WAFUNIF Officers
Mrs. Liliana Bucur Cress has a M.Sc. in International Affairs & Planning (2008) from HUNTER College of the City University of New York (CUNY) and a B.Sc. in Sciences and Letters (2004) from the University of Petru Maior (UPM) Romania. She has also studied International Finance and Banking at the Investment Banking Institute of NYC (2012).
Mrs. Cress has worked as a Research Specialist in projects for the City Government of New York City in the Office of the Mayor's Commission for the United Nations Consular Corps and Protocol. She worked as well as a Research Specialist in Community Development for PPAF (Public Private Alliance Foundation) at the United Nations.
At the United Nations Headquarters under WAFUNIF (The World Association of Former United Nations Internes and Fellows) she was an Intern, a Research Fellow and a Director at Large on International Affairs and Planning since 2008. In 2018 she became the President of WAFUNIF.
Her work at the United Nations is related with integrating development and financing of projects where the stakeholders are NGOs, Public and Private organizations in the fields of education, peace and disarmament, environmental protection and financing for development of communities in need through technology and financing.
She has worked on different projects in Japan, China, South Korea, as well as in Viet Nam, Laos and Cambodia in South East Asia; Mexico, Central America and in South America in Venezuela, Colombia, Brazil.
Furthermore, she has also represented WAFUNIF in ongoing events at the UN and in larger events such as the "Rio+20" in Brazil, "The Peace, Disarmament and Development Conference" in Mexico and organized events at the UNHQ such as "Science, Technology, Music and Health", "Telematics International Concert for Peace", "International Conference on Eco-Drive - Global Environment, Carbon Reduction and Eco-Drive", "Celebrate Earth: Sustainable Development, Yoga and Meditation", "Women's Leadership Advancing the Culture of Peace" and many more.
Mr. Qing Feng Yue began his engagement with global affairs in 1994 as the first self-supported intern from China at the United Nations — a pioneering step that reflected both vision and determination. During his tenure, he received specialized training in United Nations systems, diplomacy, and peacemaking through United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and the World Association of Former United Nations Interns and Fellows (WAFUNIF). While serving within the UN environment, he contributed innovative ideas aimed at strengthening WAFUNIF’s institutional operations and alumni engagement worldwide.
From 2005 to 2010, Mr. Yue served as Assistant Treasurer of WAFUNIF, overseeing financial management and contributing to strategic planning during a period of organizational transformation and growth. His leadership helped reinforce WAFUNIF’s capacity to expand its social and developmental impact across its global network of former UN interns and fellows.
In parallel, Mr. Yue built a successful career in international commerce, leading an import-export enterprise from 1996 to 2018 that facilitated trade and business cooperation between the United States and China. His professional experience uniquely bridges multilateral diplomacy and private-sector engagement, strengthening cross-cultural and economic collaboration.
A longstanding advocate for peace and youth empowerment, Mr. Yue has led numerous exchange initiatives connecting young professionals from China and the United States, including engagement within UN-related frameworks. He continues to mentor emerging global leaders, drawing upon decades of experience in multilateral affairs and international partnership building.
As a minister and peace messenger, he actively promotes dialogue, reconciliation, and sustainable development. He is the author of Resurrected: The Journey of Miracles, a reflective account of resilience and faith throughout his personal and professional journey.
With deep institutional knowledge of the United Nations system and a proven record in global business leadership, Mr. Yue advances WAFUNIF’s mission to cultivate principled leadership, international cooperation, and a more just, equitable, and peaceful world.
Board of Directors
Martin Bohner is the Curators' Distinguished Professor of Mathematics and Statistics at Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla, Missouri, USA. He received the BS (1989) and MS (1993) in Econo-mathematics and PhD (1995) from University Ulm, Germany, and MS (1992) in Applied Mathematics from San Diego State University. He was a Postdoc, sponsored by the Alexander von Humboldt-Foundation, at National University of Singapore (1997) and at San Diego State University (1998). Martin Bohner is a Past President of ISDE, the International Society of Difference Equations. His research interests center around differential, difference, and dynamic equations as well as their applications to economics, finance, biology, physics, and engineering. He is the author of seven textbooks and more than 350 publications, Editor-in-Chief of three international journals, and Associate Editor for almost 100 international journals. His work has been cited almost 20000 times in the literature, including more than 5000 citations of his book "Dynamic Equations on Time Scales: An Introduction with Applications", co-authored with Professor Allan Peterson. His h-index is 64, and his i10-index is 240. Professor Bohner is the recipient of the 2021 Obada Prize. His honors at Missouri S&T include five Faculty Excellence Awards, one Faculty Research Award, and nine Teaching Awards.
Ms. Brittany Smiley is a flight-certified critical care paramedic with the Saint Charles County Ambulance District. She earned her paramedic and critical care certifications through the same district and is currently furthering her education to advance into leadership and peer support roles. Over the past several years, she has mentored and trained paramedics and paramedic interns. Brittany graduated with honors from Paine College in Augusta, GA, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and was a member of the Alpha Kappa Delta International Sociology Honor Society. She is a strong advocate for volunteering, having participated as a Big Sister in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. Additionally, she has organized and assisted with various fundraisers for multiple communities and organizations, including Life Saver CPR and Breast Cancer Awareness initiatives. A lifelong athlete, Brittany attended college on a basketball scholarship and has continued her passion by volunteering as a youth basketball coach for several years. She is a dedicated supporter of mental health safety and community support, always striving to give back whenever and wherever possible. She also leads by example through her commitment to exercise and a healthy lifestyle.
Rachel Faye Webb is a graduate of Norfolk State University and earned her Juris Doctor from Howard University School of Law. She began her legal career in New York in insurance defense litigation and now primarily practices in general litigation, representing clients in a wide range of complex matters. With a dedication to sharp advocacy and client-focused solutions, Rachel has established herself as a committed and versatile attorney. She is an active member of the New York City Bar Association and the Metropolitan Black Bar Association, where she engages in professional development, mentorship, and community initiatives. Through her legal practice and her involvement with WAFUNIF, Rachel is committed to advancing justice, equity, and global cooperation in alignment with the mission of the United Nations.