ACT Executive Committee 2025:Â
Brian Gleeson – President
Brian Gleeson was elected President of UNAA ACT in September 2018, following three years as an Independent Board Member of the UNAA National Board. Until recently, he served as a Project Director at GHD, delivering DFAT-funded international aid projects in Papua New Guinea. He is an international consultant, currently working as the Senior Adviser developing a UN System Wide Strategy on South-South and Triangular Cooperation following working with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on Public Sector Excelence in Saudi Arabia. He also volunteers as an Ambassador for Community First Development.
With over fifty years of experience in the Australian Public Service, the United Nations, and international development, Brian’s distinguished career includes his last role as Coordinator General for Remote Indigenous Services at the Deputy Secretary level. He has also held senior positions such as Director of Human Resources at UNDP in New York, Head of the UN in Libya, Senior Adviser to former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan on change management, and Director of Human Resources at UNRWA in Amman, Jordan, where he oversaw HR policies for over 30,000 national staff and 200 international personnel across Gaza, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and the West Bank.
As President of UNAA ACT, Brian is focused on building an inclusive and dynamic membership that drives change in international peace and security, human rights, sustainable development, justice, and the rule of law through collaborative partnerships.
Harold Wilkinson – Vice PresidentÂ
Joined UNAA ACT as a committee member after arriving in Canberra in 1978. He subsequently was appointed as treasurer and currently serves as Vice President.
Harold retired from the Public Service and now devotes his time to the UNAA ACT and the Society of Friends (Quakers) as the convenor of the National Quaker Peace and Legislation Committee.
Harold was a Representative at the Quaker United Nations Office in New York (1971-1975) and was one of two Quaker Representatives at the World Conference of International Women’s Year in Mexico City (1975). This involvement stimulated his participation in UNAA on his return to Australia. He has been UNAA National President, National Treasurer and National Secretary. Harold is committed to promoting the ideals and objectives of the United Nations to the broader ACT community.
Claire Fraser- Vice President
MIntPol, MIR, MPH, BSc, GradCertProjMgmt
Claire Fraser became Vice President of the UNAA ACT at the end of 2024. Before this role, she served as Chair of the Events Subcommittee. Prior to joining the ACT division, Claire was the UNAA State Treasurer in Queensland from 2003 to 2004.
Outside of UNAA Claire is a Senior Program Officer with the Department of Education, Skills and Employment. Claire is a member of the Australian Labor Party and involved with various policy committees. Claire has worked in several federal and state government departments in the defence, science and health sectors. She has over ten years of charity work in Rotary International.
Claire loves traveling overseas (so far 23 countries) and has a huge interest in global politics and peace.
Christine Vincent – Treasurer
In early 2009 Christine was asked to assist in the UNAA ACT office in the lead up to the September Switch to Green Conference sponsored by the ACT Division to support Canberra’s bid to become a Carbon Neutral Capital. Subsequently she worked as part-time Office Manager and took over the bookkeeping role and later joined the Committee as Treasurer. Christine’s initial involvement with UNAA was through its membership of the Australian Council for Overseas Aid (now the Australian Institute for International Development) where she worked for 18 years before retiring as Director of Administration in 1999.
In 1999 Christine was appointed CEO of a fledgling RedR Australia (Registered Engineers for Disaster Relief), a position she held for nearly a decade. With funding from (then) AusAID, RedR Australia signed Standby Agreements to provide immediate technical support to front line UN agencies such as UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, and OCHA, (now a total of 15 agencies) in response to international humanitarian emergencies. As Treasurer Christine appreciates the opportunity to provide practical local support for the work of the UN in promoting its vision of a more peaceful and sustainable world community.
Nimalan Karthikeyan – Committee Member
MBA, PostGradDipMarketing
Nimalan Karthikeyan has over thirty-five years of experience in corporate, not-for-profit and intergovernmental sectors. Currently, he works for Federal Government and serves as a Board Member of UNAA ACT and Capacity Development Advisor for Indigenous Women Elders group in Bourke, NSW.
Nimalan was Strategic Advisor and Coordinating Secretary to the Office of the Chief Minister, Northern Province, Sri Lanka (2018) working on post-war transition initiatives in the war affected Northern Province. He has held diverse roles for post-tsunami recovery projects with NGOs and a UK Local Government Council. He served in the Australian Federal Police as Capacity Development Advisor for the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands and in a policy and program development role for International operations and freedom of information.
Matthew Neuhaus – Committee Member
BA (Hons) LLB (Syd) MPhil (Camb)Â
Matthew Neuhaus is an Honorary Professor (International Law) at the Australian National University (ANU) College of Law.
He is also engaged in a wide range of community activities in Canberra. He was an Australian Diplomat from 1982-2023, serving as Ambassador to the Netherlands (2018 to 2022), Ambassador to Zimbabwe (2011-15) and High Commissioner to Nigeria and Ghana (1997-2000) and Director of the Political Affairs Division of the Commonwealth Secretariat (2002-2008), and with postings to the Australian Mission to the UN New York (1991-94), Papua New Guinea and Kenya.
Matthew has had extensive engagement on UN matters in his career, including as Director of the UN and Commonwealth Section in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. He has particular expertise and experience in the development and extension of the rule of international law and in peacebuilding.
Paula Rose Castronova – Committee Member
HBS (CBISCert) CSLI (SBML/BNZ Dip) CJBS (CESS Dip) LCBLA (AAS HHons) SCU(GD)
Paula Rose Castronova is a visionary leader in sustainable growth, uniting strategy, creativity, and global perspective to drive meaningful change in the sustainability sector. With advanced credentials from Harvard Business School and the University of Cambridge, she leverages rigorous academic insights to address real-world challenges.
Drawing on a multidisciplinary background in consultancy, media content creation, public speaking, and sustainable business practices, Paula has advised organisations, developed educational programs, and delivered practical presentations to promote environmental, social, and economic resilience. Paula’s holistic approach emphasises that sustainability is about more than reducing emissions or waste; it’s about integrating people, profit, and planet in balance. This perspective enables her to engage stakeholders across government, business, and civil society, fostering collaborative initiatives that drive systemic change. Paula uses her international experience to customise sustainability strategies for diverse cultural, economic, and regulatory environments. As she continues to develop educational courses and write, she remains committed to empowering organisations and individuals to act with purpose and vision for a thriving future, dedicating her expertise to promoting the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, along with the UNAA and its affiliations, across all sectors.
Want to be involved with UNAA ACT?
Our Executive Committee meets on the third Tuesday of each month. All members are welcome to attend, and this is a great way to become involved. If you are interested in attending, or want other information, please contact us at act@unaa.org.au.
As a member, you receive discounted entry to paid events and exclusive entry to special events. You can also keep up to date via our Facebook page here.
You are invited to join our mailing list to ensure you are notified of these events. At this time, you will also begin to receive the UNAA monthly newsletter, which provides updates on UN activities around the world.