2025 Conference Committee Nominees

The Conference Committee is comprised of five members who will be responsible for planning and organising the next Conference. The term will last two years, or until after the next Conference planned by the Conference Committee. UNA-UK members attending Conference - both in-person and online - are entitled to vote for the individuals who have nominated themselves for positions on the Conference Committee. This vote will take place during Conference on 12 April 2025. The profiles of the nominees are outlined below.

Nominee Information 

All profiles were written by the individual nominees. Any views expressed are those of the individual nominees and not necessarily shared by UNA-UK. Voters should be aware that UNA-UK have not verified any claims made within individuals' profiles

All candidates have confirmed that they understand the following: 

• Participation in the Conference Committee is voluntary. 
• It is a requirement to participate in regular committee meetings – scheduled in BST/GMT - via Zoom throughout the planning process.  
• It is a requirement for the committee to attend the Annual Conference in person. 
• UNA-UK does not cover travel expenses associated with attending the Conference. 
• The Conference Committee is an independent body consisting of UNA-UK members and supporters and does not represent UNA-UK views, with the exception of the Chair, who sits as an ex-officio member of the Board of Trustees. 

The candidates’ email addresses will not be made publicly available. This is to protect candidates’ privacy and ensure a fair election. If voters would like to contact a candidate, they can email info@una.org.uk with their query. The query will be forwarded to the candidate. Please note that candidates are under no obligation to respond, and UNA-UK will not respond on behalf of candidates.

• Sophie Kasmi

Positions applied for: Chair of Conference Committee and Deputy Chair of Conference Committee

As senior legal counsel for a global non-profit advising governments on policy, I work at the intersection of law, governance, and public policy, advising on how global initiatives are structured, negotiated, and implemented. I have experience with UN bodies, international organisations, and government stakeholders, ensuring policies are practical and impactful. 
 
I have long been passionate about global cooperation and grassroots engagement, having worked pro bono and volunteered with various organisations. I currently serve pro bono as an Expert to the UNECE on Public-Private Partnerships, contributing to guidelines on gender equality and sustainable development. 
 
I have been a passionate UNA-UK member for many years. I attended my first event in 2016, which hosted UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on the 70th anniversary of the UN’s first meetings. Last year, I had the honour of representing UNA-UK as a delegate to CSW68, the UN Commission on the Status of Women in New York, and in 2024, I served as a UNA-UK delegate at the World Federation of UNAs (WFUNA) Plenary in Tbilisi. 
 
The UNA-UK Conference is a unique opportunity to unite members, inspire action, and shape the organisation’s future. If elected, I will: 

• Deliver a high calibre, engaging Conference that sparks meaningful debate and drives change.
• Strengthen member participation. 
• Expand UNA-UK’s influence, fostering connections between members, policymakers, and international organisations. 

I believe in UNA-UK’s mission and the power of a strong, connected community. As Conference Chair, I would be honoured to serve, ensuring the event is inclusive, impactful, and forward-thinking. 

• Hana Shono

Position applied for: Chair of the Conference Committee and Deputy Chair of the Conference Committee

Having served as Vice-Chair of the UNA-UK Conference Committee for the past four years, I feel confident in my ability to organise a conference for members by members. My position as Chair of UNA Scotland, member of the UNA LASER Committee, former director of UNA/MUN at UNA-YP and member of UNA Streatham and Clapham further align with this.

It is my every intention to make the UNA-UK Members Conference an opportunity for UNA-UK members and supporters alike to determine the direction of the conference, thereby deciding what recommendations are put forward to the UNA-UK Board and for the committee to ensure that this process is inclusive and transparent. Furthermore, by being a part of various UNAs and regularly attending UNA Group meetings, I would like to extend and solidify the relationship between Groups and the Conference Committee to make sure that the conference truly is such a platform for growth and collaboration.

Outside of UNA, I am currently working towards qualifying as a solicitor in the UK. In 2021, I volunteered with a youth organisation dedicated towards the development of the UN Youth Office and have worked for short periods with various local and international businesses. While I was an undergraduate, I was a part of several cultural societies dedicated to celebrating Asian culture and bridging the gap between students and the local community. I studied History at the University of St Andrews, later obtaining a master’s from UCL and a Law degree from the University of Law.

• Viv Williams

Position applied for: Committee Member

I am a long-standing member of UNA and served as a board member for several years initially under Sir Jeremy Greenstock..

I have served as a Conference Committee member for this last period and found that as I am the only person on that committee which bridges the transition to the current UNA format, my input has, I think, been quite valuable.

I am chairman of the UNA Southern Counties Region, and while this is a diminishing task because of the reduced number of members, it gives me access to the Group Chair meetings which means I can coordinate those views with the Conference Committee.

• Bolanle Oyediran

Position applied for: Committee member

I'm a woman on a mission to end global poverty and hunger. Hence, being a founding partner and director of a non-for-profit social enterprise called Wonderful Way CIC, registered in the United Kingdom since July 2021. An organisation sets out to support individuals and families who are living in poverty, facing financial difficulties and hunger.

In the past four years, I have successfully delivered money management support through workshops, trainings, and coaching sessions for over 1,500 individuals and families living in the grassroots and deprived communities across the UK using my expertise as
a Certified Money Coach(CMC) by the Money Coaching Institute, California, USA with over 5 years of experience in behavioural money coaching. Through my involvement at Wonderful Way CIC, we've partnered with various organisations to further deliver intervention programmes have impacted positively over 2,500 individuals and families to allivate poverty and enhance positive transformation for growth and progress. As a money coach, my expertise and support are sought after by organisations like Department of Work and Pensions - UK government, Department of Culture, Media and Sports - UK government, banks such as Metro Bank, Nationwide Bank, charities, local authorities, religious organisations, universities, colleges, secondary and primary schools in the UK and across the globe.

For the past three years in a row, I have engaged and fully involved with the UN Women UK virtual participants on the Commission on Status of Women supporting the policy that shapes equal rights of girls and women in across the globe.

• Shinu Yohannan

Position applied for: Committee Member

I am honored to stand for the UNA-UK Conference Committee and to contribute to the important work of the United Nations Association-UK (UNA-UK). My involvement in fundraising for UNA-UK as part of the 2025 Great North Run is an expression of my passion for advancing the UN’s core values, which I firmly believe are essential in addressing the world’s most pressing challenges, including poverty, climate change, conflict, and human rights violations.

UNA-UK plays a pivotal role in ensuring that the UK remains an active participant in global solutions by advocating for policies aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Their commitment to raising public awareness about global issues and lobbying the UK government to take stronger action is a cause I am deeply passionate about.

As a candidate for the Conference Committee, I aim to help strengthen UNA-UK’s advocacy and public engagement efforts, ensuring that the UK remains a strong voice in shaping solutions to global challenges. I believe in the power of collaboration and the importance of educating individuals about the impact of the UN and its work worldwide. Through my efforts, I hope to further enhance UNA-UK’s mission, encourage more people to become actively involved, and ensure that we remain a driving force in promoting peace, justice, and sustainability.

I am truly committed to this cause, and I hope to bring ideas, energy to the UNA-UK Committee. Your support will help UNA-UK continue its essential work, and I’m excited for the opportunity to serve in this important capacity.