Chief Financial Director
Bryan Wood holds a BSc in Industrial Engineering Degree (Virginia Polytechnic Institute), and a MBA degree from Harvard University. He is the founder of the venture capital firm Alta Berkeley. Currently, he is also Director at Eleison Pharmaceuticals, a company focused on developing drugs for “orphan” diseases.
As he was able to access to university thanks to a scholarships, he gives even more priority to the growing problem of limited access to higher education for refugees.
He is a strong believer that education is a powerful tool to enable social uplift.
Executive Director
Graduated from the School of the Louvre (BA), Yvelyne Wood is a visual artist whose work is supported by the UN, the UNHCR, the OFCHR and the French Ministry of Culture. Her artworks have been exhibited in the United States, France and Switzerland. Her work focuses on wars and the place of women in wars.
Yvelyne Wood’s proven experience in the humanitarian field has allowed her to steer UniRef in a pragmatic way as she understands the reality of refugees’ daily life. She has signed all institutional & educational partners’ agreements that have allowed our missions in Burundi, Jordan and Poland.
She has built all relationships with the UNHCR, IFRC, Isra University, Jordan University. She embodies the NGO on the international humanitarian scene and for the press.
Yvelyne Wood created UniRef to tackle discrimination. As she explains: ” A young graduate who leaves the camps (refugee camps nldr) brings with him an average of 5 people. He therefore has to plan a future for himself but also for his family”.
Through her hard work and the commitment of UniRef’s team, Yvelyne Wood contributes to give young refugees access to studies.
President of UniRef Think Thank
Philippe Monnier manages several companies and has developed an expertise in companies international expansion and AR (Augmented Reality) technology.
He contributes to UniRef’s growth as well as the development of its awareness.
He is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania (MBA in Finance & Marketing).
Academic Director
Jacques Soppelsa is an Academic Palms and National Order of Merit Officer, and a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Malta. As the University’s Rector of University Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne, he signed the Magna Charta Universitatum (Great Charter of Universities) in 1988. His lastest book ” La Mondialisation dangereuse” was published by L’Artilleur Edition in 2021.
Academic Advisor
Founder and President of Geneva Professional Campus (GPC), Jean-Michel Delaplagne offers a various range of training courses for young adults with the aim to meet the local job market needs.
His brings a relevant experience and knowledge to UniRef.
Academic Advisor
Mathematician and philosopher, Ronald Cicurel is a former professor at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL) in Lausanne, Switzerland. Author of “Reality is unique to man”.
He provides advice regarding the educational programs led by UniRef.
Education & Healthcare Director
Dr. Jafaar is an endocrinologist at the University Hospital of Geneva (HUG) and at the Clinique des Grangettes in Geneva.
He has participated in UniRef’s health vocational training program development in Jordan and Burundi.
Education & Healthcare Co-Director
Dr. Jolou is a cardiovascular surgeon at the University Hospital of Geneva (HUG). Dr. Jolou is also a member of the European and American Societies of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery.
He practised in India during a humanitarian mission.
He has contributed to develop UniRef’s health vocational training program in Jordan.
Legal Officer
Nathalie recently graduated with a Bachelor in International Relations with a specialization in law from the University of Geneva. She is passionate about advocating human rights and eager to contribute to advancing UniRef’s mission and commitment.
Team Coordinator & Assistant
UniRef and its partners provide access to higher education and vocational training programs to young refugees and destitute members of host communities
+41 79 432 51 74
Université pour les Réfugiés (UniRef)
Place de la Taconnerie 2,
1204 Genève, Suisse
copyright © 2023 UniRef