Our UK-based spokespeople have extensive experience in the humanitarian, education, and nutrition sectors. With a deep understanding of the key drivers of hunger and malnutrition, they can provide valuable media commentary on the challenges faced by communities worldwide and offer solutions to end hunger once and for all.
We can also connect journalists with first-hand perspectives from Country Directors in all 55 countries we work in, providing in depth local knowledge and expertise about the projects we are running to turn the tide against hunger
Spokesperson Biographies
Jean-Michel Grand, Executive Director
Jean-Michel has been Executive Director of Action Against Hunger UK since 2003. He started his career in the humanitarian sector in 1994 as a logistician during the Bosnian War and spent the following years working in humanitarian crises such as Chechnya, Northern Rakhine state in Myanmar, Tajikistan, Malawi and Zimbabwe.
Over the past two decades, Jean-Michel has dedicated his efforts to addressing child malnutrition around the world and helping communities affected by humanitarian disasters.
Alison McNulty, Director of Operations
Alison McNulty has been Operations Director at Action Against Hunger UK since 2020. She has a background in research, evaluation and strategy following a career in health and social care research, specialising in cancer, palliative care and bereavement support. She has worked in the humanitarian sector since 2010.
She manages expert teams who make our operations the best that they can be to have a world free from hunger. She leads teams whose work influences the whole sector; from influencing others in how to engage with communities to find what best works for them, through to shaping World Health Organisation guidelines.
Judith Escribano, Deputy Director of Communications
Judith Escribano has been Deputy Director of Communications at Action Against Hunger UK since 2021. Judith has worked in communications roles for various international development agencies and human rights organisations for over 25 years. Prior to joining Action Against Hunger, she worked for a range of organisations including Islamic Relief, Age International and Christian Aid.
As Deputy Director of Communications, she oversees the organisation’s press and PR work, social media, website development and creative content.
Kate Munro, Head of Advocacy
Kate Munro is Head of Advocacy for Action Against Hunger UK. She has played a leading role in the organisation’s advocacy on conflict and hunger, humanitarian crisis response and nutrition. Prior to this Kate worked in the international non-governmental organisation (INGO) sector for several years, including coordinating cross sector advocacy efforts on the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) climate negotiations, sustainable development goals (SDGs) and Sendai Disaster Risk Reduction Framework.
She has undertaken research on climate science, finance and politics, conflict and humanitarian crisis prevention, and improving access to health and nutrition services. She has an MSc in climate change science and politics from University College London.
Alexandra Rutishauser-Perera, Head of Nutrition
Alexandra Rutishauser-Perera is a multi-skilled registered nurse with 17 years of experience in the field of public health nutrition working across Africa and Asia. She has previously worked for Doctors Without Borders, International Medical Corps and Save the Children, before joining Action Against Hunger UK as Head of Nutrition.
She is an active member and decision maker in different international working groups on the topics of humanitarian coordination, infant feeding in emergencies, adolescent nutrition and nutrition information systems. She also coordinates a group of researchers working on the topic of Kwashiorkor (a type of malnutrition characterised by the appearance of swelling in parts of the body.
She is a guest lecturer at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, the Metropolitan and Westminster Universities, King’s College and the American University of Beirut. Alexandra holds an MSc in Nutrition for Global Health from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and a Diploma in Tropical Medicine.
Carmin O’Neal, Climate Change Advisor
Carmin O’Neal is a Climate Risk and Disaster Management Specialist. She has over 15 years of experience working for governments, non-profit organisations, and international agencies to support individuals and communities in responding and adapting to emergencies and climate related hazards.
Carmin has worked on award-winning community disaster resilience and emergency preparedness projects that have been noted for their innovative and collaborative approaches. Her experience extends to the Caribbean where she consulted for the United Nations Development Programme on gender-responsive climate risk management projects and disaster recovery programmes in 10 countries. This included climate change adaption projects that reduced the impacts of climate-related hazards, improved the access to safe, sufficient, and nutritious food, and provided livelihoods such as farming, fishing, and trading in several communities.
Carmin has a master’s degree in Disaster and Emergency Management from Royal Roads University in Canada.