Meet Our team of facilitators and coaches

Arturo is a specialist in human rights and strengthening civil society organisations as democratic counterweights and inexhaustible sources of social, environmental, and cultural innovation and creation.

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Arturo has been advising networks, civil society organisations in Latin America, and international NGOs on political strategy and social change for more than 25 years.

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He is known for his vision and analytical skills, his ability to build passionate and effective teams, the design and implementation of organisational strategies, the facilitation of participatory processes, and the development of innovative methodologies.

Beykham is a dedicated facilitator specialising in adult learning, soft skills training, and youth development. With a focus on empowerment, Beykham's expertise extends to leadership training, gender equality, and inclusive education. She excels in designing custom curricula and comprehensive programs, collaborating with local stakeholders and sponsors to meet specific needs.

Beykham's work transforms individuals and communities, equipping them with essential skills and promoting lifelong learning. Her passion for capacity building and education drives positive change, making her a catalyst for personal and societal growth. Beykham Saleumsouk's commitment to enhancing skills, leadership, and gender equality through education leaves a lasting impact on those working with her.

Dirk has been committed to the civil society sector for more than 25 years. With his passion, positive energy, optimism, and autonomy, he likes to see people grow and find their true meaning and values. His international experience in different leadership positions throughout Asia and Africa qualifies him as a facilitator, trainer, and coach: preferably with you in one of the CSA courses, otherwise as an outdoor trainer at YEP Academy. Dirk's center is his family and nature.

Georges croit fermement au pouvoir de chaque individu à créer un impact positif et durable dans sa propre vie et autour de lui. Il rêve d'un monde où chacun vit pleinement en harmonie avec soi-même et la planète grâce à des choix éthiques et sains. Fort de presque 20 ans d'expérience terrain à travers le monde, Georges combine expertise en gestion agile de projets et programmes internationaux, résilience organisationnelle et coopération en contextes sensibles (post-conflits). Diplômé en Ingénierie de l'Environnement et détenteur d’un Master en Solidarités et Actions Humanitaires, il incarne le profil idéal du leader authentique, orienté vers les résultats et profondément humain.

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Aujourd’hui Membre de l'équipe de gestion flexible pour l’ONG Welthungerhilfe, Georges inspire par son approche axée sur la communication positive, l'empowerment des équipes pour atteindre une performance durable et un réel épanouissement collectif.

Helina’s eclectic skillset and interests have led her on a meandering path cutting across a global consulting firm, a publishing collective, a feminist social enterprise, and organizations working in the development sector.

As a Coordinator for CSA Africa, she worked on gradually nurturing the entity into an impactful changemaker in the local civil society ecosystem and beyond. She values the inspired vision and progressive values of CSA and finds herself at home in training spaces where collective knowledge is woven into meaningful strategy. She spends the rest of her time on creative outlets and cultivating meaning, knowledge, and connection. xx

Herbert has consulted for organizations of all sizes in the industry, commerce, education and healthcare, both in Europe and Australasia. For more than 25 years, he has been leading organisations and leadership development programmes for senior management. Since 2011, he is consulting with Welthungerhilfe and the European Network Alliance 2015. His facilitation and coaching skills are unmatched!

Joachim is passionate about social justice and co-creation. In 2014, he left his NGO career to embark on a mission to support civil society actors and social entrepreneurs in becoming more powerful and innovative. Together with his colleagues, he founded the Civil Society Academy, which began its journey in India and later expanded to many parts of the world. In 2023, Joachim established Civil Society Academy International as a social enterprise in Germany.

With more than 25 years of experience across Africa and Asia, he brings deep insight into the realities and potential of social change.​

Joachim is an outstanding trainer and coach who loves facilitating collective processes that are creative, fun, and deeply impactful. His work focuses on leadership, culture, innovation, and strategy — always with a strong commitment to empowering disadvantaged groups. Now based in Berlin, he continues to inspire and support changemakers worldwide.

Jonathan is an award-winning Innovator, Civic Journalist, Trainer and consultant in the areas of Human Rights, Media Development, Media Literacy and Good Governance in Africa. Over the last 15 years of his career, he has consulted for the Ford Foundation/Uganda Land Alliance, Disability Rights Fund, DW (Deutsche Welle) Akademie, and Boehm Gladen Foundation, among others.

One of Jonathan’s social innovations aims at creating more spaces for diverse voices in the media and gives leaders an opportunity to listen to their citizens, and generally make better decisions. He believes that a community without a voice breeds disorder, suspicion, and a lack of public trust.

Josantony is Advisor (Maharashtra) to the Commissioner appointed by the Supreme Court of India on Food Security. He is on the Board of Creative Handicrafts, a Fair Trade organisation in India. Josantony was instrumental in setting up and conducting advocacy programs for the National Center for Advocacy Studies in India. He is an international resource person who has worked in Africa, the US, Canada and many countries in Europe and the Far East.

Judith is a member of International Association of Facilitators (IAF), Vice chairperson of IAF Uganda Chapter, She is a passionate facilitator that adepts to fostering collaborative environments, enhancing communication, and guiding group/team processes. With 15 years of working with NGOs/INGOs in Uganda, she has expertise in project management, leadership and team management training, youth development and empowerment, soft skills training, social inclusion and community development.

She empowers individuals, organizations to navigate personal challenges, build resilience, and achieve goals and objectives as a team. As an organizational development practitioner, she optimizes systems and fosters cultures for effectiveness. Additionally, as a project management expert she ensures successful execution, timely delivery, and alignment with organizational objectives, fostering sustainable development and teamwork.

With over 20 years of experience in national and international NGOs and government ministries, Bunrithy specializes in providing comprehensive training, coaching, and capacity development services at grassroots, national, and regional levels. His expertise includes Do No Harm and Conflict Sensitivity, Organizational Development, Leadership and Team Management, and Advocacy, among other areas.

Throughout his career, he has consistently driven organizational growth and social impact, leveraging his extensive knowledge and expertise to deliver high-quality results. Based in Phnom Penh, Bunrithy is committed to making a meaningful difference and contributing to the success of the organizations and communities he serves.

With over 17 years of experience in international development, Leonore offers exceptional depth in gender transformative approaches, advocacy, and organizational capacity development. Her work spans sectors and continents — from land governance and gender equality in Ethiopia and Germany to microfinance and financial inclusion in Madagascar, Mozambique and India to leadership and mentoring across the globe.

A highly engaging multilingual facilitator, Leonore has designed and led strategic planning and advocacy trainings in English, French, and Spanish-speaking contexts. Since joining CSA in 2022, she has developed robust training curricula, coached emerging facilitators, and led mentorship initiatives for young leaders from the global South. Leonore holds a Master’s degree in International Economics and has previously worked with organisations as diverse as GIZ, PlanetFinance and numerous grassroot NGOs. Her work is guided by a strong commitment to empowerment.

Dr. Moritz Gekeler is a strategic consultant, coach and facilitator for co-innovation and design thinking. Over the last ten years he has gained professional experience in various institutions such as the foresight department of Daimler AG, the HPI School of Design Thinking and the SAP Design and Co-Innovation Center. In 2015 he founded dolaborate as a co-innovation consultancy.

Moritz works with international companies of all sizes in the process of participatory strategy making especially in regard to design and innovation. He also enables them by teaching creative methods, facilitating innovation events and as a key-note speaker. Besides working in the business sector, Moritz has also taught at various universities in Germany. He is a member of the expert team of the German design research network design:transfer.

Dr. Petra Speier-Werner is fervently dedicated to transforming organizations and individuals through pioneering and sustainable approaches. She has lived and worked in various sectors in Europe, Africa, Asia and Latin America. As an organizational psychologist, economist and political scientist, with a doctorate in change management, her training, conferences and coaching are distinguished by a rich interdisciplinary perspective.

Driven by a soulful purpose, Petra aspires to serve as a wellspring of inspiration and unconditional love, empowering individuals to discover and embrace their authentic truths. Her mission is to foster a transformative journey for all, enabling them to lead lives aligned with their genuine selves.

Retta Menberu Woldetsadik (M.D., MSc) stands up for civil society-state dynamics, good governance, advocacy, and a rights-based approach to development. Since 2018 he has been part of CSA, built up, and leads the Africa office to advocate for change and empower the youth. After working more than two decades in development and health leadership, as a trainer, researcher, and consultant in clinical medicine and public health, Retta developed himself to a broader development leadership and facilitation role by operating as Country Director for ActionAid International, and as regional Strategy Adviser for Rush Foundation. 

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He works as a coordinator, researcher, adviser, and facilitator for international development and humanitarian organizations, alliances, and multi-actor partnerships in diverse contexts across Africa, Asia, and Europe.

Rishi is a social impact strategy and development professional with 14+ years of experience in institution development and project management across livelihoods, climate, health, and nutrition. He specializes in building agile teams, fostering innovation, and driving collaborations. He has worked in strategy and program management at TRI, as Scaling Coordinator at Welthungerhilfe, and as an Executive at PRADAN. His expertise includes project management, organizational strategy, IT-based systems, and stakeholder engagement. At CSA International, he leverages design thinking, digital transformation, and social innovation to create impactful learning programs. Rishi holds a management degree from FMS Delhi and a B.Tech from MNNIT Allahabad.

Sohini Paul brings over thirty years of experience in the development sector, grounded in a strong social science background. She holds a master’s degree in Geography and Regional Planning and is a certified Life and Leadership Coach. Her work combines analytical rigour with a deep commitment to human growth, learning, and transformation.

Over the years, Sohini has worked with a wide range of social change organisations on issues including local self-governance, the right to information, and land rights. She has extensive experience in strengthening the capacities of civil society actors, from grassroots communities to large networks and coalitions.

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Passionate about building a vibrant and resilient civil society, Sohini is known for her warm, inclusive, and reflective facilitation style. She creates learning spaces that encourage curiosity, trust, and meaningful growth.

Stefan is a Coach and Facilitator with 20 years of experience with international organisations, NGO, commercial and public sectors. He coaches individuals and leaders who want to see more authenticity, joy and direction in their lives. In organisations, Stefan works with the moderation method, facilitating processes in organizational development, team building and participative strategic planning.

Stefan is experienced in setting up training modules in the fields of inter-cultural communication and in the training of trainers. He is a skilled researcher with a postgraduate university degree (MA) in Sociology from the University of Hamburg.

Tesfaye holds a Doctor in Transformational Leadership/DTL in Entrepreneurial Organisational Transformation, MA in Organisational Leadership and BSc in Agricultural Economics. Previous to founding Sankofa Consultancy Service (SCS), he had worked with the government as well as NGOs in different leading positions. Tesfaye established SCS in 2014 and ever since he has been facilitating workshops and trainings on diverse topics such as change leadership, project cycle management, and organisational capacity assessment of CBOs.

Trang Nguyen holds a degree in Social Sciences and has worked with governmental and non-governmental organisations in India, Vietnam, and Germany — including GIGA Hamburg, GIZ, and Welthungerhilfe. Since joining CSA in 2015, she has moved from marketing and communications into facilitation, mentoring, and coaching, with a focus on resource mobilisation, communication, innovation, and social entrepreneurship.

In 2018, she co-developed CSA’s first fundraising and resource mobilisation curriculum, which has since reached hundreds of participants across Asia and Africa. Since 2019, Trang has played a key role in leading innovation processes and training workshops at CSA International. A creative and forward-thinking professional, she thrives on learning, sharing, and connecting.

In 2020, she became a professionally trained Life and Leadership Coach, further expanding her ability to support individuals and teams on their growth journeys.

Wubshet Ergetie is an Ethiopian expert with over 28 years of experience in the development, humanitarian, public, and business sectors. He specializes in organizational development, capacity building, and participatory approaches.

Wubshet has led major initiatives, including conducting an Organizational Capacity Assessment for 41 local CSOs across Ethiopia for Save the Children, with a focus on community engagement. He has worked extensively on social accountability projects, strengthening communities’ roles in public service delivery. Highly skilled in research, strategic management, and financial systems, Wubshet aspires to be a leader in promoting good governance and fighting poverty and injustice.