Board of Directors

Bill Hass served as President of UNASWCT from 2008 through 2018. He was also Vice-President of the U Thant Institute, and served on the National Council (formerly steering committee) of the UNA USA when it decided to merge with the UN Foundation. He held a variety of positions with the United Nations Headquarters in New York for over 30 years, mostly in news media related functions, and traveled extensively on assignment to Europe, Africa, Asia and Latin America.

He holds Bachelor's and Master's degrees from Northwestern University and the University of Connecticut, respectively, and did postgraduate work as a Fellow in Foreign Service at Georgetown University.

To contact Bill, call (203) 454-7685.

Marge Nieuwenhuis’ career in education spanned over 50 years as a teacher, guidance counselor and administrator K-12 at Weston High School and the the United Nations International School. She has escorted students to the UN, led community programs on International Women’s Day, Human Rights Day, UN Day and now is focused on collaborating with Model UN chapters. I also spear-head efforts to raise community awareness through social events such as “Meet and Greet” and work to establish links with local internationally-minded organizations.

Melinda McMillen has been a long time friend to the chapter and has had significant roles in jUNe Day. She is currently the Membership chair.

Michaela MacColl was a previous president of the UNA-USA SW CT chapter. She has chaired June Day for 20 years. A noted writer of historical fiction for children, Michaela has also been on the Board of Directors for the Westport Historical Society. She is also chair of the Town of Westport Hospitality Committee.

Karen has a passion for volunteering and contributing her services and energy with local and global communities. As a member of the United Nations Association of Southwest Connecticut, she has done advocacy supporting the values and the Sustainable Development goals the U.N. promotes. (Two years ago she designed the national handbook, still in use today!) Her other passions have been to work and learn with women living in extreme poverty with two NGO’s based Uganda, where she has traveled twice.

Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, she has been enriched with many opportunities to travel the world. Whether sailing the beautiful Pacific to Australia on a 32 foot boat, backpacking solo around Europe, or hiking along local trails in Connecticut, she enjoys any new opportunity to connect with the planet and new people.

Karen has a BFA from SUNY Purchase, and is currently working as a Creative Director.

Once upon a time, I was born in a land of OHANA where everyone are uncles, aunties and cousins. OHANA means family where nobody gets left behind. My dream is that the United Nations is the OHANA for the nations of the world.

My actions for a culture of peace range from engaging people in the Rotary values, principles and approaches to advocating for a world free of nuclear weapons by 2030 to prevent nuclear wars, the existential threat to civilization and human rights. In addition to being a UNA-USA member, I am a Rotarian and the NGO representative to the United Nations for Cities of Peace.

I am a product of my environment. I am grateful to be born and raised in Hawaii, the melting pot of diversity and inclusion. I hold a BA from Northwestern University and MBA from Michigan State University. I served in the U.S. Navy for eight years before leaving as a Lieutenant Commander. I lived in New York City for twenty years before moving to Westport, CT twenty years ago. I live in Southport, CT with my spouse, Barbara.

Drawing on her experience during her father’s tenure as Secretary General of the United Nations, Aye Aye Thant has given numerous talks on the work of the United Nations and the importance of education in promoting understanding of and respect for different cultures. She has worked for decades for democracy in Burma, founding “Emergency Relief Burma” in 1988 and Friends of Burma at Harvard in 1992. She published newsletters, seminars, symposia and cultural evenings together with a number of student organizations at Harvard.

A panelist at the Summit of Religious and Spiritual World Leaders at the United Nations in August 2000, she also participated in Yale University’s Forum on the UN Secretaries-General. In 2008, Aye Aye was appointed as a Special Representative of the Secretary-General Mr. Ban Ki-moon, on the Board of the United Nations Democracy Fund. She founded the U Thant Institute in Yangon, Myanmar in 2003 to reflect on her father’s vision of a world that espouses Internationalism, education for peace, tolerance and non-discrimination.

Aye Aye She has served as the President of the UNA-USA, South Western Connecticut Chapter, and as Chairman of the International Hospitality Committee of Fairfield County from 2002 to 2004. She received Outstanding Woman of Connecticut Award in 2003.

Derick has been involved with the UNA SWCT Chapter for 5 years. He has been an indispensable volunteer at the annual June Day as well as many guest speaker events.

Rob has been a long time volunteer with jUNe Day. He brings 30 years of experience in banking and payments to the chapter.