IFA Representatives to the UN

At the United Nations, through its general consultative status, IFA is proud to be represented by a thoughtful experienced group of professionals that are respected for their commitment and ‘ready for action’ philosophy and tireless representation and advocacy at the missions, capitals and across sectors.

In New York, Dr. Cynthia Stuen is IFA’s Main Representative for the team, comprising Ms. Adriane Berg, Ms. Valerie Levy, Mr. James O’Neal, Dr. Sandra Timmerman, and Ms. Frances Zainoeddin. In Geneva, the IFA is represented by Dr Kelly Fitzgerald, Dr Xenia Scheil-Adlung, and Dr. Alejandro Bonilla Garcia, and by Dr Jaqueline Stark in Vienna.

New York

Dr. Cynthia Stuen, New York Dr Cynthia Stuen is the Main Representative to the United Nations on behalf of the IFA. She is currently the Chair of the NGO Committee on Ageing (New York), having served as vice chair from 2015-2019. She was co-chair of the International Day of Older Persons 2015 event at the UN... View Profile

Ms. Valerie L. Levy, New York Valerie L. Levy has more than 45 years of experience and leadership in the field of ageing in the public sector. At present she represents IFA at the United Nations (since 2003) in New York as a member of the UN NGO Committee on Ageing (COA). View Profile

Dr. Sandra Timmerman, New York Dr Sandra Timmermann is a Representative to the United Nations for the International Federation on Ageing and writes the IFA blog, “Live from New York.” She is on the Executive Committee as Recording Secretary for the NGO Committee on Ageing, NY and chaired the 2017 International Day of Older Persons... View Profile

Ms. Frances Zainoeddin, New York Ms Frances Zainoeddin left Australia in 1970 to work at the United Nations, New York – initially in the Population Division of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs – and ended her career, 31 years later, as Deputy Budget Director of the United Nations Programme Planning and Budget Division... View Profile

Ms. Adriane Berg, New York Adriane Berg is a unique voice in the world of aging, bringing the public together with professionals in all fields related to aging and longevity and connecting professionals to break down silos of expertise. Her work in media has earned her an Emmy for hosting IRS Tax Beat, the Mature Media Award for her podcast, Generation Bold: The Fountain of Truth, and many guest appearances. View Profile

Geneva

Dr. Kelly Fitzgerald, Geneva Dr Kelly Fitzgerald has a Master of Science and PhD in Gerontology from the University of Massachusetts Boston and a Master of Public Administration from Georgia State University. Currently she is a Graduate Faculty member at Western Kentucky University where she teaches online graduate and undergraduate gerontology courses and supports various research projects. View Profile

Dr. Xenia Scheil-Adlung, Geneva Dr Xenia Scheil-Adlung is an Expert on Global Health and Long-Term Care Policies. She has a long-standing career and expertise in advising governments, the UN and other international organizations, NGOs and academic institutions and focuses on rights-based social protection policies and related socio-economic impacts at global, regional and national levels. View Profile

Dr. Alejandro Bonilla-Garcia Dr. Alejandro Bonilla-Garcia has built a distinguished career focusing on the advancement of retirement systems and social protection. He began his professional journey as an Assistant Actuary at Mexico's National Statistical Office, later becoming the Deputy Director of the Planning Division of the Mexican Institute of Social Security where he managed actuarial calculations and social security planning. View Profile

Vienna

Dr. Jacqueline Stark, Vienna Jacqueline Stark, Ph.D., is the Chair of the NGO Committee on Ageing to the United Nations in Vienna and Austrian Representative of the International Federation on Ageing (Toronto, Canada) to the UN in Vienna. Formerly she was Senior Researcher on aphasiology for the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Neuropsycholinguistic Unit for over 43 years (until May 2017). View Profile