Governance

International Board

Sr. Teresia Wamuyu WachiraCo-president

Kenya

Biography

Sister Wamũyũ Teresia Wachira is a scholar, educator and peace practitioner whose work bridges theology, academia, and grassroots engagement. A member of the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary, she holds a PhD in Peace Studies and serves as Senior Lecturer and Programme Leader in Peace and Conflict Studies at St Paul University in Nairobi.

Her lifelong commitment to women’s leadership, youth empowerment, and active nonviolence has shaped educational institutions and community initiatives across Kenya and beyond. She integrates academic rigor with lived practice, forming leaders capable of transforming conflict through dialogue, reconciliation, and justice.

Bishop Jose Colin BagaforoCo-president

Philippines

Biography

Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo serves as Bishop of the Diocese of Kidapawan in the Philippines and is a nationally recognized voice for social justice and environmental integrity. Previously President of Caritas Philippines, he strengthened the Church’s social action leadership across the country.

Rooted in pastoral ministry and public engagement, his work addresses environmental exploitation, corruption, and the defense of marginalized communities, particularly indigenous peoples affected by extractive industries. He has played a visible role in national moral renewal efforts and civil society coalitions advocating ethical governance.

His leadership reflects a conviction that faith must animate public life through courageous witness, community empowerment, and the pursuit of the common good.

Margaret (Maggie) GalleyTreasurer

Australia

Biography

Margaret Galley is Treasurer of Pax Christi International and a longstanding leader within Pax Christi Australia. With extensive experience in nonprofit governance and financial oversight, she has strengthened institutional accountability at both national and international levels.

Her professional and volunteer work spans development engagement in the Pacific region and advocacy for First Nations communities in Australia. She combines financial stewardship with a deep commitment to justice, transparency, and responsible organizational leadership.

Marhegane Godefroid

Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

Biography

Marhegane Godefroid is a humanitarian and peace advocate from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), serving as a devoted Board Member for Pax Christi International since 2022, bringing extensive experience in education and aid, advocating for peace, women’s rights, and nuclear disarmament and actively involved in regional conflicts like the Eastern DRC crisis.

Fr. Antonio (Tonio) Dell'Olio

Italy

Biography

Fr. Antonio Dell’Olio is an internationally respected advocate for nonviolence and disarmament. Former National Coordinator of Pax Christi Italy, he has been a central figure in peace education and public advocacy across Europe and internationally.

His work has engaged complex conflict contexts and global campaigns addressing nuclear disarmament and ethical security policy. He brings decades of experience in policy dialogue, grassroots mobilization, and transnational peace collaboration.

Sister Bridget Crisp - rsm

Aotearoa – New Zealand

Biography

Sister Bridget Crisp, a Sister of Mercy and member of Pax Christi Aotearoa New Zealand, brings a deep spirituality grounded in justice and reconciliation. Holding a Master’s degree in Peace and Conflict Studies, her research explores indigenous reconciliation processes.

Her work integrates faith, historical memory, and justice education in contexts shaped by colonial legacy and indigenous rights movements.

Grace Buckley

Scotland

Biography

Grace Buckley serves on the executive committee of Pax Christi Scotland and represents the Scottish Bishops’ Conference Justice and Peace Commission at European level. With decades of professional legal experience, she brings expertise in governance, compliance and institutional strategy.

Her advocacy includes sustained engagement in nuclear disarmament campaigns and human rights initiatives.

Isabel Aguilar Umaña

Guatemala

Biography

Isabel Aguilar Umaña is a Guatemalan social scientist and peacebuilding specialist whose work spans reconciliation, youth violence prevention, and gender justice across Central America.

She bridges academic research with applied methodologies that strengthen social cohesion and conflict transformation.

José Henríquez Leiva

El Salvador

Biography

José Henríquez Leiva has longstanding engagement with Pax Christi in the Americas and brings experience in regional coordination and faith based peace initiatives.

He integrates academic formation in peace studies with diocesan accompaniment and grassroots engagement.

Marie-Noëlle Koyara

Central African Republic

Biography

Marie Noëlle Koyara has held senior ministerial and international leadership roles, including Minister of Defence and Minister of Agriculture in the Central African Republic, as well as FAO Representative in West Africa.

She has led national dialogue processes and contributed to institutional reform in post conflict settings, integrating governance, security sector reform and sustainable development.

Martin Pilgram

Germany

Biography

Martin Pilgram is a longstanding peace activist and diocesan chair of Pax Christi in the Archdiocese of Munich and Freising. A member of the movement since 1981, his work addresses arms exports, nuclear disarmament, forced displacement, and the ethical implications of emerging military technologies.

He contributes informed analysis and strategic governance rooted in decades of European peace engagement.

Caesar D'Mello

Australia

Biography

Caesar D’Mello has served on the International Board since 2022 and convenes the Pax Christi Asia Pacific Facilitation Group. His career spans ecumenical leadership, development cooperation, climate advocacy, and regional peace initiatives.

He has strengthened collaboration across Asia and the Pacific in culturally diverse and geopolitically complex contexts.

Sister Mary Atimango

South Sudan

Biography

Sister Mary Atimango is an educator and peace practitioner with more than two decades of experience in justice, trauma healing, and community peacebuilding in South Sudan and beyond.

She has led training initiatives in nonviolence, mediation, and trauma awareness, strengthening resilience in fragile contexts.

Natalia Eugenia Velásquez Ríos

Colombia

Biography

Natalia Eugenia Velásquez Ríos is a Colombian peacebuilding specialist with more than twenty five years of experience in justice, reconciliation, human rights, and sustainable development across Latin America and Europe.

She advises civil society organizations and international agencies on strategic planning, institutional strengthening, and long term sustainability.

Rojer Salameh

Palestine

Biography

Rojer Salameh serves with the Arab Educational Institute Pax Christi Bethlehem, contributing to institutional development and community based peacebuilding initiatives.

He leads youth and interreligious programs promoting coexistence, civic engagement and integral ecology.

W. Michael Slattery

USA

Biography

W. Michael Slattery serves on the Pax Christi USA Finance Committee and the Pax Christi International Financial Committee.

With a background in economics and investment markets, he strengthens ethical financial stewardship and long term sustainability within Pax Christi structures.