The International Association for Democracy (IAD) is led by a diverse team dedicated to promoting and defending democratic values worldwide. Experts in technology, economics, and international relations drive its strategic direction. Specialists in history, politics, and security shape its policies. IAD has grown into a dynamic organisation over 50 active volunteers.
Our Board and Trustees
Strade Cadillay
Co-Director & Treasurer
Biography
Strade works at HSBC leading new technology initiatives, and has a background in economics and software development. He is a volunteer Police Officer in the Metropolitan Police, where he was elected Chair of the Special Constable’s training committee, which follows his volunteering as a First Aid Responder with St John Ambulance. Strade is passionate about the positive impact that IAD can make in promoting democracy around the world and at every level, from the grassroots and up through to policy-making. His focus is on enhancing the vision for IAD, developing the strategies and projects to get there, and cultivating the values that inspire our teams to be their best and empower them to work together towards our mission.
Charles Cooper
Co-Director
Biography
Charles has a master’s degree in International Relations and Security, and a background in policy research and publishing, Charles joined IAD in response to his growing concern over increasing authoritarianism around the globe and the apparent retreat of democratic values. Charles is focused on working with the public relations department to advance democratic ideals in the public square and in policy-making.
Oriana Chirinos
Secretary
Biography
Oriana is originally from Venezuela, has a background in Law and holds a master’s degree in Security and International Law from Manchester University. Oriana currently works for an NGB in the UK and where she also is the Chair of the EDI network in the organisation. She is passionate about Human Rights and joined IAD as a way to pursue her passion to speak up about situations that people may encounter in countries where democracy is lacking.
Claire Fawcett
Teams Continuity Manager
Biography
Claire is controls manager in a global bank with over ten years experience. A social anthropology and politics graduate from Queen’s University, Belfast, she lives in the Northern Ireland countryside. Claire became involved with IAD when she perceived the erosion of democracy across the world and wanted to using her professional skills to help prioritise and protect democratic values for all.
Core Team
Vincent Busch
Design Lead
Biography
Vincent studies Communication, Multimedia and Game Design in the Netherlands.
With a lifelong interest in geopolitical developments and a strong belief in a democratic world order and liberal values, he perceives a need to counteract contemporarily rising authoritarian threats to freedom and human rights. Because of that he joined a pan-European federalist party in 2019, and is now helping the IAD find its way to the spotlight.
Roman de Prez
Social Media Lead
Biography
Roman is based in Edinburgh and has a background in Social Anthropology and Politics. During this time he focused his studies on the psycho-social realm of politics, writing his undergraduate dissertation on the effects of social media and shortening attention spans on democratic health. Leading IAD’s social media team, Roman feels honoured to have an international platform to inform and promote democracy in a healthy and accessible manner.
IAD’s Founders
Valeria Borta
Oliver St. John
Oliver and Valeria founded the International Association for Democracy (IAD) in February 2022, motivated by a deep concern over the growing threats to democracy worldwide. These threats included the passage of the Hong Kong national security law, Maduro’s election fraud in Venezuela, the erosion of the rule of law and democratic values in Hungary and Poland, and Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.
From February 2022 to November 2024, Valeria and Oliver served as Co-Directors of IAD. Under their leadership, IAD grew to include 50 active volunteers, achieved incorporation as a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO), and established a strong organisational structure with professionalised teams. They oversaw the launch of impactful public awareness and lobbying campaigns, the growth of IAD’s social media following to over 9 thousand, and made significant strides in advancing the organisation’s mission to defend and promote democracy.