Global Advisory Board
We Deliver Experience
Since its inception, the service delivery standards and vision of GBPG have attracted a globally accomplished Advisory Board comprised of leaders and champions in their respective fields. GBPG Advisory Board Members offer a broad array of knowledge and practical expertise, alongside remarkable achievements in economic, development and social sectors. They hail from a diverse range of cultural and academic backgrounds representing GPBG core belief, in diversity there is strength. In this context, the Advisory Board is unified around a concerted drive to deliver improved and sustained social and global living standard advances together with our partners.
The Advisory Board provides GBPG with guidance to ensure institutional agility at strategic, programmatic and operational levels. Collectively, the Advisory Board lends keen oversight and supervisory balance to effectively implement projects and partnerships, thus ensuring quality services are backed by sound ideas, principles, ethics, research, and real experience.
Arjun Thapan
Water Supply and Sanitation
Arjun has worked on domestic water supply challenges in low-income countries for over 35 years, and is an innovator and thought-leader in global water and sanitation policy. He authored the “Water Policy” of the Asian Development Bank, led its Water Community of Practice, and served as Director General of its SE Asia Department. He also served as Senior Advisor to Asian Development Bank’s President for Infrastructure and Water. Arjun chaired the World Economic Forum’s Global Council on Water Security.He is currently a Senior Advisor for Asian Development Finance at the World Food Programme.
Gareth Newman CBE
Education
Gareth is a leading Welsh educator, innovator, and policy advisor who was awarded a CBE (Commander of the British Empire) for his longstanding, worldwide services in education. He lectures on education issues worldwide, and has advised the United Kingdom Government Department of Education for multiple Prime Ministers. Gareth also served as Special Advisor at the Government Department of Education in Whitehall, London and chaired the prestigious Curriculum Committee of the Welsh Joint Education Committee.
Jason Blazakis
Global Security and Counter - Terrorism
Jason is the Director of Middlebury Institute of International Studies’ Centre on Terrorism, Extremism and Counterterrorism. He previously was Director of the Counterterrorism Finance and Designations Office at the U.S State Department. Jason served at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan with the State Department’s Political Military Affairs, International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, and Intelligence and Research Bureaus. Jason is a leading contributor and expert on global security and terrorism for major global media including NBC News, CNN and the Washington Post.
Arjun Thapan
Water Supply and Sanitation
Arjun has worked on domestic water supply challenges in low-income countries for over 35 years, and is an innovator and thought-leader in global water and sanitation policy. He authored the “Water Policy” of the Asian Development Bank, led its Water Community of Practice, and served as Director General of its SE Asia Department. He also served as Senior Advisor to Asian Development Bank’s President for Infrastructure and Water. Arjun chaired the World Economic Forum’s Global Council on Water Security.He is currently a Senior Advisor for Asian Development Finance at the World Food Programme.
Gareth Newman CBE
Education
Gareth is a leading Welsh educator, innovator, and policy advisor who was awarded a CBE (Commander of the British Empire) for his longstanding, worldwide services in education. He lectures on education issues worldwide, and has advised the United Kingdom Government Department of Education for multiple Prime Ministers. Gareth also served as Special Advisor at the Government Department of Education in Whitehall, London and chaired the prestigious Curriculum Committee of the Welsh Joint Education Committee.
Jason Blazakis
Global Security and Counter - Terrorism
Jason is the Director of Middlebury Institute of International Studies’ Centre on Terrorism, Extremism and Counterterrorism. He previously was Director of the Counterterrorism Finance and Designations Office at the U.S State Department. Jason served at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan with the State Department’s Political Military Affairs, International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, and Intelligence and Research Bureaus. Jason is a leading contributor and expert on global security and terrorism for major global media including NBC News, CNN and the Washington Post.
Miriam Seemann
Climate Change Adaptation
Miriam has deep expertise in climate resilient water management, and currently coordinates a multibillion dollar “resilient landscapes” project in Bolivia’s Highlands, co-funded with the EU, and Germany’s BMZ. Miriam previously worked in GTZ, EU, and Swiss -supported cooperation activities featuring technical and financial assistance, and management support. She has extensive climate knowledge of Latin America based on lengthy implementation experiences in Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Mexico and Guatemala. and through her Ph.D in Andean Water Rights, from the University of Hamburg.
Miriam Seemann
Climate Change Adaptation
Miriam has deep expertise in climate resilient water management, and currently coordinates a multibillion dollar “resilient landscapes” project in Bolivia’s Highlands, co-funded with the EU, and Germany’s BMZ. Miriam previously worked in GTZ, EU, and Swiss -supported cooperation activities featuring technical and financial assistance, and management support. She has extensive climate knowledge of Latin America based on lengthy implementation experiences in Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Mexico and Guatemala. and through her Ph.D in Andean Water Rights, from the University of Hamburg.
Michelle Karolak
Public Health and Disease Control
Michelle is a public health expert and epidemiologist with 30 years of experience leading a wide range of technical and humanitarian assistance programs. Her focus has been on HIV management, tuberculosis control, food security, refugee resettlement and public health intervention evaluation. In coordination with the US and South Africa she successfully led Project Phidisa, a 5-year clinical research project studying HIV/AIDS management and treatment with the US health institutions and the South African military. The project helped prevent HIV transmission among South African military and civilian employees.
Robert O’Brien
International Trade and Finance
Robert brings 40-plus years of advisory work with blue-chip financial corporations, and is an expert on global development finance. He served as Managing Director for the Global Mining and Foreign Privatizations Division of Salomon Brothers, Canada, and was also responsible for new business generation in investment banking. Robert has advised governments in Kosovo, Nigeria, South Africa, Indonesia, Egypt and the Maldives in complex financial system reforms. He’s a leading global expert in leveraged buyouts, and restructuring infrastructure services of energy, mining and metals, oil and gas, telecoms, transport, and capital markets, including debt, equity, and structured financing.
Michelle Karolak
Public Health and Disease Control
Michelle is a public health expert and epidemiologist with 30 years of experience leading a wide range of technical and humanitarian assistance programs. Her focus has been on HIV management, tuberculosis control, food security, refugee resettlement and public health intervention evaluation. In coordination with the US and South Africa she successfully led Project Phidisa, a 5-year clinical research project studying HIV/AIDS management and treatment with the US health institutions and the South African military. The project helped prevent HIV transmission among South African military and civilian employees.
Robert O’Brien
International Trade and Finance
Robert brings 40-plus years of advisory work with blue-chip financial corporations, and is an expert on global development finance. He served as Managing Director for the Global Mining and Foreign Privatizations Division of Salomon Brothers, Canada, and was also responsible for new business generation in investment banking. Robert has advised governments in Kosovo, Nigeria, South Africa, Indonesia, Egypt and the Maldives in complex financial system reforms. He’s a leading global expert in leveraged buyouts, and restructuring infrastructure services of energy, mining and metals, oil and gas, telecoms, transport, and capital markets, including debt, equity, and structured financing.
Seán Walsh
International Organization Reform
Seán has served in senior management positions at the U.N.’s International Atomic Energy Agency and Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Organization and International Criminal Court for over three decades. He was instrumental in the administrative reform of the International Criminal Court and has been a key facilitator in promoting effective participation of civil society groups in development activities and good governance in several developing countries.
Shibani Thambiayah
Travel Industry and Tourism
Shibani is a leading figure in the Sri Lankan tourism industry with over 20 years experience shaping and guiding the local tourist sector on innovative hotel trends. She serves as a member of the Managing Committee of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, a Board Member of the Sri Lankan Conventions Bureau, and the Vice President of the Colombo City Tourist Hotels Association. She served as the Director of DFCC Vardhana Bank and later was appointed to the Board of DFCC Bank. Currently, Shibani is the Executive Chairperson of Renuka Hotels, Sri Lanka.
Muhamed Catic
Agriculture and Food Security
Muhamed is a strategic advisor with vast business experience in the Middle East, East Asia, and Central Europe. His specialties include business development, innovation and technology management and public outreach. Building on 20 years as Group Director for International Development at IFFCO, Mohammed serves as senior advisor to the Board of IFFCO, a multinational enterprise based in the UAE that manufacturers and markets processed foods and agro-commodities. IFFCO operates in 37 counties, employs over 12,000 employees, and earned sales of US$9.5 billion in 2021.
Seán Walsh
International Organization Reform
Seán has served in senior management positions at the U.N.’s International Atomic Energy Agency and Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Organization and International Criminal Court for over three decades. He was instrumental in the administrative reform of the International Criminal Court and has been a key facilitator in promoting effective participation of civil society groups in development activities and good governance in several developing countries.
Shibani Thambiayah
Travel Industry and Tourism
Shibani is a leading figure in the Sri Lankan tourism industry with over 20 years experience shaping and guiding the local tourist sector on innovative hotel trends. She serves as a member of the Managing Committee of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, a Board Member of the Sri Lankan Conventions Bureau, and the Vice President of the Colombo City Tourist Hotels Association. She served as the Director of DFCC Vardhana Bank and later was appointed to the Board of DFCC Bank. Currently, Shibani is the Executive Chairperson of Renuka Hotels, Sri Lanka.
