Shamala Kandiah Thompson
(Singapore) is the Executive Director at Security Council Report (SCR). A seasoned international affairs and public policy expert with a distinguished career spanning diplomacy, think tank leadership, and media management, since 2016 Kandiah has held several positions of progressive responsibility at SCR prior to assuming her current role, including Chief Operating Officer, Deputy Executive Director, and Associate Director. In these roles, she was instrumental in overseeing financial operations, donor relations, conceptualising major research initiatives, and representing SCR in high-level discussions. In addition, she has led SCR’s capacity-building efforts for incoming and aspiring elected members of the Council. She has worked with the Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta. She has also worked as a journalist: in television in Singapore, as a newspaper foreign correspondent in New York and as a media and communications consultant and trainer. Ms. Thompson holds a Bachelor of Social Sciences and Bachelor of Arts degrees from the National University of Singapore and a Master of International Affairs from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs.
Katerina Limenopolou
(Greece) joined Security Council Report as Chief Operating Officer (COO) in November 2024. She oversees SCR’s operations, ensuring alignment with its mission and strategy, while also contributing to its research and editorial work. With over 16 years of experience in the UN system, Katerina has held leadership roles such as Chief of the Peacebuilding Commission Branch at UN Headquarters and Head of UNMIK’s Political Office in Pristina. Her diverse background spans the private, NGO, and multilateral sectors, with expertise in operations, budgeting, human resources, communications, and research supporting political and security mandates. At the UN, she led multidisciplinary teams, managed organisational transitions, and advanced gender equality initiatives. Katerina holds an MPhil in Development Studies from the University of Cambridge, an MSc in Psychology from The Open University, and is completing a Master’s in Creative Writing and Literature at Harvard Extension School.
Paul Romita
(United States) joined Security Council Report in September 2011. As Managing Editor, he oversees all SCR publications, including What’s in Blue, the Monthly Forecast, and thematic research reports. From 2017-2020 he was the Editor of What’s in Blue. He is also responsible for covering Israel and Palestine, conflict prevention, climate change, and emerging issues. Mr. Romita previously worked as a policy analyst in the State Fragility and Peacebuilding program at the International Peace Institute. He also has several years of experience in the communications and fundraising field. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Trinity College (Connecticut), a Master of International Affairs from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs, and PhD in International Affairs from CUNY Graduate Center.
Alina Entelis
(Ukraine, Israel) joined Security Council Report in December 2019. As Deputy Managing Editor-What’s in Blue, she oversees and coordinates the day-to-day editorial functions of What’s in Blue. In addition, she is responsible for covering Afghanistan, Lebanon, Colombia, and Venezuela, as well as Children and Armed Conflict and Youth, Peace and Security. Prior to SCR, Ms. Entelis served as a political advisor at the Permanent Mission of Israel to the UN. She has also previously worked at the National Security Council at the office of the Prime Minister of Israel. Ms. Entelis holds a bachelor’s degree in Politics, Economics, and Philosophy (PEP) from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and a master’s degree in International History from Columbia University and the London School of Economics.
Dawit Yirga
(Ethiopia) joined Security Council Report in April 2021. Prior to this, he was an Ethiopian career diplomat with nearly two decades of experience. He worked on bilateral and multilateral matters, including following closely the work of the African Union and the United Nations. He served in Ethiopia’s embassies in Beijing and Tokyo as well as its Permanent Missions to the African Union and the United Nations, in Addis Ababa and New York, respectively. Most recently, Mr. Yirga served as Director for Neighboring Countries Affairs, Director-General for Asia and Pacific Affairs, and Director-General for International Organizations at the Foreign Office Headquarters in Addis Ababa. Career highlights include Ethiopia’s Chairmanship of the African Union in 2013 and its membership of the Security Council in 2017-2018; Mr Dawit was involved in supporting Ethiopia’s effective discharge of the responsibilities of these roles. Mr. Yirga has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science and International Relations from Addis Ababa University and a Master’s degree in Governance and Development from the University of Antwerp, Belgium.
Vladimir Sesar
(Bosnia and Herzegovina, United States) joined SCR in October 2013. As Development and Outreach Manager, he is responsible for overseeing SCR’s external outreach, including promotional material, social media, publications, and support for capacity development activities. His current research portfolio includes UN Security Council Elections. Prior to joining SCR, Mr. Sesar served as a Policy Advisor at the Permanent Mission of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the UN. Mr. Sesar holds a Master of International Affairs from Pennsylvania State University and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Drake University.
Sara Bertotti
(Italy) joined Security Council Report in July 2021. She is responsible for covering the Security Council Women, Peace and Security agenda, Israel and Palestine, Lebanon and Ethiopia. Prior to Security Council Report, Ms. Bertotti was a Doctoral Researcher at the School of Law of SOAS University of London where her research focused on peace agreements, law and emancipatory sociopolitical change. At SOAS, her research and teaching work also concentrated on international law and gender. Ms. Bertotti also worked in Ireland in the Human Rights Unit of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and accumulated work experience with Amnesty International Ireland and the Geneva-based NGO, UPR Info. Ms. Bertotti holds a bachelor’s degree (Laurea) in International Studies and a master’s degree (Laurea Magistrale) in International Relations and Diplomatic Affairs, both from the University of Bologna, as well as a PhD in Law from SOAS University of London.
Matthew Blainey
(Australia) joined Security Council Report as a Policy Analyst in June 2021. He is responsible for covering Afghanistan, Myanmar, North Korea (DPRK), the UNRCCA (Central Asia), counter-terrorism, conflict prevention, the ICC, the rule of law, and other legal issues. Prior to joining SCR, he worked as a lawyer and Senior Associate in the litigation departments of two leading international law firms and served as a judicial associate at the Supreme Court of Victoria. He also worked with a human rights NGO based in New York City, where he was responsible for developing and implementing its climate change strategy. Mr. Blainey holds a Master of Laws in International Legal Studies from NYU School of Law, as well as a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and a Bachelor of International Relations from La Trobe University. While at NYU, he was a Human Rights Scholar at the Center for Human Rights and Global Justice. In this role, he researched and wrote about conflict prevention and human rights-based climate change litigation. He is an admitted lawyer in Australia and New York.
Erik Ramberg
(Norway) joined Security Council Report as a Policy Analyst in February 2023. His portfolio includes Haiti, Libya, Iran, Iraq, protection of civilians, and sanctions. Prior to joining SCR, Mr. Ramberg served as a Policy Adviser at the Permanent Mission of Norway to the UN during the country’s term as an elected member of the Security Council (2021-22). Previously, he worked as a paralegal at the New York-based immigration law firm Daryanani Law Group, and he has also interned at Oxford University Press and the educational non-profit Literacy Partners. Mr. Ramberg holds a B.A. (cum laude) in political science and English from Columbia University, and an MPhil in peace and conflict studies from the University of Oslo. For his graduate degree, he wrote his dissertation on the UN human rights architecture as a research fellow at the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI).
Gaurav Redhal
(India) joined Security Council Report in June 2023. As a Policy Analyst, he is responsible for covering Sudan, South Sudan, Abyei, Syria, Western Sahara, Golan, and Security Council Reform. Previously, he worked with SCR as a Research Assistant, where he handled a similar portfolio and was also responsible for providing research support to other policy analysts. Prior to SCR, he worked with the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations, assisting on sanctions and counter-terrorism, Afghanistan, Libya, and Mali. Mr. Redhal is an admitted lawyer in India and holds a Master of Laws (LLM) in International Law and Legal Studies from Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, as well as a Bachelor of Laws from the Army Institute of Law, India.
Audrey Waysse
(United States) joined Security Council Report in January 2016 as Operations Manager after providing consulting services since October 2012. She is responsible for the organisation’s finance and budget operations, office administration, human resources, and IT and site management. In her prior career in the affordable housing sector, she was involved in all facets of housing development from finance and construction to management. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Consumer Sciences from Colorado State University and a master’s in Management and Urban Policy from The New School.
Rodrigo Saad
(Brazil) joined Security Council Report in June 2021. As a Policy Analyst, he is responsible for covering European issues on the Council’s agenda, including Armenia/Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cyprus, Georgia, Kosovo, and Ukraine. He also covers cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. Prior to SCR, he conducted research on conflict prevention, human rights, peacebuilding and sustaining peace at the International Peace Institute, the Universal Rights Group, and the International Crisis Group. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Affairs from the University of Delaware and a Master of Arts degree in Political Science from the Graduate Center.
Anna Haven
(United States) joined Security Council Report in April 2019. As Communications Officer, she oversees SCR’s digital strategy and presence, ensuring the organization’s content reaches its audiences effectively. She leads the Quality Control process, managing fact-checking, copy-editing, and the preparation of SCR’s Monthly Forecasts, research reports, and What’s in Blue articles for both web and print publication. Additionally, she provides coverage on human rights issues, including the work of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the actions of the Human Rights Council. Before joining SCR, she was a Policy Research Fellow at the NGO Working Group on Women, Peace, and Security. She holds a Master of Arts in International Affairs with a concentration in Conflict and Security from The New School and graduated magna cum laude in History from Hunter College.
Abdulkadir Abdella
(Ethiopia) joined the Security Council Report (SCR) in May 2024. He was a career Foreign Service Officer, representing Ethiopia at the Permanent Missions to the AU in Addis Ababa and the UN in Geneva. As a research intern at SCR, his responsibilities include providing research support to analysts, assisting in the production of SCR reports, proofreading, and fact-checking publications. He also assists on human rights and legal affairs. He holds a Bachelor of Laws from Saint Mary University. He also holds a Master of Laws in US Law from the University of Saint Thomas, Minnesota, and a Master of Laws specialising in International and Comparative Law from Columbia Law School. He also has a Post Graduate Diploma in Diplomacy and International Relations from the Ethiopian Foreign Service Training Institute.
Lanxin Li
(China) joined Security Council Report in May 2024. As a research intern, she is responsible for providing research support to SCR’s analysts, assisting in producing SCR reports, proofreading, and fact-checking publications. She also helps cover human rights and the actions of the OHCHR. Prior to joining SCR, she was a political affairs intern at the UN DPPA in New York and a journalism intern at Southern Weekly in China. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and History from Vanderbilt University and a Master of Arts in East Asia Regional Studies from Columbia University.
