Americas Steering Committee

Brian Kerr is the Senior Director for Safety and Security at HIAS. HIAS is the world’s oldest organization dedicated to refugee rights.  Drawing on Jewish values and history, HIAS provides vital services to refugees and asylum seekers around the work and advocates for their fundamental rights so they can rebuild their lives. Brian’s background is in security and program management for international humanitarian actors. He is based out of the HIAS HQ in Silver Spring, Maryland.

'I’m involved with GISF because as a member-led platform GISF allows the security management community to come together, learning from one another as we seek to maximize value for our organizations serving those in need around the world.'

A global leader who aims to eliminate poverty and improve human rights, Shannon has built and improved organisations’ security, duty of care and crisis management systems, helping organisations achieve their ultimate purpose safely.  She was a key contributor in writing and reviewing international NGO security standards and exam certifications. She spent most of her career in Africa prior to relocating to the US.

'GISF has been an integral part of my journey as a security leader. When I began this journey, security risk management didn’t exist in my organization.  GISF had the resources to help me think through the challenges and develop systems and processes.  Now I’m part of the global steering group and the America’s steering committee and can contribute back to GISF and its members.'