Staff
Our exceptional staff leads our nonprofit with vision and dedication. Each member brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to our mission, driving strategic initiatives and ensuring operational excellence. Together, they inspire our team and community to reach new heights, making a lasting impact through their leadership and passion.
Sameer Kanal
Executive Director
Sameer Kanal is the Executive Director of the Northwest Association for Global Affairs (NWA), and a co-founder of the NWA. He served as Board Chair for one year before being appointed Executive Director in 2009. He is also a City Councilor-Elect for the City of Portland, Oregon, and will take office in January 2025 representing District 2 (North and Northeast Portland).
Sameer was born in Portland, Oregon, and raised in the Portland area. After high school, he attended Clark College, earning an A.A. with a focus on Political Science and International Relations. He transferred to the University of Washington, where he received a B.A. in Political Science and Economics. Finally, he attended New York University’s Center for Global Affairs, graduating with a M.S. in Global Affairs with a focus on Human Rights and International Law.
After nearly 15 years away from his hometown, primarily in Seattle and New York, Sameer returned to Portland in 2021. He worked at the City of Portland’s Community Safety Division / Public Safety Service Area for three years, project managing the Police Accountability Commission, providing support for advisory groups focused on public safety, and eventually serving as Inclusive Policy Manager for Public Safety, connecting community engagement with policy development processesHis day job at the City of Portland’s Community Safety Division focuses on community engagement. Sameer has also previously consulted on relationships with international organizations for philanthropic organizations, tutored in subjects ranging from test prep to drums, monitored negotiations at the United Nations, worked and managed in retail, and worked on several political campaigns. He left his role at the City to run for City Council in Portland’s historic 2024 elections, and was elected in November 2024 for a four-year term.
Sameer began participating in Model United Nations in high school, and got involved in leadership while at Clark College, serving as Clark’s Head Delegate for 2 years. He founded Model United Nations at the University of Washington after transferring, serving as President for two years and as an Advisor for two more. While at UW, he founded Northwest Model United Nations (NWMUN), now known as NWMUN-Seattle, in 2007. He served as Secretary-General for two years, including during the transition of the NWMUN program from a project of the UW student club to the newly-formed NWA nonprofit. When NWMUN expanded into two conferences, he served as the first Secretary-General of what is now NWMUN-Portland in 2014. Outside of his work with the NWA, Sameer has also participated in nearly 60 other Model United Nations programs, including as Chief of Staff of National Model United Nations (the largest MUN program in the world) and at conferences in Canada.
Sameer’s areas of focus include human and civil rights, Israel-Palestine, mass social movements, and structures of both local and international governance. He has also focused and worked on arms control and disarmament.
Sameer was born in Portland, Oregon, and raised in the Portland area. After high school, he attended Clark College, earning an A.A. with a focus on Political Science and International Relations. He transferred to the University of Washington, where he received a B.A. in Political Science and Economics. Finally, he attended New York University’s Center for Global Affairs, graduating with a M.S. in Global Affairs with a focus on Human Rights and International Law.
After nearly 15 years away from his hometown, primarily in Seattle and New York, Sameer returned to Portland in 2021. He worked at the City of Portland’s Community Safety Division / Public Safety Service Area for three years, project managing the Police Accountability Commission, providing support for advisory groups focused on public safety, and eventually serving as Inclusive Policy Manager for Public Safety, connecting community engagement with policy development processesHis day job at the City of Portland’s Community Safety Division focuses on community engagement. Sameer has also previously consulted on relationships with international organizations for philanthropic organizations, tutored in subjects ranging from test prep to drums, monitored negotiations at the United Nations, worked and managed in retail, and worked on several political campaigns. He left his role at the City to run for City Council in Portland’s historic 2024 elections, and was elected in November 2024 for a four-year term.
Sameer began participating in Model United Nations in high school, and got involved in leadership while at Clark College, serving as Clark’s Head Delegate for 2 years. He founded Model United Nations at the University of Washington after transferring, serving as President for two years and as an Advisor for two more. While at UW, he founded Northwest Model United Nations (NWMUN), now known as NWMUN-Seattle, in 2007. He served as Secretary-General for two years, including during the transition of the NWMUN program from a project of the UW student club to the newly-formed NWA nonprofit. When NWMUN expanded into two conferences, he served as the first Secretary-General of what is now NWMUN-Portland in 2014. Outside of his work with the NWA, Sameer has also participated in nearly 60 other Model United Nations programs, including as Chief of Staff of National Model United Nations (the largest MUN program in the world) and at conferences in Canada.
Sameer’s areas of focus include human and civil rights, Israel-Palestine, mass social movements, and structures of both local and international governance. He has also focused and worked on arms control and disarmament.
Kristina Mader
Photographer / Videographer
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Kelsey Cook
Resource Development Specialist
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