Our People

Dr Hebe Verrest directs the Research Masters of Urban Studies program for the Department of Geography, Planning and International Development Studies at the University of Amsterdam. As a human geographer, her work focuses on urban development in the Global South, emphasising issues of vulnerability, inequality and exclusion. She has expertise on small and medium-sized cities...

Ginger Ekselman completed her research internship with the Global Compact Cities Programme in May 2012 as part of her Master of Social Science (International Development) at RMIT University. Ginger holds a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Social Work. She works as a Case Coordinator with Adult Migrant Education (AMES) in Melbourne. Ginger’s research project...

Adrian Thompson undertook his Global Compact Cities Programme internship as part of his Master of Social Science (International Development) at RMIT University. He has a Bachelor of Social Sciences (Sociology, Community Development) from Southern Cross University. Adrian has a long-standing interest in international development. He was a Volunteer Program Manager with Cambodian projects Make Every...

Margarita has held the positions of CEO of Medellin’s Urban Development agency, EDU 2012-2015; Secretary of Antioquia’s Physical Infrastructure for Integration and Development and Antioquia’s Manager of Highway Megaprojects 2004-2007; Director of Internal Control, Maintenance Manager and General Manager of Medellin’s railway, 1991-2004; Chief Distribution Officer and Technical Director of Medellin’s Metropolitan Institute of Appraisal...

Angela Shen is currently undertaking a communication internship at Global Compact Cities Programme while studying a Bachelor of Communication at RMIT University. Prior to joining the Cities Programme, Angela volunteered for multiple organisations, most notably as the Director of Marketing and Communication at AIESEC in RMIT, an organisation that strives to develop leadership in youths...