Note From the Chair
Welcome to the March edition of the INSSA Member Newsletter. This issue reflects both the realities our profession continues to face and the strength of the community that stands behind it.
Michael O’Neill opens this edition with thoughtful reflections on the evolving risks facing humanitarian and development actors and the role our profession plays in navigating them. In the pages that follow, you will see how INSSA continues to grow and connect our global community. We share updates to our leadership and governance, highlight opportunities to meet the community at the upcoming GISF conference in London, and feature resources such as the INSSA Insights podcast that support ongoing learning and exchange.
Above all, this newsletter is a reminder that INSSA is a community built through the generosity, expertise, and commitment of its members. Thank you for continuing to shape and strengthen this thriving professional community.
Warm regards,
Javeria Malik
Chair, INSSA Board of Directors
INSSA IN NUMBERS
Rick Morris (Executive Director)
Rick Morris enjoyed a distinguished career spanning more than four decades in corporate communications and public affairs consulting. A former President and CEO of Smith & Harroff, he now continues with the firm as Senior Counsel.
Chris Mayer (Board Member)
Chris is an independent consultant on National Security issues, with expertise on armed contractors in contingency operations and the growing prevalence of mercenary-like organizations.
Amaro Martins (Board Member)
Amaro is a PhD candidate and researcher specialising in security risk management. He has contributed to advancing research and practice in humanitarian security and organisational risk management.
Michael (Mike) Guarracino (Board Member)
Mike is the Founder of Grey Wolf Associates, LLC, and is widely recognised for managing complex programmes for law enforcement, homeland defence, and security clients.
Michael Garcia (Board Member)
Michael is a nationally recognized security expert with over forty years of experience as a Physical Security Specialist.
Shaun Bickley (Vice Chair – Advisory Council)
Shaun is a leading security risk management consultant and facilitator with more than 30 years’ experience in humanitarian access, security and crisis management.
Tara Arthur (Member – Advisory Council)
Tara is the CEO of Collective Security Group (CSG), a woman owned security risk management consultancy. She brings over a decade of experience supporting humanitarian and development organisations to navigate complex operational risks.
Elodie Leroy-Le Moigne (Member – Advisory Council)
Elodie is a senior security and crisis management professional with over 20 years of experience across humanitarian, military, and development sectors.
To learn more about our leadership and governance, please visit inssa.org/governance/
Reflections
Dear INSSA Member
Sadly, 2025 surpassed previous years as the deadliest year on record for aid workers, many of these deaths at the hands of state actors. The threats targeting human rights workers, journalists, and humanitarians have increased security, safety and reputational risks while severely limiting our capacity to mitigate the impact. The NGO security risk management profession is facing many challenges. We confront a world where conflicts, crises, climate-induced disasters and funding disruptions continue to relentlessly escalate, leaving countless people to bear the brunt of violence, hunger, illness and displacement.
To our INSSA members, please accept our sincere appreciation for the vital work you do to mitigate safety and security risks, enabling critical, often lifesaving programs in diverse and demanding operational environments. We recognize that reduced funding has had a significant personal and professional impact on many of our members. In the face of these challenges, INSSA is committed to improve support to our members, adapt to this dynamic environment, and seek your input to develop innovative solutions.
INSSA reaffirms our commitment to the importance of professional education and development, shared learning, and principled leadership. Your participation in INSSA, commitment of time and resources, and support strengthens our collective capacity and shared professional practice grounded in care and responsibility.
INSSA remains committed to leading the sector, elevating standards, and creating spaces for connection, learning and mutual support.
Michael O’Neill, INSSA Advisory Council
PLEASE DONATE TO INSSA
INSSA membership is free, and the Board of Directors are unpaid volunteers giving generously of their time and expertise. INSSA relies on generous donations from members and other supporters. Please consider making a donation to INSSA.
Meet INSSA in London
INSSA will be exhibiting at GISF Conference
Collective Strength Against Emerging Threats
Stop by our booth to learn about membership, connect with our team, and discover how you can support and engage with our community.
Date and Time: May 26-28, 2026
Location: 10 Union St, London SE1 1SZ, United Kingdom
INSSA Insights Podcast
INSSA Insights Podcast explores the security challenges shaping the humanitarian and development sectors. Hosted by Amaury Cooper, each episode brings conversations with experienced practitioners and thought leaders who share practical perspectives, lessons from the field, and approaches to strengthening security risk management.
Episodes are available on the INSSA YouTube channel.
