THE SECRETARIAT
The APP Secretariat was established in Geneva in 2008 to support Panel members in their outreach and public advocacy work. It also publishes a fortnightly news Bulletin; and action-oriented Policy Briefs and Information notes on topical and timely issues.
Michael Keating
Executive Director
Michael Keating (UK) has been the Executive Director of the Africa Progress Panel since July 2008. Prior to that he worked for the United Nations, most recently as UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Representative in Malawi. In addition to other UN assignments in New York, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Gaza and Jerusalem his career has included ten years in the private sector in publishing, television and communications consultancy. He was born in Uganda, studied History at Cambridge University, is married and has four daughters.
Violaine has worked in development and communications in the public, private, and non‐profit sectors. Before joining the Africa Progress Panel, she was a researcher for Femmes Africa Solidarité and prior to that the Linguistic Attachée and Head of EduFrance at the French Embassy in Bangkok. She holds a Master’s degree in Education and IT from the University of Lille III and an MBA in management of International Organizations from the University of Geneva. She is also the co-founder of Hungry Man Books that publishes satires on international development.
Sandra is currently a research intern at the Africa Progress Panel. Prior to joining the APP, Sandra was working for the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Nairobi, Kenya, with project development and implementation of projects in the areas of migration and human trafficking. She has previously worked for the International Labour Organization (ILO) under their International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour, and has special expertise in labour market systems, worker’s rights and trade unionism. Sandra holds a Master’s degree in Political Science with a focus on Industrial Relations from the University of Gothenburg, Sweden.
Benedikt is a policy officer at the Africa Progress Panel and the Kofi Annan Foundation. He is also a fellow at the University of Oxford and has previously worked for the German Ministry of Defense and the European Union Military Liaison Office to the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. He holds a PhD from the University of Cambridge and an MA from the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies.
Dawda joined the APP as Head of Research and Policy Coordination in March 2009. Prior to that he was a research associate at the Conflict, Security & Development Group of King’s College London. He has previously worked for a risk analysis firm in London, taught at both university and secondary level, as well as worked for the United Nations in Liberia and as a consultant. Dawda was born in Nairobi to a Gambian father and Argentine mother, holds a master’s degree in War Studies from King’s College London, and is married with a son.
Temitayo joined the Africa Progress Panel in October 2008. A Nigerian national, she previously worked at the International Bureau of Education (IBE/UNESCO) as a Program Assistant under the HIV/AIDS Cross-cutting Program and as a Consultant for UNIDO. Temitayo holds a master’s degree in Political Science from Fordham University, is a volunteer for ICVolunteers and is married with 2 children.
Carolina is the Communications and Partnerships Manager at the Africa Progress Panel. Previously, she worked for the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean in Chile and more recently as a Web Content Editor and Manager for UNDP in New York. She has also worked as a consultant for various private, public and international organizations including the European Union. She is a trained Architect with master’s degree in Urban Development from the Pontificia Universidad Católica in Chile. She is married and has two daughters.
