Emma has over 15 years’ experience in some of the world’s most complex and conflict-affected environments, including Syria, Gaza, Iraq and Somalia. Emma’s diverse career has spanned banking, management consulting, diplomacy, strategic communications, community resilience and accountability. She has worked at the nexus of government, commercial and civic sectors, exploring new and innovative opportunities for collaboration in support of humane, impactful and just outcomes. As Chief Impact Officer at Mayday Rescue, Emma worked with her late husband James Le Mesurier, cofounder of the White Helmets civilian emergency response organisation in Syria. In this role, she obtained an unprecedented insight into how Russia prosecutes its hybrid war against the West and its allies. Emma aims to leverage her unique experience to support Ukraine in its self-defence against Russian aggression, and to help protect the model of open society that authoritarian regimes seek to undermine. Emma holds a MSc in Economics and Business Administration from the Stockholm School of Economics. Emma co-founded Next Level Initiatives in June 2022 and is the Executive Director.

Nadera has served as the Operations Director at Next Level Initiatives since September 2022, overseeing the organization's effective functioning and the implementation of strategic plans. Her expertise in crisis response and dedication to democratic governance initiatives led to her appointment to the Management Board in July 2023, further contributing to the organization's vision and mission. Nadera has a degree in Actuarial Science and a master's in advocacy and communication. She is a humanitarian operations expert renowned for her adept and compassionate leadership in challenging operational landscapes within conflict zones. Throughout her career, Nadera has been dedicated to stabilization and peacebuilding efforts. During her tenure with Mayday Rescue, Nadera played a pivotal role in evacuating the White Helmets in southern Syria. More recently, working with IOM Iraq, she facilitated durable solutions for Alhol returnees and displaced populations in Iraq, who were vulnerable to tribal retaliation. Nadera has collaborated with numerous international organizations, including the Norwegian Refugees Council and the Red Cross Movement.

John is a former UK diplomat who has wide international experience of working in Central and Eastern Europe, Southern Africa and other regions. He has led complex technology and business transformation programmes in the public sector and has a strong interest in the application of emerging technology to national security issues. He is a Director of a strategic risk consultancy business and advises a range of clients on international risk, technology and management issues. He is also a Visiting Senior Research Fellow at King's College London. John has worked with Next Level Initiatives as a Risk Adviser since April 2023 and he joined the Management Board in July 2023.

Janos has built and managed numerous private investment offices in both the US and Europe. He was appointed as Director on the Board of FTSE100 firm and also worked for seven years as a management consultant at both McKinsey & Co. and Deloitte Consulting. Janos has a unique international background having worked and studied in Asia, Europe and the US for the past 35 years. He is fluent in several languages, allowing him to operate very effectively and comfortably in multiple cultural settings. Janos received an MBA from Harvard Business School and his B.A. at ICU Tokyo in Political Economy graduating summa cum laude. He has also studied at U.C. Berkeley and University of Paris, Sorbonne.

Herbert is managing director of Mediahuis Radio in the Netherlands. Mediahuis owns and operates the commercial national radiostations Radio Veronica, 100% NL, SLAM!, Sunlite and Sublime.