Jean Quinn, DW

Chair

Jean Quinn, DW is a member of the International Congregation of the Daughters of Wisdom. She is a Nurse by Profession, studied Family Therapy, Addiction Studies as well as Social Housing Studies with the Irish Council for Social Housing. She also Studied Theology and Philosophy with Milltown Institute in Dublin. As well as holding many Congregational and Professional leadership roles throughout her career she has been actively involved in International Social Justice through a range of facets for many years. Jean has spent a vast number of years working with the homeless in Dublin and is the Founder of Sophia Housing in Ireland. Her vision and leadership brought strength and growth to Sophia, which is now celebrating its 25th year as an organization committed to providing a holistic approach in supporting people, specifically women and children on their journey from Homelessness. Jean was a member of the UNANIMA International Board in 2016 and completed an internship that year also. Since joining the UNANIMA International Team as the Executive Director in 2017, Jean’s passion for Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation have continuously been utilized in her international advocacy. Through this role, she sits as the Chair of the NGO Committee for Social Development and was a former Co-Chair of the Working Group to End Homelessness.

Liliane Nkunzimana

Secretary

Liliane Nkunzimana is a Representative of the Baha’i International Community’s UN Office in New York. Her areas of work include youth, development, and peace and security. Liliane has a background researching and writing issues related to diversity and inclusion. Most recently, she was working as a community organizer engaging youth and their families in educational programs designed to build their capacity to contribute to the well-being of their societies. Liliane has five years of experience working in policymaking in diverse sectors. She has worked on government-funded development projects as well as public affairs in the private sector. Liliane holds a Master’s in Public and International Affairs and a Bachelor of Social Science specializing in African Studies and Political Science.

Aria Ribieras

Member-at-Large

Aria is the UN Representative of the International Movement ATD Fourth World, a global movement working in partnership with the poorest communities and families in over 30 countries and accompanying them in the realization of their rights. At the United Nations, Aria’s main mission is to create and maintain spaces where people with the direct experience of poverty participate in UN processes by sharing their experience and knowledge of poverty. She holds a Master’s in Political Sciences and International Relations from the SciencesPo Strasbourg (France). Before moving to New York in 2022, she worked with the International Movement ATD Fourth World in France, coordinating children’s national programs, and with the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs in different countries, including Bulgaria, Mexico, and Myanmar. She has also been working as an independent journalist.

Lara Hicks

Executive Assistant, Civil Society Forum Chair

Lara joined the UNANIMA International team as the Executive Assistant/Assistant UN Representative in 2021. She completed a Master of Public Administration degree in 2021 and earned a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations in 2020, both from Syracuse University. While completing her graduate coursework at Syracuse, Lara interned with UNANIMA International and contributed to climate-displacement research and advocacy efforts for events such as the UN Permanent Forum for Indigenous Issues. Before her time at UNANIMA International, Lara served as the Assistant Manager for Adult and Family Programs for a refugee resettlement nonprofit organization and interned at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. In addition to her experiences with civil society, global governance, and displacement, Lara has advocated for survivors of relationship violence and human trafficking in the communities she calls home.