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs) to solve our largest global problems. Connect Aid International has brought together NGOs around the world that are on the frontlines supporting the implementation of the UN SDGs. Together we are stronger and can make a huge difference for our living planet, people, and the other inhabitants. I am proud to become an ambassador for this important initiative to save our world."
Jennifer Williams
Co-founder @TakeActionEdu
"We need to move to the next level of solidarity. ConnectAID offers a human-centered approach with dedication to building an inclusive community and collective action. We are the people, this is the moment--let's join together for our planet and its citizens."
Melissa Sassi
CTO, leader in emergent technology
"We have big, wicked challenges to solve as we work toward achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. I’m personally excited about the power of bringing the world together through the ConnectAID umbrella. Let’s go and go together to make the world a better place!"
Felix Dodds
Author, activist, academic, futurist – co-author of Negotiating the SDGs
"Today we live in an inter connected world where change is happening at an ever increasing rate. To help balance that ConnectAID has embraced the Sustainable Development Goals as the framework which we can all support to enable us to secure only one earth for generations to come. By connecting us all together we can support each other and projects that make a real difference by utilizing the opportunities that new technology gives us."
Amaya Gillespie
UN Adviser & Former Director of the UN Study on violence against children
"I still believe that the world is a generous place and it is possible to live life 'on purpose"; but too often we get wrapped up in our own individual effort and forget that we can do so much more when we are "connected". That is what ConnectAID is all about.
As the proverb goes: " If you want to go quickly go alone, if you want to go far, go together..."
Yasmine Sherif
Director of Education Cannot Wait, the UN global fund for education in emergencies, hosted by UNICEF
"Fantistic initiative, even more than inovative, this is geneous.
Education Cannot Wait is in!"
Barbara Ryan
Executive Director World Geospatial Industry Council - Former Director of GEO & of Space program at WMO
“There are many great organizations addressing the climate, environmental, and development challenges. Yet, each of these efforts are often conducted in isolation, and are rarely integrated. The Earth is an integrated system, and we therefore need integrated approaches to solving global problems. ConnectAID facilitates this integration that we so sorely need. It is a a force-multiplier for achieving SDGs."
AY Young
Battery Tour Founder, Singer, Songwriter, Dancer, nominated by Amina Mohamed as one of the 17 UN SDG Young Leaders (USA)
"Together with ConnectAID, the International Solidarity Network, we can be the plug: connecting people to international aid and using music as a vehicle to get the world plugged-in to sustainability"
Kash Sirinanda
Founder Elite Futurists
“Imagine creating a world that is driven by economic, social and environmental sustainability; a world in which we can be proud of ourselves. This is the vision of ConnectAID. Time to rethink our world vision.”
Antonio Vieira Santos
Co-Founder of DT Lab, Innovation broker.
"My passion is to recognize opportunities that link tech, ideas, and people through networking. I see ConnectAID as a major opportunity for mankind."
Patrick Paul Walsh
Senior Adviser at UN SDSN, Director Sustainable Development Studies at the University College Dublin
"None of us are doing any good unless we are using our capacities for the least developped countries. I am happy, delighted even to be an Ambassador for ConnectAID and to be that academic voice."
Thomas Gloria
Former Director of the Sustainability Programme at Harvard University, Managing Director at Industrial Ecology Consultants
"For those who discover who ConnectAID is and what it's about: there is this true sense that we all belong. ConnectAID's strength is making everyone feel like they fit and everyone feels empowered to do something for sustainable development."
Sally Eaves
Emergent Technology CTO Global Strategy Advisor - Blockchain AI IoT FinTech Keynote Speaker & Author
Helene Li
Co Founder GoImpact General Manager Fintech Association of Hong Kong
"There is a huge urgency to connect the dots in driving the Sustainable Development agenda. ConnectAID is a powerful platform for that. We need to move from intention to action rapidly - there’s no Planet B, and no business to be done on a half dead planet !"
Kent Page
Chief Advocacy and Communication, Education Cannot Wait, the UN global fund for education in emergencies, hosted by UNICEF
"Congratulations to ConnectAID, what you are building is terrific."
Shruti Kapoor
Founder & CEO of Sayfty,
Inclusion Advisory Board at L’Oréal
Our Community
