Introducing the 2024 URI Global Council Trustees

Elianildo da Silva Nascimento, a seasoned lawyer and advocate for human rights, currently serves as the Coordinator of Policies for the Protection and Promotion of Religious Freedom at the Human Rights Secretariat of the Government of the Federal District. With a law degree from Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, he has played pivotal roles, including Executive Secretary for several district committees focused on religious diversity, combating torture, and eradicating slave labor. Elianildo has been a staunch advocate in the Brazilian National Congress since 2002, focusing on religious freedom and disarmament. His extensive experience in promoting interreligious dialogues and coordinating human rights conferences marks him as a leading figure in human rights advocacy in Brazil.

Francisco Morales is Urban Indigenous member of the Aymara community in Argentina, and he is a social science student and writer on issues of Indigenous worldview and Latin American thinking. Francisco has been a part of URI since 2008, when he and others founded Comunidad Cosmica CC. He was selected as URI Youth Ambassador in 2010 and serves as a member of the URI Multiregion Leadership Team. He has been a part of the youth facilitators team since 2017.

Currently, Francisco is also advisor to different social organizations on issues of interreligious dialogue and diversity in conflict situations. He is a member of the First Nations of America Student Community - CEPNA. Together, with other Indigenous writers, Francisco founded the Circle of Indigenous Written and Oral Knowledge.

Marina Tirado Misle, a graphic designer from Venezuela, combines her artistic talents with a passion for peace and interreligious dialogue. Educated at College Vieux Montreal, she has been the President of Centro Zen Bodaishin since 1993 and is deeply engaged in spiritual education and community initiatives. Marina advocates for enhancing communication within the United Religions Initiative network in Latin America and the Caribbean, focusing on harmonious collaboration and shared goals. She is committed to developing programs for youth that promote peace culture, dialogue, and environmental care, aiming to empower future generations and foster community support through strategic partnerships. Fluent in Spanish, with proficiency in French and basic English, she integrates Zen training and Reiki mastery into her leadership and community work.

Ahmed Abdullah Mohammed Salih is a distinguished legal advisor and lawyer from the Kurdistan region of Iraq. He holds Bachelor's degrees in Law and Agricultural Engineering. His passion for law inspired further studies, leading to a Master’s degree in Cybercrime Law. Ahmed took on leadership at "Smart Lawyer," a company known for its exemplary legal and advisory services to both local and international organizations. He has significantly contributed to leading and supporting student and youth organizations. Since 2010, he has been an active participant in the activities of URI (United Religions Initiative), working diligently to eliminate violence and promote justice and peace. 

Dr. Omar Ahmad Tayeh is from Amman, Jordan and has a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology with experiences in the private sector, public institutions, NGOs, and educational institutions. Dr. Tayeh is one of the founders of the Arab Council for Gifted and Talented, Jordanian Psychological Association and Jordanian Volunteer Center, and has worked as a general director for one of the biggest schools in Jordan, as well as the President of Private Schools Council. He has also established cultural exchange programs between Jordan and the USA, Germany, Italy, and other Arab countries. Dr. Tayeh is interested in subjects related to education, peace, cross-cultural Issues, human rights, and religions. 

El Hassane Zamani, from Morocco, is an accomplished professional in Information Sciences and a dedicated leader in community and interfaith initiatives. He holds a Master’s degree in Archives and Documentation from the School of Information Sciences in Rabat and has significantly contributed to educational leadership as the General Director at prominent educational institutions. A foundational member of several NGOs and deeply involved with the United Religions Initiative since 2010, El Hassane has led numerous workshops on leadership, negotiation, and citizenship. Proficient in Arabic, French, and Spanish, he is committed to promoting interfaith cooperation and integration projects. He currently leads the Moroccan League for the Protection of Children and founded the Rotary Club of Maamora Kenitra.  

Greshma Pious Raju, an interfaith leader from India, is pursuing a Master of Arts in Environmental Studies and holds degrees in English and International Peace Studies. Founder of the Ecopeace Teen Café CC, she champions youth engagement and interfaith dialogue. Fluent in Malayalam, English, and Hindi, and intermediate knowledge in Spanish, Greshma has effectively led initiatives addressing environmental sustainability and human rights through her Ecopeace Movement.

Her commitment to the United Religions Initiative’s principles is evident in her advocacy for interfaith collaboration, empowering youth and women, and using innovative approaches to expand dialogue and build inclusive communities. Greshma is also a vocal advocate at international forums, where she promotes global peace and environmental action. Her local and global efforts aim to foster mutual understanding and community cooperation.

Catherine Starr, from Canada, is an experienced personal life coach with a Master’s in Library Science from San Jose State University and a Bachelor’s in Psychology from the University of Houston. Her career includes roles in information management and web development, alongside significant interfaith leadership. Since 2006, Catherine has been the Wiccan Chaplain at the University of Toronto, and from 2008 to 2023, she chaired the Campus Chaplains Association, coordinating efforts across multiple chaplains. A key participant in the 2018 Parliament of World Religions’ Toronto Steering Committee, she has extensive experience in group facilitation and public speaking. Catherine is dedicated to enhancing support for grassroots organizations through URI, advocating for shared learning to tackle community challenges.

Mr. Issac S. Thomas is a young leader from Kerala, India. He joined URI at the age of 13 and has been working amongst youth since then. Initially part of the South India Sri Lanka region, he was one of the first young leaders training program (YLP) candidate and later became the Youth Ambassador for the region. He founded Global Youth Movement (GYM) CC in 2017 and joined the Multiregion. Under his leadership, youngsters have grown and thrived as individuals and as a group concentrating on platforms like interfaith, intercultural and intergenerational dialogue, conflict resolution and reconciliation, women and youth empowerment, environmental protection and sustainable development, disarmament of nuclear weapons, advocacy for human rights etc. His vision, work ethics and ability to build bridges have kept him steadfast in his mission as a peace multiplier. He is also the coordinator of ‘One Billion Youth for Peace’ movement by Cosmic Community CC and an active member of the Youth Ministry of Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church. Outside of URI, being a Bachelor of Technology graduate in electronics and communication, he works as a Network Engineer in Doha, Qatar. He strongly believes that URI is a global family and sticks to the motto 'Think globally and act locally.'

Bhikkhu Vasu Bandhu is a Buddhist Monk at the Dhammapada Sangha; serving as Interfaith Manager for the Arizona Faith Network; representing North America on the International Youth Committee of Religions for Peace; as Co-Chair on the Faith for Earth Youth Council of the United Nations Environment Programme; as a Global Council Trustee from North America for the United Religions Initiative; and on the Global Youth Network of the Charter for Compassion. He has served the interfaith movement since age 18, collaborating with diverse interfaith organizations including the Parliament of the World's Religions. He is 29 years old; his studies are in Political Science and Social Projects from UnADM; 4 years ago, he migrated from his country of origin, Mexico, to the United States of America to live with his husband, who is Muslim.

Geneva Blackmer is a Ph.D. Candidate at Amridge University, with master’s degrees in Ecumenical and Religious Studies. She is the Interim Director for the Interfaith Center at Miami University CC, and a Research Assistant within the University of Bonn’s Theological Faculty. She has served as a Global Council Trustee for URI North America since 2020. Her background consists of interreligious cooperation at a grassroots level, working with numerous interfaith organizations and CCs, including the North American Interfaith Network, the Interfaith Council of Southern Nevada, the Interfaith Council of Metropolitan Washington, Faith Communities Go Green, Interfaith Cincy, the Greater Kansas City Interfaith Council, and CRES.

Rev. Will Rucker is the Director of Community Health—Nevada at Intermountain Health, focusing on enhancing mental well-being, healthcare access, and equity. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Religion, a Master in Executive Leadership, and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Public Health at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. With over two decades of experience in ministry and interfaith dialogue, Will is a respected healthcare leader and an influential voice in promoting inclusive cultures through his coaching and speaking business.

His involvement extends to roles with the Charter for Compassion, Compassionate Las Vegas, and the Nevada Minority Health and Equity Coalition. As a URI Global Trustee, Will aims to advance URI’s mission of fostering peace, justice, and healing.

Vanessa Bergmark is the owner and CEO of Red Oak Realty, one of the largest independent real estate brokerages in the San Francisco Bay Area. Originally from Brooklyn, Bergmark moved west after studying crime, law, and justice. Her passion for real estate ignited when she purchased her first home, prompting her to become a licensed agent. She joined Red Oak Realty in 2007 and became the owner three years later. Under her leadership, Red Oak Realty has expanded and the firm now has over 160 agents, four locations. Bergmark is also known for her commitment to sustainability, leading Red Oak to become both green-certified and carbon-neutral , while being deeply involved in charity for her local community. In 2023 she received her Master’s in Law in Conflict Resolution and Mediation from Pepperdine University.

Lijo Chacko is the CEO of Sigachi - Middle East and Africa and a dedicated advocate for social change. As a Trustee of the Tanta Gatha Foundation and an advisor for the Global Equality Alliance, he has been involved in numerous peacebuilding and social initiatives. Lijo played a key role in Global Action on Poverty, creating a network of changemakers and mentors focused on eradicating poverty. His work has spanned various global platforms, including disaster relief efforts and corporate social responsibility projects​. An alumnus of the Institute of Development Studies, UK, he is a member of the Institute of Directors.

Ngnedjou Francoise Foute is an accomplished leader with extensive experience serving as a Trustee and advisor for several organizations. She has played key roles in overseeing strategic initiatives and guiding executive decisions across various industries. Her leadership includes responsibilities in organizational governance and advisory capacities, ensuring operational success and contributing to the growth of the organizations she supports. Francoise’s commitment to excellence and her expertise in strategic planning have made her a valuable asset to the teams and organizations with which she has been involved.

Vincent Leong is a global trainer and entrepreneur with a deep commitment to empowering individuals and organizations through transformative coaching. As a co-founder of the Global Youth Cooperation Circle within the United Religions Initiative (URI), Vincent has contributed to fostering interfaith collaboration and youth leadership across diverse communities. His expertise has earned him invitations to prestigious platforms like Stanford University and the UN-URI Multiregion Leadership Council. With a passion for growth, Vincent continues to mentor startups and lead innovative programs aimed at inspiring positive change, embodying URI’s mission of peace and unity through interfaith dialogue.

Rabbi Michael Shevack has been Director of Communications at the Center for Christian-Jewish Understanding at Sacred Heart University. He taught Spirituality and Comparative Religion in the School of Social Welfare at SUNY Stony Brook, and Business Spirituality at the Iacocca Center for Global Entrepreneurship at Lehigh University. He is the author of six books.

Prior to his ordination, he was a “Mad Man” and created some of the biggest campaigns in the world, including the still-running Gillette, The Best a Man Can Get. Rabbi Shevack is called upon to help religious groups and worthy non-profit organizations create their identities and discover their voices.

Eilda Zaghmout was born in Jordan to a Palestinian refugee family from Beit Jala and moved to Palestine in 1999. She holds a BA in Business Administration and Marketing from Bethlehem University. After working in the business and non-profit sectors for 10 years, she became a certified 200-hour Yoga teacher in 2013 and later completed Level 1, 2 and 95-hour Kids Yoga teacher training with Baptiste Institute. In 2015, Eilda co-founded Beit Ashams, Palestine’s first specialized yoga studio. She is the Head of Meditation at TAWAZON, a Wellness Trainer. A mother of two, passionate about guiding others on journeys of self-discovery.