Ann Allen Encontre

I am a CEDR accredited civil and commercial mediator, a lawyer and former Director of Ethics for the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR). With over three decades of experience in international humanitarian affairs, I have dedicated my career to upholding justice, ethical leadership and conflict resolution. Now retired from UNHCR, I split my time between in the British Virgin Islands, France and Geneva, Switzerland and continue to apply my expertise in mediation and legal consultancy.

My journey began in public service in the British Virgin Islands where I worked in the Attorney General’s Chambers before assuming key roles as Registrar of the High Court and Register of Births, Deaths and Marriages. Seeking to make a broader impact, I transitioned to the United Nations where I played a pivotal role in managing complex emergencies, shaping policy and championing humanitarian law.

Throughout my three-decade tenure with the UNHCR, I led operations in some of the world’s most challenging environments serving as Country Representative in Djibouti,  Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Ethiopia. I later assumed the role of Director of UNHCR’s Ethics Office, reinforcing the organization’s core values and promoting a culture of integrity and accountability.

With a law degree from the University of the West Indies (Cave Hill Campus, Barbados) and legal certification from the Norman Manley Law School (Jamaica), I bring a wealth of expertise in conflict resolution, international humanitarian and refugee law, policy analysis, and coordination of humanitarian assistance. Additionally, my experience extends to estate planning, community development, and social services.

Now, as a mediator and legal expert, I remain committed to fostering dialogue, resolving disputes, and guiding individuals and organizations toward ethical and effective solutions.

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