Sandra Elvin is a security risk management consultant at Open Briefing. Sandra was previously the overseas safety and security manager for the US Institute of Peace. She complements her risk management expertise with a strong background in conservation, wildlife management, and expedition leadership, including with the National Geographic Society and the Environmental Investigation Agency. Sandra holds a doctorate in environmental studies, a master’s in marine management, and a graduate certificate in conservation criminology. She speaks English and French.

Charles Hancock is a security risk management consultant at Open Briefing. Charlie is global operations professional with extensive experience in management and leadership positions with international organisations across multiple countries. Focussing on risk, security, and project management, often in high-risk environments, Charlie provides strategic oversight of operations and advisory support to senior leadership. Prior to joining Open Briefing, Charlie worked in the humanitarian and development sectors in Afghanistan, Jordan, Kenya, South Sudan, Sierra Leone, and South Africa, including as the associate director of safety and security at the Clinton Health Access Initiative and as a project manager for Medair. He also served as a US Peace Corps volunteer in Kenya for two years. Charlie holds a master’s degree in public health from the University of Edinburgh and is a certified Security Risk Management Professional (SRMP-C).

Gael Leopold is a security risk management consultant at Open Briefing. Gael worked in country director and programme roles in international NGOs for nearly a decade, including with Première Urgence Internationale, WWF International, and ACTED in Chad, Palestine, Lebanon, Haiti, Afghanistan, and Fiji. He was also previously the executive director of Toilettes du Monde and the Rotary Pacific Water for Life Foundation. After three years in Palestine, Gael returned to France and now provides security consultancy and personal security training (HEAT) to NGOs in the humanitarian, development, and human rights sectors. He is fluent in French, English, and Spanish. 

Leon Nsiku is a security risk management consultant at Open Briefing. He has over a decade of experience in security management, human rights, and humanitarian access in fragile environments. Prior to joining Open Briefing, Leon was a senior protection associate at DefendDefenders, where he provided security management training and conducted security risk assessments for civil society organisations and human rights defenders in the East and Horn of Africa, Central Africa, and the Sahel. He also led DefendDefender’s protection and empowerment programme for exiled human rights defenders. Leon’s early career was focussed on humanitarian access and the promotion of human rights in DR Congo, including with the Humanitarian Initiative for Development in South-Kivu Province. Leon has a master’s degree in security studies. He is fluent in English, French, and Kiswahili.

Renata Oliveira is a security risk management consultant at Open Briefing. Renata has a decade of professional experience working with human rights defenders at risk in Latin America and, more recently, in Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. She was Oxfam’s security coordinator for Latin America and the Caribbean for four years and subsequently provided security support to Oxfam’s operations in northern Mozambique. She has worked as a consultant for the UN Human Rights Office and Front Line Defenders and provided international protective accompaniment to human rights defenders at risk in Mexico with Peace Brigades International. Renata is a lawyer by training and holds a master’s degree in international law and international relations. She speaks Portuguese, English, and Spanish.

Shaun Martinez is a security risk management consultant at Open Briefing. Shaun has over 20 years’ experience working on the safety and security of human rights defenders and activists and supporting the victims of human rights violations. He has a keen interest in the rights of marginalised defenders and activists, including LGBTIQ+ activists, sex workers, women’s rights activists, and disability rights activists, and where these discriminations intersect with race and poverty to create even greater challenges. Shaun has worked with organisations across Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. He has worked for the UN, the EU, and the International Commission of Jurists. And he has provided international protective accompaniment to human rights defenders in Colombia and Nepal with Peace Brigades International. Shaun is a volunteer case worker for LGBTIQ+ refugees and asylum seekers with Portsmouth City of Sanctuary.

Molly Rose Freeman Cyr is a security risk management consultant at Open Briefing. Molly focusses on protecting human rights defenders and civil society organisations through risk assessments, trainings, and protection planning. She has previously worked with Front Line Defenders, the International Federation for Human Rights, and the 11th Hour Project to support defenders and organisations at risk, particularly in West and Central Africa. Molly holds a degree in peace and justice studies and a master’s degree in international peace studies. She speaks English and French.