OUR TEAM
Our team is made up of members of diverse origins and backgrounds. We believe that through our empathy and willingness to listen we can address the root causes of conflict and create a safe, inclusive environment that promotes unity, communication, cooperation and understanding.
Advisory & Honorary Members

Advisory or Honorary Members support the organization’s objectives by providing strategic advice, insights and network connections.
Sanela Music
Founder
Sanela Music

Sanela is a former Bosnian refugee living in Switzerland, she carried the burden of war and trauma for many years. After embarking on a reconstruction journey of healing, she was inspired to share her experience, contribute to the resilience process, peacebuilding, and positive change in the country. This dream created SANCHILD, an organization that promotes harmonious growth and helps a new generation move past the heritage of transgenerational conflicts. She is an experienced HR Consultant and coach, specializing in HR Transformation, change management, and process automation for Multinational companies.
She is actively mentoring young students at Ecolint (La Châtaigneraie CH), in various projects such as Weinnovate, Entrepreneurship Lab’s or GEL Summit at UN, Geneva.
SANCHILD Switzerland
Walter B. Gyger
Advisory Board Member
Walter B. Gyger

Walter B. Gyger studied public management at the University of St. Gallen, where he also obtained his doctorate. He holds an honorary doctorate in philosophy from the Pedagogical Academy of the University of Russia. In 1974, Walter B. Gyger joined the Swiss diplomatic service. In 1991, the Swiss government appointed him ambassador to Senegal, Mali, Cape Verde, Guinea Bissau, and The Gambia. From 1995 to 1999, he was Head of the Swiss Mission to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva. Subsequently, he represented Switzerland in India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, and Turkey as well as Azerbaijan. His last diplomatic assignment was in Moscow as Switzerland’s ambassador to the Russian Federation.
Walter B. Gyger joined Rotary in 1994. His first club was RC Dakar Alizés, then he was a founding member of RC Geneva Palais Wilson, later he became a member of RC Delhi Midtown and RC Ankara. Back in Geneva, he founded the RC Geneva International. From 2015 to 2021, he was the main representative of Rotary International to the UN Office and other international organizations in Geneva. In this capacity, he organized the first Rotary Day at the United Nations in Geneva and the first Rotary Peace Projects Incubator.
Walter B. Gyger has been an honorary member of SANCHILD since 2020 and took over the leadership of the Advisory Board in 2022.
Susan Laverick
Advisory Board Member
Susan Laverick

Susan is the founder and director of Susan Laverick Consulting. As a consultant, she works with international corporations, academic institutions, NGOs, teams, and individuals to address critical communication challenges with the aim of developing high-impact communicators. Susan’s first-class communication background has included Citigroup and the BBC in London and teaching across international organisations in Geneva. As a seasoned speech-writer and presenter at conferences in Europe, US and the Middle East, her experience represents an invaluable resource to clients seeking support in the drafting of speeches and the delivery of impactful presentations or pitches. She regularly works with Rotary International, preparing their annual laureates for maiden speeches at the UN in Geneva and New York. She also teaches critical communication skills at both the Graduate Institute of Geneva and the University of Geneva.
Susan has a particular interest in supporting women who are moving into leadership positions, working to enhance their authority and communication skills. She is often invited as a guest speaker at international conferences focused on the professional empowerment of women and donates her coaching expertise to non-profit organisations that champion peace.
Susan has a Doctorate in English Literature (completed on an Australian government Research Scholarship for scholars of exceptional promise); a Master´s in History from the University of London and is an ICF-qualified executive coach.
“As a communication expert, I feel passionate about the powerful role that effective communication can play in the building cohesive teams, authentic leaders, and inspiring visions. Over the years, I have supported a number of NGOs in the global peace sector, helping them to articulate particular messages or leadership visions that enhance their impact in their sectors. I am therefore very honored to be supporting the Harmony Project’s groundbreaking work in facilitating understanding/dialogue amongst disparate communities in B&H.”
Justin Friedman
Advisory Board Member
Justin Friedman

For over 20 years Justin Friedman has been working in the environmental and wellbeing sectors across the UK, Europe, Asia, the USA, and South Africa. Friedman actually means Man of Peace and Justin seeks to support peacebuilding with ourselves, each other, and the planet. He focuses on driving large-scale behavior changes.
He has provided facilitation, strategic planning, Creative Direction, Communication, and Campaign strategies for social entrepreneurs, non-profits, foundations, governments, businesses, ecolabels, and celebrities. He focuses on working with organizations to support their resilience by providing them with powerful knowledge around restorative and regenerative principles.
He founded FLOW (For Love Of Water) in SA which has linked Government, Corporate, Media, and Civil society through media, design, events, product, and POS Innovation in order to create lasting behavior change. He also helped to create Water Access and Awareness at the 2010 World Cup and co-hosted UN-Habitat and UN-Water. He recently developed a Water Offset tool that facilitates users being able to offset their water usage to projects that save water, create jobs, and provide water services to communities.
Justin was network leader at Biomimicry SA for 5 years where he was Project Lead on various Government Tenders and recently completed his work on the pioneering pilot project Genius of SPACE in Langrug Informal Settlement in the Western Cape. He oversaw the Project and Process Management for the life of the project.
Justin showcases his love for the arts by producing and directing musical tracks and performances which drive environmental behavior change at live events including The 2010 FIFA World Cup and TedX and for the UN. He also has licensed and distributed documentary films. Justin was a candidate for the Green Party of SA in 2019.
Justin is currently providing Advisory Services for Pioneering People & Projects. He has been supporting SANCHILD’s activities since 2015.
Diana Godoy
Advisory Board Member
Diana Godoy

Diana Godoy is an international relations specialist, business administrator, political scientist with a focus on democracy & system theories, and project manager.
She started her career founding and managing non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Latin America, specializing in international development and as a socio-political researcher. She continued her professional path in Germany as a global project, change & crisis manager in the automotive industry and as Chief Operations Officer & organization development manager for a machine, line production, and automation technology company during its restructuring and growth phase. She brings systemic order into companies today as a Chief Strategy Officer, making them ready to keep sustainably moving forward.
“I volunteer for several organizations, and as an active Rotarian, I lead peace and youth projects internationally. This is how I got in touch with SANCHILD NGO, an organization which encompasses her passions: peace, people and a systems approach.”
Diana strives to be a bearer of peace in a world of chaos. Because even in chaos there is kindness, inspiration, cooperation, creativity and especially the potential for positive change.
SANCHILD International
Sanela Music

Sanela is a former Bosnian refugee living in Switzerland, she carried the burden of war and trauma for many years. After embarking on a reconstruction journey of healing, she was inspired to share her experience, contribute to the resilience process, peacebuilding, and positive change in the country. This dream created SANCHILD, an organization that promotes harmonious growth and helps a new generation move past the heritage of transgenerational conflicts. She is an experienced HR Consultant and coach, specializing in HR Transformation, change management, and process automation for Multinational companies.
She is actively mentoring young students at Ecolint (La Châtaigneraie CH), in various projects such as Weinnovate, Entrepreneurship Lab’s or GEL Summit at UN, Geneva.
SANCHILD Switzerland
Walter B. Gyger

Walter B. Gyger studied public management at the University of St. Gallen, where he also obtained his doctorate. He holds an honorary doctorate in philosophy from the Pedagogical Academy of the University of Russia. In 1974, Walter B. Gyger joined the Swiss diplomatic service. In 1991, the Swiss government appointed him ambassador to Senegal, Mali, Cape Verde, Guinea Bissau, and The Gambia. From 1995 to 1999, he was Head of the Swiss Mission to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva. Subsequently, he represented Switzerland in India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, and Turkey as well as Azerbaijan. His last diplomatic assignment was in Moscow as Switzerland’s ambassador to the Russian Federation.
Walter B. Gyger joined Rotary in 1994. His first club was RC Dakar Alizés, then he was a founding member of RC Geneva Palais Wilson, later he became a member of RC Delhi Midtown and RC Ankara. Back in Geneva, he founded the RC Geneva International. From 2015 to 2021, he was the main representative of Rotary International to the UN Office and other international organizations in Geneva. In this capacity, he organized the first Rotary Day at the United Nations in Geneva and the first Rotary Peace Projects Incubator.
Walter B. Gyger has been an honorary member of SANCHILD since 2020 and took over the leadership of the Advisory Board in 2022.
Susan Laverick

Susan is the founder and director of Susan Laverick Consulting. As a consultant, she works with international corporations, academic institutions, NGOs, teams, and individuals to address critical communication challenges with the aim of developing high-impact communicators. Susan’s first-class communication background has included Citigroup and the BBC in London and teaching across international organisations in Geneva. As a seasoned speech-writer and presenter at conferences in Europe, US and the Middle East, her experience represents an invaluable resource to clients seeking support in the drafting of speeches and the delivery of impactful presentations or pitches. She regularly works with Rotary International, preparing their annual laureates for maiden speeches at the UN in Geneva and New York. She also teaches critical communication skills at both the Graduate Institute of Geneva and the University of Geneva.
Susan has a particular interest in supporting women who are moving into leadership positions, working to enhance their authority and communication skills. She is often invited as a guest speaker at international conferences focused on the professional empowerment of women and donates her coaching expertise to non-profit organisations that champion peace.
Susan has a Doctorate in English Literature (completed on an Australian government Research Scholarship for scholars of exceptional promise); a Master´s in History from the University of London and is an ICF-qualified executive coach.
“As a communication expert, I feel passionate about the powerful role that effective communication can play in the building cohesive teams, authentic leaders, and inspiring visions. Over the years, I have supported a number of NGOs in the global peace sector, helping them to articulate particular messages or leadership visions that enhance their impact in their sectors. I am therefore very honored to be supporting the Harmony Project’s groundbreaking work in facilitating understanding/dialogue amongst disparate communities in B&H.”
Justin Friedman

For over 20 years Justin Friedman has been working in the environmental and wellbeing sectors across the UK, Europe, Asia, the USA, and South Africa. Friedman actually means Man of Peace and Justin seeks to support peacebuilding with ourselves, each other, and the planet. He focuses on driving large-scale behavior changes.
He has provided facilitation, strategic planning, Creative Direction, Communication, and Campaign strategies for social entrepreneurs, non-profits, foundations, governments, businesses, ecolabels, and celebrities. He focuses on working with organizations to support their resilience by providing them with powerful knowledge around restorative and regenerative principles.
He founded FLOW (For Love Of Water) in SA which has linked Government, Corporate, Media, and Civil society through media, design, events, product, and POS Innovation in order to create lasting behavior change. He also helped to create Water Access and Awareness at the 2010 World Cup and co-hosted UN-Habitat and UN-Water. He recently developed a Water Offset tool that facilitates users being able to offset their water usage to projects that save water, create jobs, and provide water services to communities.
Justin was network leader at Biomimicry SA for 5 years where he was Project Lead on various Government Tenders and recently completed his work on the pioneering pilot project Genius of SPACE in Langrug Informal Settlement in the Western Cape. He oversaw the Project and Process Management for the life of the project.
Justin showcases his love for the arts by producing and directing musical tracks and performances which drive environmental behavior change at live events including The 2010 FIFA World Cup and TedX and for the UN. He also has licensed and distributed documentary films. Justin was a candidate for the Green Party of SA in 2019.
Justin is currently providing Advisory Services for Pioneering People & Projects. He has been supporting SANCHILD’s activities since 2015.
Diana Godoy

Diana Godoy is an international relations specialist, business administrator, political scientist with a focus on democracy & system theories, and project manager.
She started her career founding and managing non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Latin America, specializing in international development and as a socio-political researcher. She continued her professional path in Germany as a global project, change & crisis manager in the automotive industry and as Chief Operations Officer & organization development manager for a machine, line production, and automation technology company during its restructuring and growth phase. She brings systemic order into companies today as a Chief Strategy Officer, making them ready to keep sustainably moving forward.
“I volunteer for several organizations, and as an active Rotarian, I lead peace and youth projects internationally. This is how I got in touch with SANCHILD NGO, an organization which encompasses her passions: peace, people and a systems approach.”
Diana strives to be a bearer of peace in a world of chaos. Because even in chaos there is kindness, inspiration, cooperation, creativity and especially the potential for positive change.
SANCHILD International
The Executive Board

The executive board is a strategic decision making body, which works in coordination with operating teams.
Johan Clerc
President
Johan Clerc

Johan is the President of the Swiss branch, and a founder of “Robotek”, a company dealing with lawn robots. He is an active and open-minded person, interested in travel and associations.
“I am looking forward to meeting all those who will interact with Sanchild at all levels, so as to contribute to the development of the organisation.”
SANCHILD Switzerland
Erik Stenegren
President
Erik Stenegren

Erik Stenegren is an astute IT Consultant with extensive experience in systems analysis and project management. He holds a degree in Computer Engineering from the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) in Stockholm, BSc in Cognitive Neuroscience, and is currently carrying out his master studies in Neuroscience at the Donders Institute in the Netherlands.
“My goal is to support SANCHILD’s work in peacebuilding by combining my expertise in AI and neuroscience with my aim to improve people’s lives by contributing to education and technological developments.”
SANCHILD Sweden
Dzanina Dzindo
Vice-President
Dzanina Dzindo

Dzanina Dzindo works in the Swedish transportation administration, where she leads a strategic division for traffic management in the region of Stockholm. Dzanina holds a BSc in Business and Economics and an MSc in European studies related to a sustainable society and business development. Dzanina is one of the signatories of Sanchild Sweden and holds the official position as Vice-president and General Secretary of the Swedish board.
SANCHILD Sweden
Azra Karic
President
Azra Karic

Azra Karic holds MSc in Genetics and Bioengineering and is currently working as a molecular biologist. As a high school student, she started volunteering for SANCHILD.
“Working on projects of great value for society and environment became my strong passion, through which I shape my perspective of the world.”
SANCHILD B&H
Dzana Aladzuz
Vice President
Dzana Aladzuz

Dzana holds MSc degree from University of Sarajevo and has been working as a general practitioner M.D. She is a member of SANCHILD since her high school days.
“Volunteering in SANCHILD has helped me establish better communication and trust with patients who are still enduring consequences from the previous war. A good doctor’s comforting and reassuring words are sometimes more powerful than medicines.”
SANCHILD B&H
Johan Clerc

Johan is the President of the Swiss branch, and a founder of “Robotek”, a company dealing with lawn robots. He is an active and open-minded person, interested in travel and associations.
“I am looking forward to meeting all those who will interact with Sanchild at all levels, so as to contribute to the development of the organisation.”
SANCHILD Switzerland
Erik Stenegren

Erik Stenegren is an astute IT Consultant with extensive experience in systems analysis and project management. He holds a degree in Computer Engineering from the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) in Stockholm, BSc in Cognitive Neuroscience, and is currently carrying out his master studies in Neuroscience at the Donders Institute in the Netherlands.
“My goal is to support SANCHILD’s work in peacebuilding by combining my expertise in AI and neuroscience with my aim to improve people’s lives by contributing to education and technological developments.”
SANCHILD Sweden
Dzanina Dzindo

Dzanina Dzindo works in the Swedish transportation administration, where she leads a strategic division for traffic management in the region of Stockholm. Dzanina holds a BSc in Business and Economics and an MSc in European studies related to a sustainable society and business development. Dzanina is one of the signatories of Sanchild Sweden and holds the official position as Vice-president and General Secretary of the Swedish board.
SANCHILD Sweden
Azra Karic

Azra Karic holds MSc in Genetics and Bioengineering and is currently working as a molecular biologist. As a high school student, she started volunteering for SANCHILD.
“Working on projects of great value for society and environment became my strong passion, through which I shape my perspective of the world.”
SANCHILD B&H
Dzana Aladzuz

Dzana holds MSc degree from University of Sarajevo and has been working as a general practitioner M.D. She is a member of SANCHILD since her high school days.
“Volunteering in SANCHILD has helped me establish better communication and trust with patients who are still enduring consequences from the previous war. A good doctor’s comforting and reassuring words are sometimes more powerful than medicines.”
SANCHILD B&H
The management team

The Management Team supports projects design, implementation, communication and networking across Europe and beyond.
Amina Agovic
PR & Communications Manager
Amina Agovic

Amina Agovic holds Double Masters Degree as MSc in Molecular Medicine, from Uppsala University and the University of Groningen, and certification in Communication Strategy for non-profits. As she grew up in post-war society in B&H, from a young age, she has been learning different methodologies in effective communication and conflict resolution.
“Being a volunteer for SANCHILD has promoted my idealistic mindset, and my personal mission is to contribute to trauma healing and a more peaceful environment while working on unique and creative projects.”
SANCHILD Sweden
Ian Smith
Education Director
Ian Smith

Ian holds an executive MBA (Education) and the Queen’s Award for Enterprise, a lifetime honor in recognition of the promotion of social entrepreneurship in UK schools and universities. He is Vice-Principal and Head of Secondary at GEMS World Academy Kochi, in the state of Kerala, South India. As a teach SDGs ambassador with the UN, he recently co-created the Global Entrepreneurial Leaders (GEL) Youth Summit hosted at the UN Palais des Nations in Geneva, held in November 2018 and 2019, connecting over five hundred students from across the world with social entrepreneurs.
“As a teacher, I am inspired to connect youth with their passion and purpose, kindling an entrepreneurial mindset for lifelong learning. Currently, we are developing a project to promote an idealistic mindset for advocacy and agency around the UN SDGs.”
SANCHILD Switzerland
Sonia da Silva
Administrative Manager
Sonia da Silva

Further to the experience, she had as a commercial employee in the private sector, Sonia decided to resume her studies at the age of 26. After obtaining a BSc in Political Science (specializing in Environment and Development), she moved to a master’s degree focused on Globalization, before working for a year at UNIL as a student assistant. Subsequently, she traveled to Latin America, and upon her return to Switzerland, she worked on a project relating to integration for the city of Vevey whilst cooperating with various associations in Lausanne on action plans against racism. Since then, she started working for the city of Yverdon-les-Bains as Project Manager for integration.
“My values are inspired by interpersonal relationships, conciliation, a sense of ethics, the reinforcement of social links as well as the sharing of skills and knowledge. My ambition is to turn all those into reality through my involvement within SANCHILD.”
SANCHILD Switzerland
Mariazel Maqueda López
Project Manager
Mariazel Maqueda López

Mariazel is an expert in telecommunications by the UGR (Spain) and has a Ph.D. in micro and nanotechnologies by the EPFL (Switzerland). Back in 2014, he was a volunteer with the NGO Amani in Nairobi (Kenya) in what was one of the most important epiphanies of her life. In the past, she has been NGO project manager, and currently, she is an advocacy officer consultant in Geneva. She uses her experience to promote numerous civil society associations in the fields of education, youth and woman promotion, migration and peacebuilding.
“I look forward to sharing the technical and technological dividend that is often monopolized by the developed countries to share it with our neighbors from the South, North, East and West. I believe in SANCHILD, and I work to make this dream the reality where the Balkans’ population will find peace.”
SANCHILD Switzerland
Amela Brcaninovic
Project Manager
Amela Brcaninovic

Amela Brcaninovic holds a BA Degree in International relations and diplomacy and is a second-year MA student of Global Studies at Leipzig University and the University of Vienna. She is an activist, highly skilled in organizational management, research and communication. She started working for Sanchild as a Project Manager for the HARMONY Project.
“My goal is to be supportive of my local community development and to promote non-formal education.”
SANCHILD B&H
Amina Agovic

Amina Agovic holds Double Masters Degree as MSc in Molecular Medicine, from Uppsala University and the University of Groningen, and certification in Communication Strategy for non-profits. As she grew up in post-war society in B&H, from a young age, she has been learning different methodologies in effective communication and conflict resolution.
“Being a volunteer for SANCHILD has promoted my idealistic mindset, and my personal mission is to contribute to trauma healing and a more peaceful environment while working on unique and creative projects.”
SANCHILD Sweden
Ian Smith

Ian holds an executive MBA (Education) and the Queen’s Award for Enterprise, a lifetime honor in recognition of the promotion of social entrepreneurship in UK schools and universities. He is Vice-Principal and Head of Secondary at GEMS World Academy Kochi, in the state of Kerala, South India. As a teach SDGs ambassador with the UN, he recently co-created the Global Entrepreneurial Leaders (GEL) Youth Summit hosted at the UN Palais des Nations in Geneva, held in November 2018 and 2019, connecting over five hundred students from across the world with social entrepreneurs.
“As a teacher, I am inspired to connect youth with their passion and purpose, kindling an entrepreneurial mindset for lifelong learning. Currently, we are developing a project to promote an idealistic mindset for advocacy and agency around the UN SDGs.”
SANCHILD Switzerland
Sonia da Silva

Further to the experience, she had as a commercial employee in the private sector, Sonia decided to resume her studies at the age of 26. After obtaining a BSc in Political Science (specializing in Environment and Development), she moved to a master’s degree focused on Globalization, before working for a year at UNIL as a student assistant. Subsequently, she traveled to Latin America, and upon her return to Switzerland, she worked on a project relating to integration for the city of Vevey whilst cooperating with various associations in Lausanne on action plans against racism. Since then, she started working for the city of Yverdon-les-Bains as Project Manager for integration.
“My values are inspired by interpersonal relationships, conciliation, a sense of ethics, the reinforcement of social links as well as the sharing of skills and knowledge. My ambition is to turn all those into reality through my involvement within SANCHILD.”
SANCHILD Switzerland
Mariazel Maqueda López

Mariazel is an expert in telecommunications by the UGR (Spain) and has a Ph.D. in micro and nanotechnologies by the EPFL (Switzerland). Back in 2014, he was a volunteer with the NGO Amani in Nairobi (Kenya) in what was one of the most important epiphanies of her life. In the past, she has been NGO project manager, and currently, she is an advocacy officer consultant in Geneva. She uses her experience to promote numerous civil society associations in the fields of education, youth and woman promotion, migration and peacebuilding.
“I look forward to sharing the technical and technological dividend that is often monopolized by the developed countries to share it with our neighbors from the South, North, East and West. I believe in SANCHILD, and I work to make this dream the reality where the Balkans’ population will find peace.”
SANCHILD Switzerland
Amela Brcaninovic

Amela Brcaninovic holds a BA Degree in International relations and diplomacy and is a second-year MA student of Global Studies at Leipzig University and the University of Vienna. She is an activist, highly skilled in organizational management, research and communication. She started working for Sanchild as a Project Manager for the HARMONY Project.
“My goal is to be supportive of my local community development and to promote non-formal education.”
SANCHILD B&H
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