Executive Board

Dave Rice | President

Dave is a visionary leader dedicated to promoting human rights and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) globally and in Orange County. With a 35-year career in the technology industry (strategy, marketing, sales, growth) at IBM, Comdisco, and GOALS Unlimited, Dave is deeply experienced.

For 40 years, he has actively contributed to the Orange County community. Dave serves on the boards of the World Affairs Council (OC chapter), League of Minority Voters (California chapter), Freethought Society, and SoCal Secular Coalition.

He is a member of Congressman Mike Levin's Special Task Force on Nuclear Waste at the San Onofre Nuclear Plant and the Founder/Commissioner of the West Coast Adult Soccer League (800 members). As a continuous volunteer for organizations like AYSO and the Kiwanis Club, Dave shows his commitment to community service. With his visionary leadership, Dave advocates for human rights, SDGs, and the well-being of Orange County.   

Helene Reola | Treasurer

Helene is a distinguished healthcare executive with over a decade of experience in the industry. Having worked in renowned hospitals such as Cedars-Sinai, Kaiser Permanente, Children’s Hospital of Orange County, and City of Hope, she has garnered a reputation for her executive prowess and commitment to patient care.

Helene holds degrees/certifications from Harvard Business School, and Harvard Law and is a pre-medical professional from Harvard Medical School. Currently, she is completing her J.D in healthcare law and international law expected at Oxford while continuing her lifelong educational journey mentoring, educating and engaging volunteers in her hometown of California.

As the Co-founder of SIA (Sustainable Impact Alliance) a non-profit organization & SIAS (Sustainable Impact Alliance Solutions) International for-profit (Business for Good Corporation) a UN Local 2030 SDG Goals initiative platform, she actively contributes to sustaining the goals and making a positive difference in communities worldwide.

Beyond her professional endeavors, Helene has actively engaged in philanthropy, collaborating with non-profit and for profit organizations (partnering with B corps) to raise funds for various causes, including supporting the homeless, Make-A-Wish Foundation, UNICEF, Harvard Graduate Student Government, USAID, and the American Red Cross. She is a passionate advocate for global health especially in the area of mental health and has worked closely with the United Nations and the Local United Nations Association, leveraging her expertise to incorporate the UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into projects aimed at driving positive change and improved outcomes worldwide.

Helene's commitment to making a lasting impact on healthcare extends beyond organizational boundaries. With a focus on operational excellence and strategic growth, she has overseen critical areas such as finance, human resources, legal matters, government affairs, compliance, IT, and facility management. Her unwavering dedication to patient care and experience has shaped her career, and she strives to improve access to care, advocate for human rights, build preventative care cancer clinics in rural areas, enhance resource allocation efficiency, and foster innovation and technology adoption in the pursuit of better health and well-being for all.

Nisreen | UNA-OC Women’s Affinity group Chair & Vice President

Nisreen is an activist and certified life coach focused on bridging Eastern and Western cultures by promoting awareness of Islam and Arab culture. Her goal is to empower women through dialogue on topics like marriage, self-esteem, parenting, and personal growth. Originally from Palestine, she moved to the US in 1979 and became more active in public education after September 11.

Passionate about art and culture, Nisreen lectures on Palestinian women and embroidery to college students and institutions interested in the arts. She also arranges museum visits to foster an appreciation for Islamic Art History.

Nisreen collaborated with the Muslim Public Affairs Council to train Transportation Security Administration officers at Los Angeles International Airport, providing cultural insights for improved security protocols.

Her work has been featured in newspapers and magazines such as the Los Angeles Times and she has received awards for her volunteerism, including the Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition and the Paul Harris Fellow.

Rima Nashashibi | Advocacy Co-Chair

Rima@GlobalHope365.org

Rima Nashashibi, Founder and President of Global Hope 365 is an internationally recognized speaker, political leader, and activist with over 20 years of experience. She is dedicated to ending harmful practices towards women and girls, such as child marriage and human trafficking.

Rima has delivered speeches and conducted seminars worldwide, promoting openness, equality, and justice for all. She trained women in Saudi Arabia on running for office, contributed to legislation against child marriage, and organized advocacy summits and survivor stories. Rima has received numerous awards, including the Women's Leadership Award, Congressional Certificate of Special Recognition, Angels Against Human Trafficking Award, and recognition in media outlets. She is highly esteemed in the community, with accolades such as being listed in OC's top 125 most influential people and winning Inspirational Woman of the Year. Rima's impactful work has made a lasting difference in the fight against gender-based violence.

Kristin Manna | Governmental Affairs Ambassador

Kristin is a versatile professional with expertise in communications, media, politics, and advocacy. With a degree in Communications and a master's program from UCLA, she currently serves as the Director of Media & Public Relations at Competitive Edge Advisory Group. Her background in film editing and podcast production highlights her strong storytelling abilities.

In the political arena, Kristin has worked on various campaigns, held leadership positions at the Republican National Committee, and actively promotes voter outreach and election integrity. As the Governmental Affairs Ambassador for the United Nations Association, Orange County, she fosters global cooperation and engagement.

Committed to social causes, Kristin serves on the board of Global Hope 365, a nonprofit organization dedicated to combatting human trafficking and child marriage. Alongside her professional endeavors, she finds fulfillment in her role as a devoted wife and mother of three accomplished adult children. Kristin's diverse experiences and dedication make her a valuable asset in driving positive change.

Essraa Nawar
nawar@chapman.edu

Essraa is a visionary leader at Chapman University's Leatherby Libraries. She has transformed diversity within the library, creating a groundbreaking Diversity Statement and Plan, resulting in the library receiving the first-ever Diversity Award.

Essraa has curated over 50 diverse exhibitions and actively engages in scholarly activities. She delivered a popular TEDx talk on fostering inclusivity in a diverse world. She adopts a holistic and organic approach to diversity. Additionally, Essraa spearheaded the library's Marketing and Fundraising Strategy, earning prestigious awards and raising over $5 million for community engagement.

She is a prominent advocate for women's empowerment, having been invited by the Egyptian Government to participate in a women's conference and recognized as one of the top 30 Egyptian women abroad. She is an interfaith advocate and promotes peaceful coexistence through her #changethenarrative campaign. Her influence and accomplishments have garnered recognition, including being named one of California's Women of Influence and one of Orange County's 125 Most Influential People.

Sarwat Chowdhury, Climate Change Ambassador

Sarwat grew up in Bangladesh and has worked on climate change, gender and inclusion, and sustainable development for over 20 years across six continents. She has a Ph.D. in Environmental Policy from the University of Maryland, College Park, a Sustainability Certificate from UCLA, an MA from Baylor University, and a BA from Berea College.

Dr Chowdhury is an experienced Policy Advisor, Strategic Planner, Program Manager, Thought leader, and Economist with demonstrated expertise in Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation, Climate Justice, Renewables Energy, ESG Reporting, Inclusive Blue, Green, & Regenerative Economy, Disaster and Natural Resource Management, Waste Management, and Sustainable Forestry with over 25 peer-reviewed publications in academic journals and co-authored multiple World Bank and UNDP, UNEP, and UNFCCC reports on these matters. Sarwat participated in and co-organized UNDP side events at the 2012 Rio+20 Conference in Brazil and successive High-Level Political Forum(HLPF)s in NY and presented at successive UNFCCC Climate COPs (Marrakech, Madrid, and Glasgow), Climate Vulnerable Forum (Dhaka), World Circular Economy Forums (Yokohama and Helsinki), and other international conferences.

Sarwat has worked in intergovernmental engagement with various United Nations agencies, donors, and government partners and has worked for the World Bank based in Washington, DC, and for the UNDP based in NY, Bangladesh, Vietnam, South Korea, and Papua New Guinea. Dr. Chowdhury has managed environmental projects and advised on sustainability policy in Africa, Asia Pacific, Eastern Europe, and Central and South America. She also has a background in the nonprofit sector and has worked for Grameen Bank, Greenpeace, Save the Children, SciDev UK, Bread for the World, and the World Federalist Association and has traveled for work to over 45 countries.

Sarwat loves spending time with her family. She is currently focused on climate justice, inclusion, and social and environmental sustainability work in southern California.

Sara Balkh

Human Rights Ambassador

Sara Balkh embarked on her journey in Iran, where she cultivated a deep understanding of law, human rights, and international relations. With over a decade of multifaceted experience as an attorney, human rights expert, and educator, Sara has steadfastly devoted herself to the pursuit of justice and the advancement of cross-cultural understanding. Founding the Sara Balkh Law Firm in her homeland, Sara distinguished herself by providing exceptional legal counsel, specializing in cases of domestic violence, and tirelessly championing women’s rights. Her unwavering dedication to upholding human rights principles led to numerous victories in cases of social justice and gender equality during her illustrious 10-year tenure.

In addition to her professional achievements, Sara is deeply committed to education, having served as a university instructor in her country. Through her role, she imparted her wealth of knowledge in international law, nurturing the next generation of legal minds.

Driven by her passion for human rights and international law, Sara transitioned to serving as a Human Rights Expert in her homeland. In this capacity, she authored statements for Human Rights Council sessions and offered invaluable legal guidance on matters concerning Islamic human rights issues.

Sara’s academic journey exemplifies her pursuit of excellence, culminating in the attainment of a Ph.D. in International Law from the esteemed University of Tehran. Her scholarly contributions are extensive, including a published book, three book chapters, a booklet, and over ten journal and conference publications. These accomplishments underscore her profound dedication to advancing legal discourse and human rights scholarship.

Upon relocating to the United States, Sara seamlessly continued her impactful work, assuming the role of Director & Board Member, Human Rights Ambassador at the United Nations Association of Orange County (UNA-OC). Here, she actively contributes to initiatives aligned with human rights and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), advocating for societal awareness and empowerment through education.

Guided by an unwavering dedication to justice and human rights, Sara Balkh epitomizes a tireless advocate for transformative partnerships and equitable legal frameworks on a global scale.

Catherine Real

Dr. Real, with a 26-year education career, prioritizes equitable access to college and career opportunities. Starting as a French teacher, and counselor, she became the first female Principal in Diamond Bar High School’s history. At Monrovia Unified School District, as Director of Counseling, College, & Careers, she earned the 2019 Golden Bell Award for developing a model Early College program. She came to Vista Charter Public Schools in 2021 as the Principal of Vista Meridian Global Academy where she focused on preparing students in Santa Ana to become leaders in global issues. Dr. Real has transitioned to the role of district Director of Counseling, College, & Career at Vista Charter Public Schools, where her work focuses on creating Early College opportunities, creating a college-going environment, and helping students develop global leadership.

Her educational journey includes UCLA, CSU Fullerton, Azusa Pacific University, and USC, with her doctoral research emphasizing student engagement through career technical education.

Kamal Sharma

YP Chair

“With access to powerful knowledge, we can all innovate and improve the world. As a result, living in a world of easy accessibility of transformational knowledge & information, sky is the limit and nothing should hold anyone back to innovate, simplify and make our world a better place. I believe in constant learning, being curious, and holding on to positive attitude to help us solve challenging problems our world faces.”

Kamal Sharma first started in 2017 with UNA-USA as a volunteer and is the current Director of Technology, Young Professionals and Youth Engagement wing of the chapter. He leads the young professional and works on the technical vision of the chapter to be on the cutting -edge. He holds a Bachelor of Technology in Computer Science and is passionate about technology, mentoring and coaching. In August 2023 he completed a Certification course in “Designing And Building AI products and Services” from MIT, USA. He is also a member of other distinguished organizations such as IEEE and Computer Society. Kamal likes to read across diverse set of topics ranging from Computers & Technology, IEEE and Computer Society Journals to History, Climate Change, Geo Politics, Economics, Finance & Investments. Reach out for to Kamal at director-technology@una-oc.org or youngprofessionals@una-oc.org

Dr Jae Choi

Dr. Jae Choi is a board-certified periodontist and native of Southern California.  She is a graduate of Cornell University, where she excelled in research as a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Research Scholar. She has worked at the USC’s Center for Craniofacial Molecular Biology and has lectured at the USC Keck School of Medicine. Dr. Choi has continued her contribution to science and medicine through her publications in renowned peer-reviewed journals including Development, Developmental Biology, and the American Journal of Pathology.

Dr. Choi earned her DDS degree and completed her residency training in periodontology at the UCLA school of Dentistry. As president of the UCLA American Student Dental Association, she led delegations that lobbied congress on behalf of dental professionals, as well as for patient health and wellness. Dr. Choi also volunteered with the USC mobile dental clinic for many years.  In 2010, she was recipient of the Robert L. Merin Leadership Award from the California Society of Periodontists.

Dr. Choi’s involvement with the UNA stems from her desire to understand the problems that affect her community and to be part of the solution. Over 20 years ago, she set up a volunteer pipeline where college students and NGOs could work together to tackle poverty and promote health and education in Philadelphia. This partnership still thrives today.  Dr. Choi enjoys working with the UNA and with her community to promote the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.