Meet the Johnson County UNA Board Members

Jerry Anthony

Jerry Anthony is the President of the Johnson County Chapter. Jerry is an Associate Professor at the School of Planning and Public Affairs, and a Senior Faculty Affiliate with the Center for Social Science Innovation, both at the University of Iowa.  He has been a HUD Urban Scholar, a Brookings Fellow, a University of Iowa Presidential Scholar, and a Fulbright Senior Faculty Scholar.  Dr. Anthony is a Fellow of the American Institute of Certified Planners.  He co-founded the Housing Trust Fund of Johnson County.

Brita Schnoor Loftus

Britta Schnoor Loftus is the Vice President of the Johnson County UNA.  She grew up in Iowa City and is a graduate of The George Washington University, the UN-mandated University for Peace, and the University of Iowa College of Law.  During law school, she interned for the UNDP in Washington, DC.  Today, she is a practicing lawyer.  Her day-to-day practice focuses on intellectual property law, while her pro bono practice has included representing asylum applicants and research relating to human trafficking.

Meredith M. Gall

Meredith M. Gall is a the Treasurer of the Johnson County Chapter with a special interest in human rights and gender inequality.

Jenna Eastman

Jenna Eastman is a social studies teacher at City high school School and coaches the school’s Model United Nations program and Mock Trial Team.

Srara Haroun

Srara Haroun is a project manager with Resilient Sustainable Future Johnson County.  She is especially engaged in global issues like climate change and human rights.

Barbara Eckstein

Barbara Eckstein is the President of the Johnson County Chapter. She joined the UNUSA Johnson County Board in 2019. She's a long-time member of Iowa City Climate Advocates and Citizens' Climate Lobby. She retired from the English Department faculty at the University of Iowa in 2019.

Mercedes Bern-Klug

Mercedes Bern-Klug teaches in the School of Social Work and the Aging and Longevity Studies Program, including a course on “Global Aging.”  Her area of scholarship is gerontology and she focuses her research on building ways for social workers to support older adults with advanced chronic illnesses and their families.  She is a Fulbright Scholar who was appointed to the University of Guadalajara, Mexico in spring 2020.

John Fuller

Jean Paul Mugemuzi

Originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Jean Paul Mugemuzi is the Executive Director of the Refugee and Immigrant Association.

Stefanie Bowers

Stefanie Bowers is a board member who serves as the Human rights coordinator for the City of Iowa City

Bijou Maliabo

Bijou Maliabo is a community organizer and advocate for refugees and immigrants.  She is active in the Iowa City Human Rights Commission, the Congolese Health Partnership, the Center for Worker Justice and other groups. A speaker of five languages, she works with the ICCSD, the county court system, and area law enforcement agencies as an interpreter.

Farnaz Fatahi

Farnas Fatah is a member of the Board of the JCUNA.  A graduate student at the UI School of Planning and Public Affairs, she is passionate in promoting peace, sustainability and Global cooperation.

Wangui Gathua

Wangui Gathua is a member of the Board of the JCUNA.  She has always been passionate about global issues and has always had a keen interest in the role of the United Nations in addressing these concerns.

Donna Hirst

Donna Hirst is a member of the Board of the JCUNA.  She is active in many Johnson County community activities including the Johnson County Interfaith Coalition.

Lucie Mordecai

Lucie Moredecai is a member of the Board of the JCUNA.  She is the founder and CEO of Abbas International Healing Center which works to improve the mental health of people in Congo, Burkina Faso and Rwanda.

Sanaa Sebaaly

Sanaa Sebaaly is a member of the Board of the JCUNA.  A journalist and communicator, she is the co-president of the International Women’s Club of Iowa City.

Sarah Terlouw

Sarah Terlouw is the Executive Director of the International Rescue Committee is Iowa and previously worked with IRC in conflict and post-conflict settings.  She led the implementation of UN-funded programs including WHO, UNICEF. UNDP UNFPA and more throughout her career.

Stefanie P. K. Munsterman

Stefanie P. K. Munsterman is an organizational consultant and an adjunct professor in graduate programs at a local university.  Previously she served as the Executive Director of the Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission.

Claudia Suazo

Claudia Suazo is a member of the JCUNA board.and has been actively involved as a volunteer in initiatives led by Catholic and governmental organizations that support vulnerable children, homeless individuals, migrants, and women in need within my community.