OUR TEAM

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 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 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.”

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 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