Our team
Natallia Allen
Co-Director
Natallia, co-founder of MigAct, leads fundraising efforts and co-directs program design, strategic development, and impact evaluation. With over a decade of experience in civil society organizations in the Czech Republic and internationally, she offers expertise in civic participation, NGO management, education, and migration-focused projects. Driven by her own migration journey, Natallia is dedicated to advancing civil society development and enabling meaningful participation, especially for marginalized communities.
Contact: natallia@migact.net
Mónica Márquez
Co-Director
As co-founder of MigAct, I co-lead strategic planning, development, and program design while leading our community-building efforts. With over 15 years of experience in the Czech civil society sector, I’ve organized cultural festivals and community events, led workshops, and contributed to social initiatives both locally and internationally. My background in social communication and intercultural work, along with my ongoing studies in socio-cultural anthropology, allows me to bring a unique perspective shaped by my upbringing outside the Western context. I believe deeply in the power of collaboration, community, and civic engagement. Outside of work, I enjoy long walks in nature, journaling, meditating, watching films, playing
Contact: monica@migact.net
Marina Puzdrova
Co-Lead of Operations and Development
Marina is one of the co-founders of MigAct, where she is responsible for organizational development and operations. With more than ten years of experience in civil society development and democracy assistance, she has worked on projects across Eastern Europe, the South Caucasus, the Western Balkans, Russia, and Burma. Her long-term focus is on creating capacity-building programs for activists from diverse backgrounds. In addition, she is committed to advocating for civil society development and human rights topics on national and international levels.
Contact: marina@migact.net
Leslie Nicholson
Co-Lead of Volunteer Coordination and Member Relations
I am a co-founder of MigAct, where I co-lead Volunteer coordination and member relations. I am a community networker. I enjoy fostering and nurturing connections in my community. I am also the current co-VP of the International Women’s Association of Prague. I bring an extensive knowledge of volunteering recruitment and management. I believe volunteering plays a crucial role in creating positive social impact and addressing community needs. When not working, you will find me singing or directing my choir, an International Women’s Choir, spending time with my dogs, Bo & Toby, or traveling with my husband Mike.
Contact: leslie@migact.net
Suzanne Verhaar
Social Media Manager
I have joined MigAct to help spread its important message: our society thrives when individuals with migration backgrounds actively participate in civil life and are recognized for the wealth of knowledge, experience, and energy they contribute. When I arrived in Prague, bringing a background in Russian Studies, Political Science, and a decade-long career in Railway Management, I discovered not only the joy but also the necessity of active civic engagement. This journey has profoundly enriched me, allowing me to grow as a person and find stability in an uncertain world. I hope to inspire others to explore these opportunities and connect with the wider global community. I am a freelancer working at the intersection of business administration, project management, and social development. In my free time, I enjoy hiking, cycling, exploring new languages, and diving into historical studies and novels.
Contact: suzanne@migact.net
Justyna Janowska
Co-Founder and MigAct member
Justyna is one of the co-founders of MigAct where they are involved in strategic development of the organization. Besides that Justyna teaches self-defense, and workshops on inclusion, interculturality and tackling prejudices at schools. They also coordinate micro-grants program at the Integration center Prague. Justyna has been involved in activist groups for several years supporting human rights of various vulnerable groups (women’s rights, workers rights and empowerment of LGBTQ+ community with special focus on migrants and refugees). They like bringing joy to civic engagement, dancing, walking in nature and empowering themselves and others.
Contact: justyna@migact.net
Daniel Mitev
Multimedia Designer, MigAct member
Daniel is a multidisciplinary designer who has been an integral part of MigAct since its inception, contributing significantly to the visual department. From creating PR materials to designing and developing the website, Daniel’s expertise has been instrumental in shaping MigAct’s visual identity. With over six years in the creative industry, Daniel is passionate about crafting both static and motion visuals that effectively communicate the message. His extensive experience spans collaborations with clients of various sizes, including small companies, large corporations, and both governmental and non-governmental organizations. Notable clients include UNICEF, OSCE, and the Government of North Macedonia, among others.
Contact: hi@danielmevit.com
Ben Curtis
MigAct member
Benjamin Curtis, PhD, is a writer and researcher originally from the USA. He conducts analysis, evaluation, and behavioral insights projects for governments, international organizations, and NGOs. He previously worked for the British government and was for many years a professor at Seattle University in the United States. Civic engagement is central to his career and personal vision for what makes a healthy society. With MigAct, he leads on evaluation, and contributes in many other areas including fundraising, strategic development, project design, and trainings. His hobbies include classical music and hiking through the Czech mountains.
Oleksandra Fadieieva
MigAct member
Oleksandra is actively involved in strategic development of the organization. Oleksandra is an entrepreneur, fundraiser, and strategic planning consultant. She lived in Ukraine and after the war started she was relocated with her family to the Czech Republic. Oleksandra assisted projects with social impact, social businesses and startups in early stages, and worked in state and non-governmental organizations. Now she’s a head of a magazine “Business Woman” in Czech Republic and provides active support for women leadership and youth projects. In her spare time Alex teaches people about project design, fundraising and business planning.
Tereza Šemberová
Financial manager
Contact: tereza@migact.net
Madylin Eberstein
Volunteer intern
Madylin is a volunteer intern and master’s student at Charles University’s Faculty of Social Sciences. Her studies in European Politics and Society led her to MigAct, where she has been able to implement classroom learning into hands-on extra-democratic praxis within her community. With MigAct, she contributes mainly to web design and development, occupying additional support roles as necessary.