Who we are

Acting Director and Deputy Director, Integrated Business Centre

Miguel Panadero brings over 25 years of experience in leadership, management and learning in the international public sector. He has a proven track record in fostering knowledge networks and helping organizations drive change, innovation and digital transformation in pursuit of agility, operational excellence, and sustainable results in line with the values for which the UN stands. A Spanish national, Miguel holds a Master of Laws (LL.M.) from the Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha and is an alumnus of doctoral studies in Regional Analysis at the Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, the University of Plymouth and the Université Catholique de Louvain.

Deputy Director, Learning and Knowledge Services

Silke Weinlich brings over 20 years' experience on issues related to United Nations processes and reforms in various policy fields ranging from peacekeeping and peacebuilding to sustainable development. Prior to joining UNSSC, Silke was Senior Researcher at IDOS, the German Institute of Development and Sustainability, where she led a research and policy advice project on the UN development system and its reform needs. She holds a doctorate in political science, with a specialization in international relations, from Bremen University, as well as a master’s degree in political science from the Free University Berlin.  

Chief, Academic Partnerships  

Simona Costanzo Sow has over 20 years of experience in policy advocacy, partnership building and networking in the inter-governmental sphere, civil society, academia and the private sector.  

Prior to this position, Simona designed and implemented programmes for senior leaders in the United Nations and beyond on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.    She previously worked with the United Nations Volunteers programme, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and as the Director of the Coordinating Committee for International Voluntary Service. 

Simona holds a PhD in Geography from the Technical University of Munich.  

Head, Peace and Security Hub

Svenja Korth has served for over 30 years throughout the UN system, including postings in Namibia, Equatorial Guinea, Suriname and Nicaragua. Her areas of focus include partnership building for conflict prevention as well as leveraging internal and external expertise to sustain peace and improve operational outcomes. She holds a Master of Arts (MA) in Applied Anthropology from American University and a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Swahili and Anthropology from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London.

 Head, Knowledge Centre for Leadership and Management (KCLM)  

Berin brings to the table over 15 years of experience within the UN system, primarily with UNITAR, and five years as a Learning Portfolio Manager at UNSSC. He possesses extensive expertise in instructional design, facilitation, innovation, leadership, management of learning projects and knowledge management.  He has designed and led blended training programmes for various organizations including the UN Secretariat, UN Population Fund, World Food Programme, Pan American Health Organization, Food Agriculture Organization, and UN Environment Programme, as well as for Afghanistan, Iraq, South Sudan, and ASEAN. Berin holds a master's degree in political sciences from the University of Auckland. 

Chief of Administration Services, Integrated Business Centre

Yazan Musharbash brings over 18 years of professional experience in operations, management, corporate compliance, enterprise resource planning(ERP) implementation, digital transformation, and organizational effectiveness within the United Nations. His extensive service covers country offices, regional bureaus, and headquarters for entities such as the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS), the UN Development Programme (UNDP), and other UN Agencies. Yazan holds a Master of Business Administration from the New York Institute of Technology and a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from Al-Balqa’ Applied University in Amman, Jordan.

Head, Knowledge Centre for Sustainable Development

Patrick van Weerelt has over 25 years of experience in sustainable development, governance and human rights. His years of service have included postings at the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNOHCHR), the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations System Staff College. Since 2015, he has led the UNSSC Knowledge Centre for Sustainable Development in Bonn, Germany. He holds a Master’s in Dutch Law from the University of Maastricht, and a Master’s in International Human Rights and Humanitarian Law from the University of Lund.

Programme Management Officer, Directorate

Chiara Piatti manages strategic institutional partnerships, initiatives and corporate affairs while also serving as Secretary of the UNSSC Board of Governors. Chiara joined the Staff College in 2001, after working in corporate communications for the private sector. She holds an Executive Master’s in International Negotiation and Policy Making from the Geneva Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies (IHEID) and a Bachelor of Arts in European Studies. 

Team Lead, Communications and Outreach 

Peter Serenyi has deep experience in communications, having spent almost 20 years with the UN and through his work as a foreign correspondent. His UN experience includes postings with the United Nations Development Operations Coordination Office (DOCO) and UNDP. Prior to this, he worked as a journalist for diverse media including the Moscow Times, Reuters, and The Economist, where he reported from Moscow, Budapest and London. He holds a Master of International Affairs from Columbia University and a B.A. in history from Washington University in St. Louis.