Meet Our Team

Saroj Kumar Jha is Program Manager and head of the Secretariat. In this position, Mr. Jha is responsible for the overall coordination and strategic oversight of GFDRR operations. He also leads the World Bank global expert team (GET) on disaster risk management (DRM). He is an expert in disaster management with work experience in civil engineering, public service, and economic justice. Mr. Jha has dedicated himself to international and national disaster risk reduction and recovery programs in different regions of the world for more than two decades. A native of India, Mr. Jha is currently pursuing his Doctorate of Science in Risk, Crisis, and Disaster Management from George Washington University.

Doekle Wielinga is the team leader of sustainable recovery (Track III) and Deputy Manager of the Secretariat. As team leader, Mr. Wielinga manages the Standby Recovery Financing Facility (SRFF). As deputy manager, he assists in the day-to-day management and strategic oversight of GFDRR operations. A senior disaster risk management (DRM) specialist, he brings more than 15 years of experience with the World Bank, the UN and international NGOs in international recovery, reconstruction, and risk reduction programs—as well as agency representation in different regions of the world. Mr. Wielinga is a Dutch national and holds a Master’s Degree in Geography from the University of Amsterdam.  

Manuela Chiapparino, the focal point for Europe and team member of the Standby Recovery Financing Facility (SRFF), is based in Brussels. She is responsible for building and managing relationships with European Union institutions and donors. She also specializes in coordinating efforts with the UN and the European Commission (EC) for post-disaster needs assessments. Prior to her current position, Ms. Chiapparino worked for the World Bank’s EC-WB Programme, the Middle East and North Africa Region, and the External Affairs Vice-Presidency . An Italian national, she holds a Master’s Degree in Political Science from the University of Trieste and a Master’s Degree in Management from the Solvay Management School/VUB in Brussels.

Apurva Sanghi, Ph.D., is a senior economist leading the joint World Bank-UN assessment of the economics of disaster risk reduction. He has also led World Bank operational and policy work on infrastructure in the East Asia and Pacific region. Prior to joining the World Bank, Mr. Sanghi worked on development topics ranging from climate change to microfinance. He worked for a private sector consultancy, a non-profit think-tank, and has held teaching and research positions at the University of Chicago, Thammasat University (in Bangkok), and Yale University. His 1998 doctoral dissertation at the University of Chicago was on the economic impact of global warming in Brazil and India. He also holds degrees in physics and business. Mr. Sanghi is a native of India.

Francis Muraya is the team leader for the global and regional partnerships for disaster reduction and recovery (Track I). An expert in disaster recovery coordination, he leads GFDRR’s partnerships with the UN, international finance institutions (IFIs), international NGOs, regional organizations, and emerging economies. Prior to joining GFDRR in September 2006, Mr. Muraya worked on economic development, housing, and land management issues at the urban development department of the World Bank. Mr. Muraya holds a Master’s Degree in Economic Development from Eastern University and is also a Ph.D. candidate at University of Pennsylvania.

Fanta Doumbia-Hardy is team member of GFDRR Track I. Her work areas focus on the Global and Regional Partnerships in DRR. Previous experiences include business development projects for various private companies. Ms. Doumbia also served the Africa Society of the National Summit on Africa while specializing on researching key issues pertaining to U.S. foreign policy vis-à- vis Africa in addition to serving for the the United Nations Office for Project Services. A native of Mali, she holds a Masters’ degree in Business Economics from Université François Rabelais Tours, France.

Robert Reid focuses on collaboration with the UN and other international and regional organizations, as part of the Track I Partnerships agenda. Robert came from the European Commission, DG External Relations, where he worked as Policy Coordinator on Climate Change. He has also worked in the EC’s DG Environment, as a public affairs lobbyist in Brussels, and in the UN Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI), based in Geneva. British by birth but European at heart, Robert has a Masters degree in European Politics and Trans-Atlantic Relations from the University of Bath, UK & the University of Washington, USA.

Catherine Burtonboy recently joined GFDRR as a Program Officer. She brings with her an extensive experience of operations and Trust Fund management including the Afghanistan and Iraq reconstruction Trust Funds. She will coordinate the results monitoring efforts as well as the reporting to the Donors and the SDN Front Office. Ms. Burtonboy is a Belgian National and has an MBA in Finance from the George Washington University in Washington, DC.

Hemang Karelia is a Knowledge Management analyst. He specializes in using information and communications technologies (ICT) and geographic information systems (GIS) for disaster risk management (DRM) and provides cross-cutting technical and strategic support to GFDRR’s results-based management system (RBMS) and knowledge management systems. Prior to joining GFDRR, Mr. Karelia worked for 9 years on post-disaster and post-conflict situations with various UN agencies, governments, and technology firms in the field of information management and DRM. He is an Indian national with a degree in Instrumentation Engineering and a Master’s Degree in Information Systems.

Michel Matera is Senior Disaster Risk Management Specialist funded by the French Government and team leader of Track II. Mr. Matera brings more than 12 years of hands-on experience in the field of disaster risk management. Previously, he worked with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) as well as the World Bank in Mozambique, Haiti and Madagascar, providing technical and advisory support for the development and strengthening of DRM national and local capacities. A native of France, Mr. Matera holds Master’s Degree in International Agro-development from the Ecole d’Ingénieur d’Agro-développement International (ISTOM).

Eduard Tschan is oversees operations in mainstreaming disaster risk reduction (DRR) in development. He is an economist with 20 years of experience at the UN, Red Cross, and the World Bank. His work focuses on mainstreaming DRR and climate change adaptation (CCA) in GFDRR's country program support—ensuring effective leveraging of the risk reduction and climate change portfolio in country development plans and encouraging innovation and replication of best practices while engaging with critical partners. Mr. Tschan is a native of Switzerland and holds a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of St. Gallen.

Shyam KC, Ph.D., a disaster risk management (DRM) specialist, leads GFDRR’s work measuring results through a results-based management system (RBMS). Mr. KC is also the focal point for the upstream review of all country strategic documents. A civil engineer and development sociologist with more than 15 years of experience, Mr. KC’s specialties are: rural development, water management, social development, and DRM. Prior to joining GFDRR in 2007, he worked for the University of Maryland, the Swiss Association for International Cooperation (Helvetas), and the Government of Nepal Civil Service. Mr. KC is a Nepalese national and holds a Ph.D. in Development Sociology from the University of Maryland.

Isabelle Forge is senior disaster risk management (DRM) specialist, responsible for cooperation with the European Union on disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation (CCA). Based in Brussels, she is in charge of strengthening collaborations and promoting partnerships with the European Commission, particularly on mainstreaming DRR in development. Ms. Forge brings more than 15 years of experience in sustainable development for developing countries and other sectors. Previously, she served as an adviser at the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A native of France, Ms. Forge holds a Master’s Degree in Economy and Demography from the Institutes of Political Studies (Sciences-Po Paris) and a Master’s Degree in Geography and Cartography from the University of Paris Panthéon-Sorbonne.

Julia Lendorfer is a consultant, focusing on developing a new results management framework, setting comprehensive country targets and monitoring project progress. She works closely with Regional Coordinators and Task Team Leaders within the Bank to better coordinate project monitoring and evaluation. Prior to joining GFDRR she published a chapter of a book on international cooperation, worked for an NGO in India and gained experience at the Austrian Permanent Mission to the UN. A native of Austria, she holds a Masters Degree in International Relations & International Economics from Johns Hopkins University (SAIS) and a Masters Degree in International Development from the University of Vienna.

Gaetano Vivo, disaster risk management (DRM) analyst, is responsible for monitoring disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation (CCA) projects. In his position, Mr. Vivo has been focusing on a new approach which utilizes video for participatory monitoring and assessment of projects’ impact on communities. Prior to joining the GFDRR, he worked for the Italian Government’s Civil Protection Department on a post-conflict vocational training project in a rural area of south Sudan. He has also been involved in several election monitoring missions. A native of Italy, he holds a Master in Communication and Political Science from the University of Bologna. He is currently deployed in Haiti for Earthquake recovery program.

Vica Rosario Bogaerts is a consultant focusing on disaster operations portfolio management.  Prior to joining GFDRR, she worked in US Congress with the Foreign Affairs Committee, the International Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia and the Netherlands Embassy in Khartoum. She also volunteered in Kosovo and conducted extensive field research in Cambodia. She holds a Masters Degree in International Relations & International Economics from Johns Hopkins University (SAIS) and a Masters Degree in History from the University of Amsterdam.
 

Ralph Connery is the focal point for the South-South Cooperation Program. He is also a member of the GFDRR upstream review team of country strategic documents. A qualified Project Management Professional (PMP) with more than 8 years experience managing projects in both the public and private sectors. Experienced in Community Based Disaster Management, he has worked for a leading international NGO in India assessing post disaster  Public Private Partnerships.  A native of Ireland, Mr.Connery holds a degree in Sociology and Classical studies, and  is currently pursuing a MA in Disaster Management.

Jan Dams is a consultant, focusing on mainstreaming disaster risk reduction, and on developing closer collaboration between international development institutions in the field of disaster risk management. Prior to joining GFDRR he worked as Africa economic and political risk analyst and gained field work experience in Central Africa, including an internship at the Belgian Embassy in Kinshasa, DRC. A native of Belgium, he holds a Masters Degree in International Relations & International Economics from Johns Hopkins University (SAIS) and a Masters Degree in Law from the University of Antwerp.

Sustainable Recovery (Track III)

Prashant Singh is a disaster recovery financing officer—a Sida-funded position within GFDRR. Mr. Singh brings to the position more than 20 years of experience in the public sector covering the areas of development administration, disaster risk and recovery management, regulatory management, macroeconomic management, and international economic relations . He has worked in promoting sustainable development in disaster proofing environmentally fragile regions in India. He also held various senior positions at the provincial government of West Bengal and the federal government of India in the Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance. A native of India, he received his M.S. degree from St. Stephen’s College in Delhi.

Katalin Demeter is a senior disaster risk management specialist with primary responsibility of strengthening disaster risk reduction capacity within the Bank and in client countries. She is in charge for developing innovative knowledge products in Post Disaster Needs Assessment, Rapid Response and in disaster mitigation. She brings more than 20 years of experience working with developing countries focusing on sustainable development and poverty reductions. Previously, Katalin worked in the World Bank Institute as senior urban specialist focusing on designing comprehensive learning programs in DRM.  Prior of joining WBI she represented her native country, Hungary,  in the Board of Directors of the WB. Katalin is an economist, holds an MA and Doctorate from Budapest University of Economics and PhD from University of Connecticut. 

Rami Quttaineh recently joined GFDRR's sustainable recovery (Track III) as Senior Disaster Risk Management Specialist part of the Kuwait Recruitment Program. Mr. Quttaineh has more than eleven years corporate and project management experience as a Regional Disaster Mitigation Manager for Michael Baker Corporation which is a Federal Contractor to the United States Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA); as Project Manager for Pan Arab Consulting Engineers (PACE) in Kuwait; and as Project Engineer for Denmon Engineering Company in U.S.A. Mr. Quttaineh have managed large, multi-disciplinary engineering projects and disaster risk management programs for a variety of Federal, State and local agencies including FEMA, U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and California Department of Transportation. Mr. Quttaineh is a Kuwaiti National and holds a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science Degrees in Civil Engineering from Louisiana Tech University in the United States.

Ayaz Parvez is a post disaster needs assessment (PDNA) specialist with experience in disaster risk management (DRM)—particularly in South Asia, East Asia and the Pacific regions. Mr. Parvez has operational experience in post-disaster responses and longer term recovery projects. He has actively contributed to a number of regional, national, and international DRM initiatives and projects. A native of Pakistan, Mr. Parvez holds a degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Engineering and Technology, in Lahore, Pakistan.

Sergio Dell'anna, is the Focal Point for Disaster Resilient Schools, Hospital and Housing. A Junior Professional Officer funded by the Italian Government, he focuses on disaster recovery planning on middle and long term in post-disaster scenario. Previously, he worked in the private sector in Europe as a Charter Structural Engineer, served as Project Manager of schools and hospital reconstruction programs in many international NGOs in Africa in post-conflict area and in the Civil Protection Department of the Italian Presidency of the Council of Ministers after the Tsunami in Sri Lanka. Mr. Dell’Anna holds a Master’s degree in Human Rights in International Relations from the University of Salento, Italy; and Master’s degree in Structural Civil Engineer from the Polytechnic of Milan, Italy; including one year in the University of Cardiff, UK, and the Master’s thesis in Istituto Superior Tecnico de Lisboa, Portugal.

Sarah Surban is the focal point for the Disaster Risk Management Global Expert Team with responsibility to strengthen the development of the Bank's DRM knowledge community with a particular focus on providing for inter-regional cross-support for the delivery of demand-driven knowledge services. She works with the GFDRR team to operationalize the Rapid Response Services. Prior to joining GFDRR, Ms. Surban worked on headquarter World Bank projects with various units, while in the country office of Mozambique, she contributed to the Country Economic Memorandum and ran the capacity building for WBI’s Development Marketplace’ focused on ICT and SME in-country development. Ms. Surban brings a wide range of international  living and working experience from Brazil, France, Japan, Mozambique and various cities in the US. Native to the island of Guam, USA, Ms. Surban holds an MBA from Thunderbird School of Global Management, Glendale, Az in international business and a BA from the American University, Washington, DC in international studies with a concentration on Japan.

DRR and Climate Adaptation

Milen Dyoulgerov is responsible for strengthening the synergy between Climate Change Adaptation and the Disaster Risk Management in Bank operations. Milen joined GFDRR from the World Bank's Climate Change Team, where he was engaged in the development and implementation of the World Bank Group's (WBG) Strategic Framework for Development and Climate Change. He also led the designing of a Results Framework for the WBG climate action, worked on adaptation programming and strategy issues, and provided expert advise and operational support with focus on coastal and nature-based adaptation. A graduate of the Bulgarina Naval Academy, Milen also holds a MA in philosophy and history of science and a PhD in marine policy with focus on integrate coastal zone management.

Administration, IT, Logistics and Resource Management

Judy Lai is the Resource Management Analyst for GFDRR in charge of the financial management of multi-donor trust funds program. Ms. Lai supports all aspects of resource management including budget planning, allocation and financial reporting on donor contributions. In addition, she also handles legal agreements with World Bank and GFDRR donors. Prior working at GFDRR, Ms. Lai has years of budgetary experiences working with East Asia and Pacific Region. Her past experiences also include working at the former Human Resources Sector Department for Indonesia, Poverty and Gender Program and Health Sector Department in East Asia and Pacific.   Ms. Lai holds the Bachelor Degree in Office Management at Brigham Young University.

Max Jiraworks as a Program Assistant. He brings in extensive experience as a SAP Transaction processor on World Bank's financial systems, event management and administrative matters. Prior to joining GFDRR, He worked with the World Bank's Public Sector and Governance (PRMPS) unit under Poverty Reduction and Economic Management Network for 11 years. Max is a Thailand-born US National and has an MBA in Business Administration from Strayer University, USA.

Alisa Lertvalaikul works as a program assistant for GFDRR secretariat operations as well as assists in the logistics and organization of disaster related events. Ms.Lertvalaikul brings 5 years experience in operations knowledge and coordination skills from her work with the multinational pharmaceutical company as an intervention specialist. Ms.Lertvalaikul holds a bachelor’s degree in Biological Science concentrated in Biomedical Science from Mahidol University, Thailand and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Strayer University.

Jaime Yepez is an Information Officer and web Application Developer in the Sustainable Development Information Solutions Team. He leads the development and implementation of various information technology systems for GFDRR. Prior to joining the World Bank, he worked for the Pan American Health Organization in Washington DC as a consultant with expertise in procurement information systems. A native of Ecuador, Mr. Yepez holds a degree in Information Systems from Columbia Union College.