A small team with a big purpose
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Democracy is facing unprecedented challenges, and at the Alliance of Democracies, we are committed to standing on the frontlines of its defence.
Though our team is small, our ambition is boundless - we work tirelessly to support democratic voices, promote collaboration, and drive impact where it matters most.

Team

Jonas Parello-Plesner
Executive Director
Jonas oversees the overall management and fundraising efforts of our organization, including the annual Copenhagen Democracy Summit. With experience across global power centers—Washington, Beijing, and Brussels—he brings a deep understanding of international affairs.
He is a frequent commentator in both Danish and international media and contributes a regular column to Berlingske.

Maria Fogh Duelund
Chief Operating Officer
Maria oversees the daily operations of the Alliance of Democracies, managing everything from finance to human resources. With 15 years of leadership and general management experience across both the private sector and the military, she brings a unique perspective to her role.
A trained military interpreter in Russian and Serbian, Maria was deployed to Kosovo in 2003–2004 as part of NATO’s peace-support operation. She is a strong advocate for democracy, individual civil liberties, and the rule of law.

Richard Walakira
Senior Program Manager
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Board