Dr. Nadia Gerspacher
Dr. Nadia Gerspacher has been contributing to security assistance for over 15 years by conducting academic and applied research, publishing practical tools and guidance, developing and delivering training curricula and facilitating working groups. She pioneered an education and training programme of instruction on advising foreign counterparts and partnered with various advising programmes across the USG to integrate the curriculum into their pre-deployment training, including the Ministry of Defense Advisor (MoDA) programme. She has published widely on how to improve advising missions and mandates and has extensive experience training military and civilian personnel in engaging foreign counterparts for capacity building and has contributed to reflection on strengthening defence and other security institutions by focusing on legitimacy and service orientation. Gerspacher has contributed to various doctrine development processes including Building Partner Capacity (BPC), and Institutional Capacity Building (ICB) at both the national and multinational levels (NATO and UN). She created a programme of instruction and collection of tools for police from Jordan, Pakistan, Northern Ireland, Iraq, Tunisia, Somalia and others to contribute more effectively to their country’s CVE capacity.
Prof. Fabrizio W. Luciolli
President of the Italian Atlantic Committee and former president of the Atlantic Treaty Association (2014-2020), Fabrizio W. Luciolli has been Professor of International Security Organizations, Military Policy, and National Security Policy at the Center for High Defense Studies of the Italian Ministry of Defense (2000-2015). He is a regular lecturer in various national and international, military, and academic institutions. Coordinator of Training Courses for military officers and diplomats in the Western Balkans and Middle East, he is Director and promoter of NATO and EU cooperation projects in Central and Southeastern Europe, and in the Mediterranean region and the Middle East. Prof. Luciolli is also a consultant on foreign affairs and security matters to various Members of Parliament. He is the author of several papers and articles published in national and foreign journals.
Ms. Susan Pond
Ms. Pond is the newly appointed Director of the Glendon School of Public and International Affairs at York University. She brings more than 30 years’ experience working with international organisations (in Belgium, Ukraine and USA) and the federal government (Canadian Coast Guard). She has a unique combination of skills, experience, passion for progress and transformation. Her career accomplishments showcase fresh insight and innovation as well as her commitment to strengthening governance, accountability, and policy development. She has served as a trusted advisor to senior leaders. She has a leadership style that is collaborative and results-oriented. She inspires individuals to excellence. Ms. Pond has excellent networking and negotiation skills, working closely with nations, civil society and international organisations. While at NATO, Ms. Pond delivered programs aimed at transforming and strengthening democratic institutions in Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia. She enjoys a challenge and has a proven track record in resolving complex problems. Her pioneering efforts resulted in Heads of State endorsing the first ever NATO policy on good governance (Building Integrity). She applied similar out of the box thinking in preparing nations for NATO membership. She was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal for outstanding public service. In 2019 the Governor General of Canada presented the Canadian Meritorious Service Cross to Ms. Pond; this honour granted by the Monarch “recognises great Canadians for exceptional deeds that bring honour to our country”.