After a long and thorough selection process, we have narrowed the applicants for our open positions down to the following individuals. As a member of UNA-Chicago, you have the opportunity to vote for who you believe will forward the ideals of the United Nations best in our organization.

Polls are open to cast your member vote for the candidates for the United Nations Association’s open director positions for 2020.

The deadline to cast your vote is our December 10 Volunteer Day event, during which the winning candidates for each position will be announced.

We hope to see you there!

Applicants for President

Magi

Why do you want to be a part of UNA- Chicago? 

I’ve been a part of this chapter for almost four years now. I’ve loved being able to shape the mission thus far, and I’m excited to hopefully bring some of my ideas to life in 2020-2021.

Why do you believe you will be a good fit for the specific position you are applying to? 

As I mentioned, I’ve been a part of the organization for a few years now, and I understand how to keep the chapter running. With that being said, I also have the bandwidth to focus on some of our newer initiatives, as well as revamp some of our existing ones, such as the Global Goals committee. I believe that we can be more intentional with our planning of this committee, as well as planning of events as a whole. However, no matter what my position, I’m excited to work with all of our volunteers next year, and my main goal will be to make sure that they feel they are contributing in a way that they believe is meaningful.

Applicants for Vice President

Adon

Why do you want to be a part of UNA- Chicago? 

My values of paying it forward, helping those that can’t help themselves and the idea of leaving a world in a better place than when I entered it aligns perfectly with UNA-Chicago!

Why do you believe you will be a good fit for the specific position you are applying to? 

I believe that with that my corporate and entrepreneurial background would add a lot of value to this role.

Amanda

Why do you want to be a part of UNA- Chicago? 

I’m passionate about a variety of issues – equality for all, education, poverty, just to name a few – and finding an organization that impacts all of these issues has been challenging. When I saw this opening, I realized this is the opportunity I’ve been searching for! Joining the UN-Chicago is my way of fulfilling all of my passions and on a global scale. And I can do it without engaging in cutthroat politics. More importantly, I want to be a part of a team that works hard and collaboratively to get things done.

Why do you believe you will be a good fit for the specific position you are applying to? 

It’s not just what I can gain from being the VP, it’s also about how I can best serve the UN-Chicago and its members. Having spent almost 14 years in development and marketing for the nonprofit sector, I can help with fundraising efforts and with organizational growth and oversight. I have staffed many boards and understand how boards can operate effectively and efficiently. I would be honored to employ these skills to help the UN-Chicago make an even greater impact.

Applicants for Advocacy

Ben

Why do you want to be a part of UNA- Chicago? 

I’ve had the pleasure of being advocacy director for UNA-Chicago since 7/2018. I believe that the UNA is incredibly important because it continues to build support for the United States’ leading role at the UN, where our nation works to prevent war, resolve conflicts, protect our planet, and defend human rights. With the current status of our political affairs, where the U.S. has pulled out of UNESCO, the Paris Climate Agreement, Iran Nuclear Deal, and threatening to leave NATO; it is incredibly important to educate U.S. citizens on the importance of the US’s role in the UN and motivate people to take action projecting support for it. UNA-Chicago is taking real action on important issues throughout Chicagoland.

Why do you believe you will be a good fit for the specific position you are applying to? 

As Advocacy Director for UNA-Chicago, I’ve built a 20+ organization coalition to support our Chicago/Cook County for CEDAW (convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women) campaign. We successfully earned a proclamation of support for CEDAW from the Chicago Mayor’s Office and are in the process of working to pass a CEDAW ordinance in Cook County. Our coalition has met with several members of the Cook County Board and hope to speak before the Women’s Caucus in the next few months. I have a strong interest in politics, international affairs, and current events. I frequently read major publications that report on those topics. I’m also a seasoned community organizer who has worked for advocacy organizations, non-profits, government offices, and political campaigns. I’ve specialized in developing and executing field engagement plans and growing grassroots movements. I’ve recruited, trained, and managed volunteers and staff members to gain organizing skills and achieve structured goals. I’ve gained field experience in local, state, federal, and national political campaigns. Additionally, I’ve worked on behalf of issues such as marriage equality, health care expansion, and obesity prevention with duties including coordinating days of action. Alternatively, I have worked in both state and federal government offices, where I built strategic partnerships and conducted outreach to neighborhood associations, community organizations, local schools, elected officials, faith groups, non-profits, and advocacy organizations. It was also my responsibility to coordinate constituency outreach events such as an Affordable Care Act enrollment seminar, temporary visitor driver’s license forum, property tax workshop, diabetes screening, blood drive, financial literacy course, and women’s health fair. I also led initiatives that formed coalitions to propose and pass new legislation and assisted at all levels of the legislative process. I believe that the diversity of my experience would allow me to be successful in this role.

Eric

Why do you want to be a part of UNA- Chicago? 

I want to extend my career and professional network into those in the Chicago area who have worked or are working with the United Nations. I also wish to engage with others who are interested in the issues and promote the work of the UN and its global goals, especially at a time like this in our country.

Why do you believe you will be a good fit for the specific position you are applying to? 

My résumé is a partial overview of some past work experiences. I have practiced law domestically in New York and have some international law practice with the UN. One of the past accomplishments that I believe is relevant is an internship at one of the former UN ad hoc war crimes tribunals in The Hague. This is also the tribunal which set the most historical legal precedent and an experience I wish to draw upon in my future career.

Teresa

Why do you want to be a part of UNA- Chicago? 

I want to be a part of UNA-Chicago because I want to be affiliated with a group of people that is dedicated to making a difference. The work of the United Nations is critical to achieving global change, and global change is rooted in local action.

Why do you believe you will be a good fit for the specific position you are applying to? 

I first became passionate about the work of the United Nations as an undergraduate, when I became involved in competitive Model United Nations. I also volunteered as an assistant chair and a chair for three years for a non-profit organization that ran a Model United Nations conference for high school students. Now, as an attorney, I advocate for my clients on a daily basis, so I understand how to take complex issues, break them down, and deliver information in a persuasive manner, which is an important skill to have as the Advocacy Director. I am also particularly passionate about connecting people with opportunities to engage with the work of the United Nations, as I was fortunate enough to work for three months for a UN criminal tribunal in The Hague.

Applicants for Education

Felipe

Why do you want to be a part of UNA- Chicago? 

I’m looking to join a mission-driven organization that will allow me to feel a sense of fulfillment. I am also very inspired and motivated when working in training and education as I did at the National Safety Council.

Applicants for Membership

Nisha

Why do you want to be a part of UNA- Chicago? 

Advocating for the global goals of the UN for peace, security, human rights, and development, is evermore vital at present. In efforts to become a sustainable city, Chicagoan’s must align toward a global platform through collective local action. I hope to be part of an organization that is part of a larger mission, inspiring citizens to become advocates for 17 global goals. All local groups can unquestionably benefit with proper information and directives on pertinent issues.

Why do you believe you will be a good fit for the specific position you are applying to? 

Throughout my collegiate career, I was involved in organizations affiliated or mission-aligned to the United Nations. One of the most difficult aspects of a non-profit organization, is member engagement. In AIESEC, a student run not-for-profit that advocated for the 2030 UN goals, membership retention was a vital and strategic goal for the executive board. Through planned guidelines, in one-year, member retention jumped 42%. Additionally, it is also important to ensure UNA’s advocacy efforts attract and convert new members, not only to achieve the 2020 goal of 1,000 members, but to expand the reach of the Chicago chapter. I strongly believe the success of any organization is in its members.

If you have any questions, please contact UNA-Chicago’s VP at: MZlatkova@unachicago.org