About CBi

overview
Our Team
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Kareem Elbayar
Programme Coordinator
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Kareem Elbayar
Programme Coordinator

Kareem Elbayar is the Programme Coordinator of the Connecting Business initiative.

Kareem was a Partnerships Manager for OCHA's Centre for Humanitarian Data, where he was responsible for identifying, assessing and securing strategic partners with a focus on the private sector. From 2016-2018, Kareem was a Technology Partnerships Adviser for the Director of OCHA’s Corporate Programmes Division, managing relationships with Google, Microsoft, Facebook, and dozens of other technology companies. From 2013–2016, Kareem served as a Programme Manager for UNOPS in Iraq, overseeing a portfolio of more than $25 million in law reform and emergency humanitarian relief projects.

Prior to joining the UN, Kareem worked as a Legal Advisor at the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law, specializing in freedom of association in the Arab world. Kareem holds a Juris Doctor and a Masters in International Affairs from the George Washington University in Washington, DC. 

Florian Rhiza Nery
Deputy Programme Coordinator
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Florian Rhiza Nery
Deputy Programme Coordinator

Rhiza Nery is the Network Coordination Specialist of the Connecting Business initiative (CBi) based in Istanbul, Turkey. Her portfolio includes network support and management, impact measurement, accountability to affected populations and SME disaster resilience. 

Previously, Rhiza used to be the Business Continuity Program Manager of the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF) - the Philippines’ major coordinator for private sector engagement in disaster risk reduction and management efforts. During her work with PDRF, she led the implementation of PDRF’s business continuity programs for Micro, Small, Medium enterprises (MSMEs), corporations and critical infrastructure. One of her major accomplishments include leading the establishment of a Continuity of Operations or Public Service Continuity Program for the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council of the Philippines. She also worked as a Professional Fellow at the Florida Division of Emergency Management where she acted as an emergency planner for Emergency Support Function (ESF-18) - Business, Industry and Economic Stabilization during Hurricane Michael in 2018. 

She is an environmental/urban planner and a certified business continuity professional by the Disaster Recovery Institute International. Due to her contribution in the field of business continuity, the Business Continuity Institute has recognized her as “Continuity and Resilience Professional in the Public Sector for Asia” in 2018 and 2019. 

She completed her Masters in Disasters, Adaptation and Development at King’s College London as a Chevening Scholar.    

Iria González
Regional Network Coordination Officer for Latin America and the Caribbean
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Iria González
Regional Network Coordination Officer for Latin America and the Caribbean

Iria has more than 7 years of experience working with the private sector. From 2019 to 2022, she worked as a Gender Equality and Private Sector agent for the Global Programme on Business for Gender Equality, in UNDP’s Regional Hub for LAC. Her role included supporting the implementation of the Gender Equality Seal for the private sector, capacity building, business development and regional economic recovery.

Prior to joining the UN, Iria worked as a Senior Project and Marketing Manager in the private sector for over 4 years, leading innovation and development projects on marine sustainability and Circular Economy. She started her professional journey in the marketing team of a tech start-up to foster sustainable consumption.

Iria holds a master’s degree in Peace and Conflict Studies by the University of St. Andrews, a postgraduate degree in Diplomacy by the University of Oxford and an MBA and bachelor’s degree in Business Management and Administration by the University of Deusto (Spain). She speaks Spanish, Basque, English and French.

Shahnaz Radjy
Communications and Knowledge Management Officer
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Shahnaz Radjy
Communications and Knowledge Management Officer

Shahnaz is a freelance writer and communications adviser based in rural Portugal. She supports CBi in all things communication-related: social media, reports, blogs and articles, and more. 

Previously, Shahnaz worked as Senior Communications Specialist at the Vitality Institute, where she managed all aspects of communications, events, and public relations for the Institute. She also led the initiative on integrated heath metrics reporting, and supported project work ranging from healthy aging to intergenerational mentorship, and design for health. 

Prior to that, she was on the Health Team of the World Economic Forum, managing the Workplace Wellness Alliance project which worked with leading multinational companies, facilitating best practice sharing and carrying out data collection across geographies for peer-to-peer and regional benchmarking. She also worked on the broader chronic disease portfolio, integrating health into the agenda of the Annual Meeting in Davos for four consecutive years.  

With a diverse background in health, communications, and business, Shahnaz has experience running global campaigns for the International Labor Organization as well as with startups in Bolivia, Switzerland, and the US. During the few years she spent in Bolivia, she volunteered extensively with the Red Cross and the La Paz Childrens Hospital. 

Originally half Iranian, half Bolivian, Shahnaz grew up in Switzerland and did her undergraduate degree at the University of Pennsylvania before completing a Healthcare Management MBA degree in Europe. She and her husband are now renovating an old farm into an ecotourism project in Portugal.  

(Nara) Huihua Hu
Impact Measurement and Knowledge Officer
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(Nara) Huihua Hu
Impact Measurement and Knowledge Officer

Nara is a dedicated professional with a diverse skill set and a passion for making a positive impact. Her experience spans across various sectors, showcasing her expertise in impact measurement, knowledge management, as well as digital and innovations.

Nara currently serves as the Impact Measurement and Knowledge Officer at CBi, where she leads CBi’s impact reporting process and oversees its learning and development strategy. Additionally, she manages the global portal and provides crucial support for communications initiatives. Notably, Nara has actively participated in disaster management training programs such as the "Humanitarian Coordination Foundation Programme" organized by OCHA and the "Advancing Government Innovation and Leveraging Frontier Technologies for Disaster Risk Reduction and Building Resilience" organized by UNDRR and UNDESA, demonstrating her commitment to professional growth and development.

Before her role at CBi, Nara gained valuable experience as a marketing professional in Fortune Global 500 private sector companies in China. Her expertise lies in business development, project management, and marketing strategies.

Nara's dedication to creating positive change is evident through her extensive involvement in community-based projects across Africa. Her experience includes contributing to women's empowerment initiatives in Tanzania, supporting the sustainable development of the coffee value chain in Rwanda, and promoting inclusive education in Senegal.

Nara holds an MBA from Bayers Business School (formerly Cass), at City University of London in the UK.

 

Collien Jean Manuncia Rafael
Finance and Administration Officer
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Collien Jean Manuncia Rafael
Finance and Administration Officer

Collien is the Finance and Administration Officer of the Connecting Business initiative (CBi) based in Istanbul, Turkey. Her role is to support the coordination and implementation of project procurement, travel and HR management strategies, financial and budgetary management, and partnership development.

Before joining CBi, she was a Training/Events Management Documentation Consultant for the UNDP- Istanbul International Center for Private Sector in Development (IICPSD). She supported training Programs on “Harnessing the Role of the Private Sector for Effective Development Cooperation.”

Her professional experience is rooted in her six years of work for an international organization, where she took on various roles. She was a Finance Operations Supervisor for a unit performing finance and accounting functions for vendors, financial institutions, government agencies, charities, and non-profit organizations. She also led the Personal Finance Services operations for around 750 volunteers from different countries and worked as a Payroll and Compensation and Benefits Specialist for 140 local employees. Within these years, she coordinated various projects to streamline and automate finance and HR processes and strongly supported training and development initiatives.

She was also a College Instructor for Business and Management and a former Branch Accountant for a Thrift Bank in the Philippines.

She holds a degree in Business Administration with a specialization in Financial Management.

Emily Herzog
Project Management and Communications Analyst
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Emily Herzog
Project Management and Communications Analyst

Emily Herzog is the Project Management Assistant of the Connecting Business initiative (CBi) based in Geneva, Switzerland.

She previously supported UN OCHA Geneva's Emergency Response Section assisting the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group's Secretariat with strengthening the capacity of urban search and rescue teams for disaster preparedness and response. Prior to joining the UN, she served as the County of Hawaii's Economic Recovery Coordinator assisting local businesses address and evolve from the continued impacts of COVID-19. Emily has interned with the U.S. Mission in Geneva’s Humanitarian Affairs team and with an international advocacy NGO in Sri Lanka.

Emily graduated with a Master in International Affairs from the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva, Switzerland. Before pursuing her Master, she began her career as a Paralegal Specialist with the U.S. Department of Justice's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section in Washington, D.C.

Partner Voices
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Chairperson, Vanuatu Business Resilience Council

The knowledge sharing between CBi networks has given the VBRC additional capacity to change lives. Thanks to CBi tools and guidelines, the private sector has a credible voice in disaster response in Vanuatu. 

Glen Craig
Chairperson, Vanuatu Business Resilience Council
Country Director, Asia Pacific Alliance for Disaster Management (A-PAD) Sri Lanka

The CBi platform has enabled us to explore international standards and guidance in achieving resilience along with sustainable development as well as with a value addition of networking with partnering nations in terms of knowledge management and expertise. 

Firzan "Hush" Hashim
Country Director, Asia Pacific Alliance for Disaster Management (A-PAD) Sri Lanka
Executive Director, Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF)

Over the last 5 years, our partnership with CBi has been beneficial in pushing forward the agenda of how private sector networks coordinate and collaborate with governments and the UN - ultimately, making a significant difference to people's lives affected by crises. 

Veronica Gabaldon
Executive Director, Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation
President, Private Sector Humanitarian Platform Madagascar

CBi has changed the private sector vision and perception in the humanitarian field. Private sector business activities are often exposed to risks. However, thanks to CBi, Member Networks have know-how and support to use their potential resources to reduce risks related to disasters. 

Isabelle Salabert
President, Private Sector Humanitarian Platform Madagascar
Executive Director, AGERCA (Alliance pour la Gestion des Risques et la Continuité des Activités, Haiti)

CBi has enabled AGERCA to learn from other networks about emergency response initiatives that we can adapt to your reality in Haiti in order to achieve better results. 

Fania C. Joseph
Executive Director, AGERCA (Alliance pour la Gestion des Risques et la Continuité des Activités, Haiti)
Hans-Peter Teufers

CBi has helped us to look at the world differently - especially in humanitarian relief focus areas. at large, this partnership has helped to increase engagement pushing us closer to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals. 

Hans-Peter Teufers
Director, International Programs, The UPS Foundation
Nikki Clifton

CBi and its networks have made a big difference during the first five years of the initiative. Their expertise has helped us to deliver what matters to communities in need. 

Nikki Clifton
President, Social Impact and The UPS Foundation
Chief of Programmes, United Nations Global Compact

Our work with CBi recognizes the role that the business sector can play in limiting disruption and facilitating recovery. It brings critical expertise and coordination on disaster preparedness and recovery to the UN Global Compact and our local networks. 

Lila Karbassi
Chief of Programmes, United Nations Global Compact
Shaheen Kassim-Lakha

CBi is reimagining how partnerships can work more effectively and ensure local voices and member networks are leading solutions for their own communities. 

Shaheen Kassim-Lakha
Director, Strategic Partnerships, Conrad N. Hilton Foundation
Managing Director & Senior Partner, Boston Consulting Group

CBi's 5-year journey is a terrific testimony to the power of collective action. Its networks have touched the lives of millions of people and CBi will have even greater impact as it engages more companies in more countries. 

David Young
Managing Director & Senior Partner, Boston Consulting Group
Achim Steiner

In the last five years CBi business networks have helped people in over 100 crisis. We look forward to expanding our work with our business partners in these critical context to leave no one behind and build back better while accelerating progress towards the SDGs.

Achim Steiner
Administrator, United Nations Development Programme

Coordination with the private sector for enhanced and effective humanitarian principled responses is CBi’s core strength. CBi has built from its unique value proposition, which includes harnessing coordination with the private sector and its expertise and unique capacities to respond effectively to disasters and complex crises around the world.

 

Emmanuel N. Nouga
Chief (Acting), Private Sector Engagement, Diaspora and Innovation Division. Office of Global Policy, Partnerships, Programs and Communications. Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance. USAID