President's Welcome

What an honor to be 2022-2024 President of the UNA-Southern California Division. I have quite a legacy to carry forward, following in the footsteps of Past President Barry Simon. I feel honored to continue his work with our 12 Southern California UNA Chapters.

Whether it’s standing up for human rights, eliminating extreme poverty, putting an end to human trafficking, combating climate change, or protecting refugees, the United Nations is working to build a brighter future by confronting the planet’s most complex challenges – but it can’t do it alone.
While the UN is standing up for the world, we’re standing up for the UN. I have always been a supporter of the United Nations, visiting the UN when possible. To me, it was the place for global dialogue and new solutions to world problems. Little did I know, I would meet former UN Assistant Secretary-General, Dr. Robert Muller. His illustrious career spanned 40 years at the UN. We fell in love, married and for the 17 years we traveled and spoke to many UNA chapters. I felt so close to the thousands of active UNA members whose educational programs were informing and helping their communities understand and participate in the work of the UN.

UNA-USA’s membership finds strength in numbers. As the largest group of UN advocates in the United States, UNA-USA members are the leaders fighting to protect and promote the vital work of the UN. So join us and check this website often for our upcoming programs and see the work and events of the local chapters.

Barbara Gaughen-Muller, President

UNA-USA Southern California Division

Division Officers

Crystal Martinez

Secretary

Melbourne Boynton

VP Advocacy

Ali Mahir Aksu

Young Professionals Representative

Judith Harris

VP Membership/Chapter Services

Isabel Treidl

VP Communication

Bettina Hausmann

Regional Representative of UNA-USA National Council

Chapter Presidents

Isabel Treidl

Orange County
Chapter President

Daria Makuch

Pasadena/Foothill
Chapter President

Diane Gonzales

Long Beach/South Bay
Chapter President

Bettina Hausmann

San Diego
Chapter President

David Tuckman

San Fernando Valley
Chapter President

Barbara Gaughen-Muller

Santa Barbara/Tri-County
Chapter President

Bianca Salgado

Whittier
Chapter President

Charlene Martin

Pomona Valley
Chapter President

UNA-USA National Membership Staff

Chris Whatley

UNA-USA Natl.
Executive Director

Rachel Pittman

Membership & Programs,
Senior Director

Anna Mahalak

Youth Engagement
Manager

Ryan Kaminski

Human Rights & Special
Initiatives, Senior Manager

Troy Wolfe

Education Programs & Learning,
Senior Director

Katrina Finch

Chapter Development,
Senior Associate

Lauren Dickinson

Communications
Officer

Sarah Hopkins

Digital
Producer

Rajita Sanji

Chapter Development
Senior Associate

Washington DC Offices

1750 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 300,
Washington, DC 20006

New York Offices

801 Second Avenue, 9th Floor
New York, NY 10017

UNA-USA Regional Reps to UNA-USA National Council (NCSC) Steering Committee

Mel Boynton

National Council Rep.

Judith Harris

National Council Rep.

Isabel Tretl

National Council Rep.

Standing Division Committees and Advocacy Chairs

Isabel Tretl

Young Professionals Chair
(UNA-USA YP)

Margaret Soderberg, M.D.


Global Health

John Beynon


Bylaws

Nominating Committee:

Mel Boynton, Judith Harris, Joy Adams

Government Relations/Advocacy

Mel Boynton

Senior Advocate

Chapter Representatives

Ginny Hatfield


Isabel Treitl


Model United Nations (Global Classrooms/ CALMUN/WESTMUN)

Sondra Zeigler