Forum of Federations

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Staff

	HQ STAFF

	Rupak Chattopadhyay [President and CEO] has master's degrees in economics and political science from the University of Ottawa and the University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign) and did his doctoral work in political science at the University of Toronto. He was closely involved with the peace process in Sri Lanka and discussions on constitutional reforms in the Philippines in his previous capacity as Director Asia-Pacific programs. He was also a member of the Consultative Group on the Study of Intergovernmental Relations and Dispute Resolution Mechanisms, Inter-State Council, Government of India. He co-editor of the five-volume series covering the proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Federalism, entitled "Unity in Diversity: Learning from Each Other". He is also co-editor of "Dialogues on Diversity and Unity in Federal Countries" and "Finance and Governance of Capital Cities in Federal Systems".

	Charles Cloutier [Vice President] Over the past 20 years, Charles has worked for various international/community development organizations such as the Canadian Council for International Cooperation, Oxfam Canada and CUSO. He was also Regional Director in the Outaouais for Transcontinental Media where he was responsible for the publication of 7 weekly community newspapers. He was a founding member of the Franco Ontarian theatre La Nouvelle Scene and sits on the Board of a Credit Union. Charles is a graduate of the University of Ottawa and University of Laval where he earned his Chartered Accountant designation. He is fluent in both French and English.

	Sheela Embounou [Head, Monitoring and Funder Relations] brings to the Forum over 20 years experience in program and financial management. She was previously Senior Director for Finance and Operations at the Forum. Prior to joining the Forum she worked for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Republic of Congo, Ghana and Kenya. She graduated from the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth majoring in Human Geography. Her languages are English and French.

	Felix Knüpling [Head, Programs and Partnerships] holds a Master's Degree in Political Science from Free University Berlin and a BA in International Relations from University of Kent (Canterbury). He was previously Director for Europe and Australia at the Forum. He has been with the German parliament - the Bundestag - for six years and also worked at the International Secretariat of the Parliamentary Assembly of NATO in Brussels. Felix has co-edited three books on federalism and has written several articles. He is fluent in German and English.

	Diana Chebenova [Director, Research and Publications] holds a Master's Degree in International Affairs from the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs at Carleton University and an MA in Commerce from the University of Economics of Bratislava. She was previously Director for South America Programs and Partnerships and has also worked on projects in Russia, Mexico, Spain and India. Prior to joining the Forum she worked at the Inter-American Agency for Co-operation and Development of the Organization of American States in Washington D.C. Diana speaks Slovak, English, Spanish, Russian, and some Portuguese and French.

	Mr. Pietro Merlo [Senior Advisor] is a career diplomat. He is on secondment from the German Foreign Office. He will support the Forum’s programs in Headquarters as well as in countries where projects have been agreed. Mr. Merlo worked with the German Government since 1985. He was already seconded for four years with FAO in Rome and he had postings in the German Embassies in Santiago de Chile, in Helsinki, at the Holy See and to Italy both in Rome. He performed his law studies at the Universities of Heidelberg and Hamburg and received a diploma from the Ecole Nationale d’Administration in Paris. He speaks German, French, English, Italian and Spanish. Mr. Merlo’s secondment constitutes part of Germany’s partnership contribution to the Forum of Federations. Mr. Pietro Merlo is Germany’s fifth secondment to the Forum. He succeeds Joern Rhode (2007), Hans Gnodtke (2008), Reinold Herber (2009-2011) and Dr. Christian Brecht (2011-2012).

	Oludare Austin Ayeni [Finance Officer] has over 20 years professional experience in banking, credit administration and accounting. He holds a diploma in Business Management (OND) and a diploma in Banking and Finance (HND) from Nigeria. He also has a diploma in Accounting and a post graduate certificate in Accounting and Information Technology (Canada). He has worked at the Commercial Bank (Credit Lyonnais) and the Universal Trust Bank, both in Nigeria; and several NGO’s in Canada as a finance clerk, general accountant, revenue accountant and project accountant. He speaks both English and Yoruba.

	Rosanne Beaudoin [Project Officer] has over 20 years of experience in Administration and Project work. Before joining the Forum, she worked in non-profit organizations which specialized in community and health services supporting various Directors, Managers and Committees. She speaks English and French.

	Rhonda Dumas [Project Officer] her past experience includes bookkeeping, conference planning and corporate travel. In her previous position, she was responsible for membership with a non-profit organization focusing on youth issues. She speaks English and French.

	Phillip Gonzalez [Project Officer] has a Master’s degree in International Relations from Monash University, Melbourne, Australia. There he conducted his major research thesis on Globalisation and State autonomy. He received his Bachelor’s degree from La Trobe University, Australia, completing a double major in politics and history. Phillip has previously worked at the Canadian Foundation for the Americas as well as the Australian High Commission in Ottawa. He is fluent in English and Spanish.

	Fauziah Pruner [Finance Officer] joined the Forum of Federations in January 2009 is responsible for corporate accounting and financial reporting. She is a Certified General Accountant and has extensive experience in both private and public sectors.

	Chris Randall [Network Manager-Contractor] is a computer engineer who has been with the Forum of Federations since August 1999. He does system design and user support for the Forum. His languages are English and French.


	ETHIOPIA-OFFICE

	Shawn Houlihan [Senior Director-Africa] has an MA in Public Administration from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University and a BA and Master of Development Economics from Dalhousie University. He spent five years in Ethiopia (1993-1998) in governance and civil service reform. He also has extensive experience in Sudan, for Canada and for the United National Development Programme. He worked as a consultant for the Canadian International Development Agency on matters of governance, capacity development and conflict management, including on the Middle East, Horn of Africa, Pan Africa and Southern Africa. Shawn is currently based in Adis Ababa, Ethiopia.

	Maeregu Habtemariam Kazentet, [Senior Program Manager, Governance Leadership Development Program]. Maeregu studied agriculture at a diploma level and has a BA in Economics (Hons) from India and MA in International Development Planning and Management from Germany. He has served the government of Ethiopia from the lowest structure (Wereda) up to key positions at federal government level for more than 15 years. He was a State Minister of the Ministry of Federal Affairs where one of his main responsibilities was strengthening the federal system of government and managing conflicts within the nation. Maeregu was actively involved in organizing the 5th International Conference on Federalism in Ethiopia in 2010.

	Martha Sahlou [Administration Officer] Has a BA in Business Management and Diploma in Computer Science and Accounting. Martha served as an Auditor, database Administrator, IT core staff member and trainer on Microsoft applications for the Office of Auditor General in Ethiopia. She was nominated by AFROSAI-E as a trainer of IT Audit for English speaking African countries and took IT Audit trainings in Zimbabwe, Lesotho and South Africa. She also worked as Admin Assistant /Accountant position for ACE Project (CIDA funded Canadian project), and as Admin Assistant and Intranet Guru Team for Engender Health Ethiopia Office. She has been working as a Project Administrator for Forum’s Ethiopia Country Office.

	Meron Girma [Administration Assistant] has a BA in Economics from Alpha University and is currently studying for her MA in Social Work at Indragandi University, India. Meron has about three years of experiences in both international and local NGO such as EngenderHealth and PHE Ethiopia respectively. She joined the Forum’s Ethiopia Office as Admin Assistance, and assists in planning and organizing activities of the Office.

	Endale Girma [Facilitator] has a Diploma in Auto-mechanics and close to ten years of work experience. He renders safe and timely transportation services and assists with logistical tasks at the Forum’s Ethiopia Country Office.

	NEPAL-OFFICE

	Sagar Manandhar manages the Forum's Nepal's country office. He holds a Masters Degree in Business Administration and is currently completing a Masters in Economics and a Bachelor in Law from the Tribhuvan University in Nepal. Before coming to the Forum, Sagar was in investment banking and credit administration in Nepal.


	ADVISORS

	Dr. Clive Grace [Senior Advisor of the Forum of Federations (Consultant)]. Is an experienced International Consultant, a role built on extensive senior executive and non-executive roles in government and public service, and in the commercial sector. He specialises in the practice and policy of decentralisation and of benchmarking public services. His international experience includes leading an International Project on Benchmarking Public Services, coaching senior managers and politicians in South African municipalities, and editing a book on changing and reforming the civil service in Nepal, India, South Africa and the UK. He is the former Chair of CIPFA’s International Board and a former Member of the UN Habitat Advisory Board for the UK. He is a Senior Advisor to the Forum of Federations, and an Honorary Research Fellow in international public services at Cardiff Business School. He is Chair of the Shared Services Centre company of the UK Research Councils, and of the Board of BT Wales, and he is the Senior Independent Director on the Board of Nominet. He was formerly Chair of the Local Better Regulation Office (2007-2012), Chair of Supporta plc (2007-2010), Director-General of the Audit Commission in Wales and Deputy Auditor-General (2002-2005) and Chief Executive of Torfaen County Borough Council (1995-2002). He holds a BSocSci from Birmingham University, a Master of Arts in Government from the University of California, a D Phil from Oxford University, and a Professional Diploma in Management from the Open University. He is also a qualified lawyer. He was made an OBE in the 2013 New Years Honours list.

	Reinold Herber [Senior Advisor of the Forum of Federations (Consultant)]. He works as a Consultant of German and European Affairs based in Cologne/Germany since his retirement 2011. He joined the Forum in 2008 as a diplomat on a three-year secondment from the German Foreign Service, where he worked since 2002. At the Forum Office in Ottawa/Canada he dealt with planning and research projects, co-ordinated the “Global Dialogue” project and the “Young Professionals” program. Previously he was an attaché of political and press affairs in Dublin/Ireland. Before that he worked at the Press and Information Office of the German Federal Government as Head of the department of employment, social and health policy. Beforehand he worked as Head of department at the Federal Office of the Christian Democratic Union of Germany. Herber taught economics and political science at the Universities of Bonn and Trier, Germany. He has a PhD and a diploma in economics from the University of Cologne. He was involved in a number of research projects of the EU, World Bank and IMF, mainly in Eastern Europe. He is an author of some scientific books and published numerous articles mainly about social order policy, social and health affairs and political communication.

	Udo Jude Ilo [Senior Program Adviser, Nigeria (Consultant)] was senior programs officer at the Nigerian Bar Association, research assistant at the British Institute of International and Comparative Law in London, and secretariat co-ordinator for the Nigerian Coalition on the Death Penalty Abolition, among other appointments. He has a Master of Laws degree from Central European University in Budapest, a Barrister at Law from the Nigerian Law School and an LLB from the Enugu State University of Science and Technology.

	David Parks [Senior Program Advisor, Latin America (Consultant)] He has an MA in international development. Before joining the Forum, he worked in Mexico, developed alternative energy projects in Cuba and also worked with fair trade coffee producers in Central America. His languages are English and Spanish.

	Leslie Seidle [Senior Program Advisor (Consultant)] previously held a number of senior positions in the Government of Canada, including director general of Strategic Policy and Research, Intergovernmental Affairs in the Privy Council Office (1996-2002). He was the senior research coordinator for the Royal Commission on Electoral Reform and Party Financing (1990-91). He is the author of Rethinking the Delivery of Public Services to Citizens (1995) and numerous articles on electoral reform, citizen participation, constitutional reform, public management and political finance. Dr. Seidle has edited/co-edited 13 books, including Immigrant Integration in Federal Countries (McGill-Queen’s University Press, 2012) and Belonging? Diversity, Recognition and Shared Citizenship in Canada (IRPP, 2007).

	Mr Dalbir Singh [Senior Program Advisor, India (Consultant)] is member of National Task Force on Local Governance & Decentralization and Secretary General of Foundation for Policy & Governance. He was previously Chairman of the Board of Bhagat Singh College, University of Delhi. He was also a member of Consultative Group for Conflict Resolution, Govt. of India. Mr. Singh holds honours degrees in law & commerce from Delhi University and Masters in Business Administration. As National Secretary of Indian National Congress has handled responsibilities of North East India, Communication & Information, in addition to association with numerous nation al level Committees of the Party relating to Policy, Planning, strategy, Logistic Management, Coordination of National & provincial elections.